Showing posts with label Zulfiquar Mansur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zulfiquar Mansur. Show all posts

Monday, January 18, 2010

Monthly Newsreport - Ahmadiyya Persecution in Pakistan - December, 2009

An aggressive incursion in Rabwah and its follow up

Rabwah: An incident occurred in Rabwah in the month of August this year which was not mentioned in the monthly News Report. It has left a trail that is loaded with mischief. The incident is mentioned below.

Two non-Ahmadi youth of the Muslim Colony (a colony established by authorities for non-Ahmadis on Rabwah land forcibly occupied by the government) were roaming around on a motor cycle near the Fazle Umar Hospital, Rabwah on August 7, 2009. An Ahmadi youth on duty at the location noted down the registration number of their vehicle. They took exception to this and were rough with him. They also called their friends on their mobile phone to come to where they were. One of them slapped an Ahmadi on his face; this resulted in a brawl. By this time some senior Ahmadis arrived and disengaged the two parties. The intruders misbehaved with them too.

The police came to know of this and sent for the two parties in the evening. Ahmadis presented themselves while the others did not turn up. At about 1:30 a.m. the police registered a case against 7 named and 3 unknown Ahmadis with FIR 364/09 under various sections of the PPC. The next day Ahmadi community officials complained to higher police officials who promised to look into the case. The FIR has since remained open, however.

The trouble-makers belong to the Niazi family of the Muslim Colony. On November 22 two of them came to the bazaar in Rabwah and insulted Mr. Abdus Samad, one of the Ahmadis accused in the FIR. Again they initiated a fight in which Mr. Muhammad Azam, an Ahmadi was hurt. A report was made to the police along with his medical certificate. The intruders fabricated a story and made their own report to the police.

There is a growing concern about such people coming over to Rabwah and fomenting trouble and disturbing the peace. They could be used as tools for some major incident by the crafty mullas of the Muslim Colony and other resident mullas whose main occupation is to create problems for the Ahmadi residents of this town.

Tense situation in Multan

Multan has been a centre of anti-Ahmadiyya activities for quite some time. Three Ahmadis were murdered in 2009 in this city alone. The affected families shifted to the Gulgasht Colony of the city, however the mulla persists in his drive against them. Ahmadi residents there are now living in fear and feel exposed to great harm all the time.

We mention here some incidents.
Some miscreants forced entry into the house of an Ahmadi office-bearer after the dawn prayer and waved a pistol at him.
A mulla came to the Ahmadiyya prayer centre in Gulgasht and tried to get some information about the centre and the community. When contacted, the ISI confirmed that he was wanted by the police. Bounty on his head is fixed at half a million rupees. He had been a member of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba and also of the Tahrik-e-Khatme Nabuwwat.
Murderers of three Ahmadis have been arrested by the police. They disclosed that they planned to blow up the Ahmadiyya prayer centre in Gulgasht Colony with dynamite. They would have undertaken it had they not been arrested. They declared their intention not to spare even Ahmadi children after their release.
A heavy police contingent arrived in the prayer centre under the command of a DSP. They remained there till dusk. They were in contact with their SP. They told Ahmadis that according to intelligence reports there was likelihood of an attack on the prayer centre by a vehicle loaded with explosives. They told Ahmadis to put up a barrier of sand and cement blocks around the prayer centre. An iron fence was placed around the mosque that night.
Several suspects have been arrested from the students’ hostel located near the Ahmadiyya prayer centre.
Miscreants come to the court where killers of Ahmadis are undergoing a trial. They attempt to harass witnesses.
An unknown person visited an Ahmadi office-bearer’s home and asked for information from the family’s maid regarding his timings and movements.

These incidents and others have precipitated a great deal of fear in the Ahmadi residents of the area. The stress and strain of the prevailing circumstances are most severe.

A conspiracy and malicious drive against the Ahmadiyya community

Lahore: Express TV aired an interview of one Abdur Rahman in its program Point Blank (Anchor: Lucman Mubashir) on December 21, 2009. In the video Abdur Rahman appeared to be grievously injured. He stated that he was a great-grand son of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas (the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat) and a son of Mirza Nasir Ahmad (Khalifatul Masih III). He said that he had converted to Islam in 1999, and since then the community had viciously turned against him. He also made the accusation that while he was on his way to Ganga Ram Hospital, he was picked up by Ahmadis, beaten up severely and thrown by the roadside in a critical state, wherefrom he was recovered by some men of a nearby madrassah that belongs to Allama Zaheer. To this statement the anchorperson added that Muslims would powerfully support and protect all those who converted to Islam, etc.

Abdur Rahman’s statement was a lie and fabrication. He is neither the son of Hadrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Khalifatul Masih III, nor the great-grand son of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. The anchorperson and the TV channel became willing and knowingly partners to the conspiracy, and were guilty of agitating sectarianism loaded with mischief and dire consequences.

