Blasphemy Law: Coming a full circle

Blasphemy Law: Coming a full circle

by BUSHRA S on October 14th, 2011 |

It was bound to happen. When you have a vaguely worded law with so many loopholes, and a clergy hell bent on defining religion in asphyxiating, rigid boundaries, its supporters and enablers were bound to get scorched themselves. The law was eventually going to come and bite them in the back and that is exactly what happened two weeks ago.

According to the news story, a student of a religious seminary in Chakwal, Junaid Ahmad was arrested for being blasphemous. He was apparently seen burning pages of Quran a week ago, was beaten by a crowd and handed over to the police. Ironically, however, a shaken and frightened Junaid claimed that he was in reality disposing off Quran’s loose pages to save them from desecration.

The story behind Junaid’s action was simple enough. His teacher, who belongs to Tehrik Khuddam Ahl-i-Sunnat, had told him that burning Quranic pages was a legitimate way of disposing them along with putting them in flowing water (stream etc) and burying them. As he was unable to find the other two options, Junaid resorted to the third one. It was just his luck that the man who saw him as he set the pages on fire had heard from another cleric that burning the Quran amounted to desecrating it. What followed is an ominous reminder of sharply converging, and rigid, interpretations among various schools of religious thought.

Diversity, whether religious or cultural, is always a good thing. But here, this diversity of belief within sects and sub-sects is stamped with unflinching righteousness, intolerance, and violent knee-jerk reactions. Leaving the organised sectarianism between Shias and Sunnis aside, these widely varying interpretations in such an environment result in friction and veiled hatred towards other sects within one’s circle. In such a situation, incidents like the one in Chakwal are in reality a mere prelude to what can follow. One of the most obvious possibilities, while remaining within the ambit of law, is the misuse of the blasphemy law against those who are fanatically in favour of it.

This misuse has already started albeit it is infrequent at the moment. In January this year, an imam and his son from Dera Ghazi Khan were convicted for life for committing blasphemy. They were accused of ripping posters from outside their grocery shop which advertised an event to observe Eid Milad un Nabi (the birth and death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad). There was strong speculation that the issue was not of blasphemy but difference of belief. The Deobandi philosophy, to which the imam and his son prescribed, do not believe in commemorating such days. So where the incident might have simply been that of removing a poster from their personal property, it was forcefully catapulted in the sphere of intentional blasphemy.

The problem, boiled down to its essence, is this: In all this ritualistic madness, this manic obsession with the act rather than the intention behind it, these “men of faith” have lost the plot. And that is an under-statement. Here school girls are ostracised for misplacing a dot in a word. Doctors are locked up for throwing away a person’s visiting card who shared the prophet’s name. People are persecuted for greeting others in Arabic language. Supporters of blasphemy laws obsessively defend its need to deter people from taking the law in their own hands; but when a man defies this very logic and kills a sitting governor whom he had taken an oath to protect, they cheer and holler themselves hoarse in his support.

So far, most of the victims of these laws are minorities and those belonging to lower and lower-middle income groups. But it won’t remain the same forever. With ferocious intolerance being allowed to breed unchecked in our country, it was only a matter of time before the factions started using this law to target religious rivals at will.

Right now a broad spectrum of religious right is united in its defence of murderer Mumtaz Qadri. Their slogans, demonstrative of their tunnel-minded support for his actions, should be deafening alarm bells for the rest of us.

It is a matter of time before these stout believers, momentarily united in their hate against “liberal fascists”, turn on each other. With such varied interpretations of religion, how will the courts interpret criteria of blasphemy? Will they take the easiest way out and just continue sentencing people in the hope the High Courts will correct the injustice? Will these cowardly actions really serve as a long-term pre-emptive solution or will the religious factions soon interlock horns?

If there is a legal or public showdown between people of different beliefs, the result will be more bloody, brutal and long drawn out than we can imagine. With all sides equally sure of their virtue and willing to die or kill for it, there might not be anyone standing at the end.

On a sardonic note, that will work out just right for the rest of the country.

Bushra S is an editor based in Lahore and can be found conversing on twitter here

©2011 DAWN Media Group. All rights reserved
URL: www.dawn.com/2011/10/14/blasphemy-law-coming-a-full-circle.html

HRCP condemns denial of relief to Ahmedis

Date: 20 August 2010

HRCP condemns denial of relief to Ahmedis

The HRCP is shocked by reports that government officials and local clerics have refused to provide shelter to around 500 flood-affected Ahmedi families from Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur districts

Lahore, August 20: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed serious concern over the murder of two Ahmedis in the last three days and over reports of denial of shelter to members of the Ahmedi community displaced by massive floods in South Punjab, and has called upon the government to take urgent measures to ensure there is no discrimination on the basis of belief and that assistance and protection are not denied to a community that faces specific threats.

In a statement issued on Friday, HRCP said: “The unrelenting targeted killings of members of the Ahmedi community by extremists is a poor reflection on the State’s obligation to protect the lives of all subjects. This week, the murder of an Ahmedi in Sanghar and another, a doctor, in Karachi only highlights the impunity the perpetrators of such heinous crimes enjoy. Only bringing the culprits to justice and promoting tolerance in society would bring an end to these senseless killings and would give the Ahmedi community confidence that they can lead peaceful lives as equal citizens of Pakistan.

The HRCP is also shocked by reports that government officials and local clerics have refused to provide shelter to around 500 flood-affected Ahmedi families from Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur districts.

The Commission has noted with extreme concern reports of lack of provision of relief goods to the flood-affected Ahmedi families, expulsion of displaced Ahmedis from a government school in Dera Ghazi Khan and from rented lodgings elsewhere in South Punjab following clerics’ pressure as well as the issuance of edicts by clerics that the affected Ahmedis must not be provided help.

HRCP reiterates the urgent need for distribution of relief goods and extension of other support to the affected people without any discrimination on the basis of faith or gender. The fact that the Ahmedis are a vulnerable community on account of their religious beliefs must lead to specific assistance and protection measures for them, including protection of their lives and property.

The extensive scale of displacement and destruction by the massive floods has understandably stretched the resources of the government to their very limits. However, it is hoped that whatever little is available from any source will be distributed among those in need without discrimination on the basis of religious belief. It would be a greater tragedy than the devastation caused by the floods if the people cannot find enough humanity and compassion in their hearts to rise above personal biases to help without distinction fellow human beings that are in desperate need of help.”

Dr Mehdi Hasan
Chairperson

URL: http://www.hrcp-web.org/showprel.asp?id=158

Inhuman acts

Editorial

Inhuman acts

Editorial
August 19, 2010

Emergencies are a time when the best of man – and the very worst – comes out into the open. In southern Punjab, where leaders of the Ahmadi community say relief goods or a place in camps was denied to flood victims from their faith, the worst has been on display. The treatment of Ahmadis as sub-human is a consequence of years of discrimination stemming from that fateful decision in the 1970s to declare them ‘non-Muslim’. The result of the state’s decision to determine what belief people practice, regardless of their own assertions, has been catastrophic. The massacre of Ahmadis we saw earlier this year in Lahore is one outcome of this. The increasingly vicious campaigns they have faced have obviously had an influence on poisoning minds and influencing the kind of disgraceful behaviour we have seen following the floods.

But sadly, this is not the only example of such conduct. Humanitarian workers out in the field report many examples of bias. In some cases aid has been denied to those from specific castes or clans; in other instances the weakest and most vulnerable have been pushed aside. Christians in the Punjab are reported to have complained about discrimination and it is possible other minority communities have faced similar experiences. While most international and all UN organisations are bound by their own charter to ensure equitable distribution of aid, and usually attempt to follow them, local organisations may not have rules that are as stringent. Some reports already speak of groups affiliated to religious parties being behind some of the worst acts of deprivation on the basis of belief.

So, what does this say about us as a people? As a society? Do we even deserve the distinction of calling ourselves civilised human beings? It is true that the government for now has a lot on its plate. But despite this, an effort must be made to investigate the incidents in Muzaffargarh and elsewhere. It seems obvious they could not have taken place without the connivance of local authorities, who must be made to answer for their acts.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2010.

URL: http://tribune.com.pk/story/40608/inhuman-acts/

Minorities denied flood relief in Pakistan

Wed. 18 Aug 2010

Pakistan

Minorities denied flood relief in Pakistan

First Published: 23:54 IST(18/8/2010)
Last Updated: 02:38 IST(19/8/2010)Imtiaz Ahmad, Hindustan Times
Karachi, August 18, 2010

Earlier this week, members of Pakistan’s Ahmadiyya community, who were caught up in the raging floods around the Central Punjab town of Muzaffargarh, were not rescued from their homes because rescuers felt that Muslims must be given priority. Ahmadiyyas are ostracized by Pakistan’s mainstream Muslim community who consider them to be non-believers. In 1973, this community was officially declared a minority. Since then the discrimination against them has been severe.

The Ahmadiyyas complained to the government that not only were their community members not rescued but in some instances ejected from relief camps when their identity was disclosed. This has been refuted by the provincial Punjab government but eye witnesses have attested to this.

As the waters recede and people flock to relief camps and look for help, Pakistan’s power politics have come into play whereby chosen areas are being helped at the expense of others which are being completely ignored. Hamir Soomro, a landlord from Shikarpur, one of the most badly affected districts in Sindh, says that his area is not receiving government help, which is instead going to Khairpur, the constituency of the province’s Chief Minister, Qaim Ali Shah.

The UN says that the government suffers from a “image deficit” problem. “In plain words, they don’t trust the ability of the government to deliver,” says Mian Nawaz Sharif, opposition leader.

Earlier this week, Sharif met with Prime Minister Gilani and both agreed to the formation of a “clean commission” - comprising people of integrity, to oversee distribution of funds for for flood relief. The idea did not go down well with President Zardari whose office has blocked the move on grounds that the government is fully in control.

But the UN and donor agencies dont think so. They have pointed out that the government has no relief plan and is also unable to make an estimate of what is needed where. As a result, the situation has turned dire in many neglected or inaccessible areas.

In Kohistan, there are reports the five children died of starvation because help had not arrived.

Members of the Sikh community, who arrived in Gurdwaras in Lahore also complained of government apathy. They said members of their community were abandoned in Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa and had to arrange rescue for themselves.

Copyright © 2010 HT Media Limited. All Rights Reserved

URL: www.hindustantimes.com/Minorities-denied-flood-...ticle1-588673.aspx

The politics of relief: Aliens in their own land

Pakistan Punjab

The politics of relief: Aliens in their own land

By Abdul Manan
August 18, 2010

500 flood survivors from Ahmadiya community denied shelter, relief goods

MUZAFFARABAD: The government and local clerics refused to shelter around 500 flood-affected families belonging to the Ahmadiya community in South Punjab’s relief camps. Not only that, the government also did not send relief goods to the flood-hit areas belonging to the Ahmadiya community, The Express Tribune has learnt during a visit to the devastated Punjab districts of Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur.

For its part, the government claims that all relief goods are being distributed among survivors without discrimination. And that all survivors have been sheltered in relief camps without distinction. The flood-devastated families from the Ahmadiya community have strongly criticised the government’s “discriminatory attitude” even at a time when the entire country is reeling from the ravages of the worst flooding in living memory.

Of the 500 Ahmadi families, 350 belong to DG Khan, 60 to Muzaffargarh and 65 to Rajanpur district. According to Ahmadiya community leaders, over 2,500 members of their community have been displaced and are now living with their relatives while some of them have left for Rabwah, the community’s headquarters.

Aziz Ahmad Khan, a local leader of flood victims from the Ahmadiya community in DG Khan, told The Express Tribune that all members of his family have complained of discrimination in DG Khan. He said 200 families from Basti Rindan and Basti Sohrani, 60 from Chah Ismaeel Wala, three from Rakh Mor Jangi, 18 from Ghazi Ghat and 12 from Jhakar Imam Shah of Ahmadpur. Khan alleged that 200 families, who have been displaced from Basti Rindan and Basti Sohrani by flooding, took shelter in a state-run school at Jhok Utra but within days the local administration forced them to leave the school. He said the local administration later told them that people from the surrounding areas did not want the Ahmadis in the relief camp. And that the administration could not allow them to stay at the camp as it could create a law and order situation.

“So we left our cattle and other belongings in the area and took refuge in the homes of our community members on higher grounds,” he said, adding that some of them even migrated to Chanabnagar.

Muhammad Iqbal Sohrani, a member of the Ahmadiya community told The Express Tribune that around 40 Ahmadi families who took shelter in a state-run school at Jhakar Imam Shah near Sumandri, some 40 kilometres from DG Khan, have not received any relief either from philanthropists or from the government. He alleged that relief packages were being distributed through local lawmakers who have been told by the district administration that the Ahmadis are not eligible for any support.

Saleem Chandia, another Ahmadiya community member, said that he along with 40 other community members rented a house but after two days their landlord was forced by local clerics to evict them. Chandia said they were offered help by their own community members after wandering for several days in search of shelter.

Mansoor Ahmad, a resident of Muzaffargarh, told The Express Tribune that over 800 members of the Ahmadiya community were displaced from Bait Nasirabad, Masroornagar, Hussainwala and Shahjamal. At least 100 members of the community, from Hussainwala and Masroorabad, were trapped at Shahjamal. He claimed that they had asked the district police officer (DPO) and the district coordination officer (DCO) to provide them a boat or to rescue the trapped people but they did not take notice.

Ahmad claimed that the trapped Ahmadis were rescued by their fellows on a broken boat. He said local clerics have issued an edict that the Ahmadis should not be provided help.

Naseem Ahmad, from Rajanpur, told The Express Tribune that their 500 community members from the areas of Basti Lashari, Basti Allahdad Dareeshak and from Basti Azizabad were displaced. Their houses were washed away and the government and local clerics ignored them. He said that they were not allowed to stay in state-run schools or in camps, therefore the majority of them were living on the rooftops of their inundated houses.

“The Ahmadiya community itself rescued trapped people and delivered relief to them,” community spokesperson Saleem-ul-Din told The Express Tribune by phone.

He said that the community did not want any relief package from the government for its members. However, the government should protect the property and livestock of the Ahmadis.

Hassan Iqbal, Commissioner DG Khan, told The Express Tribune that he would check the situation. He asked the Ahmadis to directly approach him if they face discrimination anywhere in the district. However, DCO Muzaffargarh Farasat Iqbal said that the Ahmadis have not contacted him.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2010.

URL: http://tribune.com.pk/story/40435/the-politics-of-relief-aliens-in-their-own-land/

False detention of Ahmadi Children in degrading conditions continues

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful
International Press and Media Desk
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International
22 Deer Park, London, SW19 3TL
Tel / Fax (44) 020 8544 7613 Mobile (44) 077954 90682
Email: press@ahmadiyya.org.uk
Web: Alislam.org

6 May 2009

PRESS RELEASE

FALSE DETENTION OF AHMADI CHILDREN IN DEGRADING CONDITIONS CONTINUES

As reported previously four Ahmadi children and one adult were arrested on blasphemy charges in District Layyah Pakistan on 28th January 2009 (FIR No 46/09). Over three months later they continue to be falsely imprisoned in conditions that are unsanitary and inhumane.

The accused, Muhammad Irfan (14), Tahir Imran (16), Tahir Mehmood (14), Naseer Ahmad (14) and Mr Mubashar Ahmed (45) are accused of writing the name of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) on the walls of a toilet at a local mosque. Despite the complete lack of any incriminating evidence they continue to be detained on ‘judicial remand’ which has been extended a number of times by a local judge on request from the police.

Living Conditions

Although arrested in District Layyah the accused are all being held at a prison in the distant city of DG Khan. The authorities are making it extremely difficult for any of the children to be visited by members of their family and the fact that they are being held in DG Khan makes access even more problematic.

The four children accused are being detained in one cell. The only adult Mr Mubashar Ahmed is being kept in a separate cell and the children are not allowed to see him. The children are kept in the cell continuously twenty four hours a day. Due to the hot weather the cells become extremely hot but there are no fans present or any other means of cooling. Muhammad Irfan is suffering with typhoid whilst Mr Mubashar Ahmed suffers with severe asthma.

Education of children

It goes without saying that the education of the four children is gravely suffering. Muhammad Irfan has been expelled by his school on the basis of these charges without any internal investigation. The other children who were due sit their important Matriculation examinations had to prepare and indeed sit the exam whilst in prison. Their further educational and professional careers are dependent upon the results of these exams.

Lack of due process

The arrest and detention of the accused have been conducted contrary to the very laws under which they are charged. According to the rules regulating section 295-C of the Pakistani Penal Code, police officials, not less in rank the a senior superintendent, are obligated to thoroughly investigate accusations of blasphemy before presenting criminal charges. However due to the pressure of extremist Muslim groups this process was completely ignored.

Sometime after the arrests were made the senior superintendent of police (SSP) of another district, Mr Pervez Rathore, was assigned to conduct an investigation into the matter. Following investigation the SSP found that charges were completely false and that the accused ought to be immediately released. This report was sent to the relevant authorities at the end of March 2009 yet it has been conveniently ignored as a result of pressure from Mullahs.

External Reports

A number of respected organisations and individuals have highlighted the case of the Ahmadis arrested in District Layyah. The arrests have been condemned by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan; Asma Jahangir the UN Special Rapporteur and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Furthermore the Asian Human Rights Commission earlier today issued an Urgent Appeal regarding the matter. Commenting upon the situation faced by the accused it states:

“They are in dangerous health conditions in the jail and their parents are not allowed to visit them according to jail policy. One, Mohammad Irfan son of Mukhtar Ahmed, 15 years of age came down with typhoid fever due to the jail’s inhuman, unsanitary conditions. His health is in a precarious state with the jail authorities not allowing him to see a doctor. The detention of the four children has been proved illegal. The senior police officer has submitted a report to the government of Punjab province that the children are innocent and charges of blasphemy as arrested, accused persons are baseless. It is reported that the government of Punjab did not want to annoy Muslim fundamentalists, who are allies of the provincial government, as they will create problems for the government.”

(Full report available at: http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2009/3150/)

The International Community is urged to take urgent action in an effort to secure the release of the five accused Ahmadi Muslims. The International Media is also urged to highlight the abuse of due legal process and of basic human rights that this case highlights.

End of Release

Further Info: Abid Khan (press @ ahmadiyya.org.uk / 07795490682)

Update on situation in District Layyah, Pakistan

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful
International Press and Media Desk
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International
22 Deer Park, London, SW19 3TL
Tel / Fax (44) 020 8544 7613 Mobile (44) 077954 90682
Email: press@ahmadiyya.org.uk
Web: Alislam.org

6 February 2009

PRESS RELEASE

UPDATE ON SITUATION IN DISTRICT LAYYAH, PAKISTAN

Further to Press Releases issued on 30th January and 2nd February 2009. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that the situation in District Layyah, Pakistan continues to deteriorate. Although there are elements within the local community who are supportive of the Jamaat, the pressure of the local Mullahs is such that the situation is becoming increasingly tense.

The four children arrested by the authorities on fabricated charges under section 295-C of the Pakistani Penal Code were moved to Dera Ghazi District Jail on 4th February. Even though they have been in custody for over a week they continue to be denied access to Jamaat officials and to their family. An official at the Jail has said that some limited access to family will be granted in the near future however until such meetings actually occur, doubt remains.
A natural consequence of the continued detention of the children is that they are falling behind in their studies. They are all due to sit exams in one month and therefore are all concerned at their lack of preparation and schooling.

In a further worrying move the local Mullahs have announced that a large scale rally will be held at Chak TDA/172 in opposition to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. It is more than likely that this event will be used to incite hatred against the Jamaat and to urge people to act against Ahmadis. The organisers of this event are inviting people from nearby cities such as Dera Isamael Khan and Muzafergarh to take part in this rally. The local authorities and police are seriously concerned about the event which they fear they will be unable to control.

Ahmadi Muslims throughout the world are urged to write to their local media and officials in protest of what is happening in District Layyah.

The International Community is once again urged to take immediate action.

End of Release

Further info: Abid Khan, (press@ahmadiyya.org.uk / (44) 07795490682)

Four Ahmadi school children and an adult frivolously booked and arrested by the police on false accusation of Blasphemy by extremist elements

Ahmadiyya Foreign Missions Office
Vikalat Tabshir
Rabwah (Pakistan), Telephone: (047) 6212326, Fax: (047) 6212296, Cables: TABSHIR

Immediate
Human Rights
February 2, 2009

Four Ahmadi school children and an adult frivolously booked and arrested by the police on false accusation of Blasphemy by extremist elements
The applied clause PPC 295-C carries death penalty

Kot Sultan, District Layyah (Punjab): The police charged four school-going Ahmadi children aged 14 – 19 and an adult on a false charge of blasphemy, under section PPC 295-C on January 28, 2009 with FIR 46/09 at police station Kot Sultan. The accused children are Muhammad Irfan, Tahir Imran, Tahir Mahmud and Naseeb Ahmad. Mr. Mubashir Ahmad, an adult is also on the list of the accused. Although the complaint was made by one, Liaquat Ali, the fabricated accusation was pushed by Shahbaz, a school teacher, and one N.E. Kulachi who belongs to the extremist group Jamaat Ud Daawa banned recently by the UN for promoting terrorism.

The police arrested the accused without establishing a prima facie case. They charged the innocent without evidence and before any investigation. The applied blasphemy clause carries death penalty.

According to the accusation, graffiti defiling the name of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was found on the toilet walls of a local mosque. According to the accuser, it must have been undertaken by the four boys under instructions from Mr. Mubashir Ahmad. The complainant has provided no evidence. In fact, the accusation is false and smacks of conspiracy. The police will do well to look for the blasphemer among the group that is making the most noise.

For weeks in the recent past, the anti-Ahmadiyya lobby had been fomenting agitation. In the blasphemy accusation they appear to have found a convenient weapon to strike the final blow. Simultaneously, they threatened bloodshed, arson and processions. This provided excuse to the police to register the case and make immediate arrests. It makes no sense that the police arrest innocent persons to forestall a threat to law and order. This amounts to playing in the hands of religious extremists.

Inspector Khalid Rauf told AHRC (Asian Human Rights Commission) that “the gravity of the case against Islam justified arresting the children first. He said the police do not know of any substantial evidence that links the four students with the crime.”

According to the AHRC “Family members were told (by the district police officer) that the police were under pressure from the fundamentalists to act against the children.” According to the law, an officer of the rank of superintendent of police is required to investigate the blasphemy cases. As this law was deliberately worded to make it ineffective, it provides no relief to innocent accused, as it happened in this case and has happened often before. This law is essentially mala fide as the blasphemy law. It is a hoax.

The BBC reports that according to the police no one saw the named boys writing the (blasphemous) words. “Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (was) alarmed over four children’s detention on blasphemy charges”, reported the Daily Times, Lahore of January 30, 2009. “Victimizing children with false accusations is the most condemnable use of the blasphemy law”, said the Ahmadiyya community spokesman. The AHRC urged “the government of President Asif Zardari to immediately release the illegally detained prisoners. Instead they should turn their attention to the dependence of Punjab Police on fundamentalist Islamic groups and the implementation of the rule of law in the province …”.

Hundreds of Ahmadis have faced charges and accusations under the blasphemy laws and many have suffered in prisons for years. One is now undergoing a life sentence in Faisalabad prison, although he is innocent. This is his fifth year in prison. A few months ago, a venerable old Ahmadi Dr Asghar was booked on a false accusation of blasphemy, and arrested. The lower courts denied his release on bail. A few days ago a high court judge also rejected his plea for bail, observing reportedly, “We can provide no relief to those who defile the name of great divines.” This observation by the judge based on presumption of guilt of the accused was unbecoming and callous on his part. The gentleman remains behind bars and has to knock at the door of the Supreme Court now to get relief against the fabricated charge.

If the government is serious about fighting the evil of terrorism and sectarianism, it must take effective action against religious extremists by at least withdrawing support to them in the use of the blasphemy law, a convenient tool available to them. As a first step, the state should immediately withdraw all the false blasphemy charges against all the accused, to make its declared intentions credible.