Mr. Saleem ud Din, the spokesperson of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan issued a press release on this incident. It was published in the daily Alfazl of December 24, 2009. Its translation is given below:

The accusation of torture over conversion is baseless and is a conspiracy to spread agitation (Fitna) in the country against the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.
The statement of one Abdur Rahman, aired by a TV channel is ridiculous. Khalifatul Masih III had no son of this name.
Press Release by Mr. Saleem-ud-Din, Nazir Umur Aama, spokesman of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya.
Rabwah (PR): The interview of one Abdur Rahman, aired by a Pakistani TV channel Express News in its program Point Blank is ridiculous and riddled with lies. Why was such baseless and ridiculous news broadcast without due enquiry; as well as published in the daily Express without due inquiry. According to Mr. Saleem ud Din Nazir Umur Aama, the spokesman of Jamaat Ahmadiyya, this news and interview is fabricated and false, and is a conspiracy to spread unrest in the country against the Jamaat.
According to the spokesman it is surprising that Abdur Rahman claimed to be a great-grand son of Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Community, and a son of Hadrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, the Khalifatul Masih III. Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of the Jamaat, knows that Hadrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad the Khalifatul Masih III had three sons, Mirza Anas Ahmad, Mirza Farid Ahmad and Mirza Luqman Ahmad; all three of whom are alive by the grace of God. Thus the claim of Abdur Rahman, and its transmission by the TV channel without prior confirmation from the concerned people is an open violation of journalistic ethics and sets a dreadful precedent. Abdur Rahman’s interview is self-contradictory; how come a responsible TV channel failed to notice this?
Mr. Saleem ud Din, the spokesman of Jamaat Ahmadiyya stated that Jamaat Ahmadiyya does not believe in any penalty for apostasy and strongly condemns those who propose punishment for this. Everyone is free to proclaim any belief that he or she considers to be true. History is a witness to the fact that converts to Ahmadiyyat have often suffered violence; while some have been put to death.
The spokesman further stated that Abdur Rahman’s statement appears to be a part of deeper conspiracy. The media should refrain from propagating something without due inquiry, as that may lead to unrest. In the present national situation, great care and a commitment to truth is needed.


Incident at Karachi

Karachi; November 12, 2009: An unknown man wearing dark brown clothes came to the Ahmadiyya Hall at about 4 p.m. and started abusing the founder of the Ahmadiyya community. The Hall is used by Ahmadis as a place of worship. Some neighbours took the initiative to calm him down, and took him away. Ten minutes later he returned and went away on his motorcycle, while still shouting abuse. Ahmadis felt concerned over this incident. They posted additional personnel on guard duty to ensure security.

Sindhi press tows the line of Urdu press

A Sindhi paper Dalat-Awaz published from Mithi, district Tharparkar, Sindh apparently has decided to follow the lead provided by the Urdu press in matters of religion. In its issue of July 25, 2009 it took up in a big way the case of Ahmadiyya and Christian activism in that region. While it is true that Christian and Ahmadi NGOs are providing much-needed commendable social and medical services in the area, the paper gave it entirely a religious colour and indulged in accusations that the two groups are involved in conversion efforts by hook or crook. It would be much better for Dalat-Awaz to urge other NGOs to excel the competitors in providing help and services to the area’s poor, rather than agitate the illiterate and excitable masses over the faith of the helpers.

Amendment proposed to blasphemy laws and anti-Ahmadiyya laws

Lahore: It is perhaps the first time since 1984 that an important official tribunal has proposed revision of blasphemy laws, anti-Ahmadiyya laws and a few other sections of the penal code related to religion. The tribunal headed by Mr. Iqbal Hameedur Rahman, a high court judge, inquiring into the tragedy at Gojra, in which 7 Christians died, included these recommendations in its report and urged the government to do the needful on ‘war footing’. Excerpts from a report published in the Daily Times of December 7, 2009 are produced below:

Gojra report proposes amending blasphemy laws

Tribunal calls for immediate action against those responsible — Calls for capacity building of law-enforcement agencies — Identifies factors that led to riots
Faisalabad: An inquiry report on riots in Gojra in August proposes amendments to the blasphemy laws.
An inquiry tribunal — headed by Lahore High Court Judge Iqbal Hameedur Rehman and tasked with looking into the tragedy that killed seven people — also warned the government on Sunday that “the Gojra tragedy must be taken seriously and the needful (should) be done on war-footing without further loss of time.”
The inquiry tribunal notes in the report that the country is already facing grave challenges in the form of terrorism and militancy — which, in addition to destroying the economy, have “disfigured our national image all over the world… we cannot afford any other menace, (such as) sectarian disputes.” It says efforts to control such unrest must begin immediately.
The 258-page report recommends action “without any discrimination against those responsible for commission and omission.”
The report also proposes amendments to Pakistan Penal Code sections 295, 295-A, 295-B, 295-C, 296, 297, 298, 298-A, 298-B, 298-C, anti-blasphemy laws, relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Police Order 2002….

The tribunal reached the conclusion that the riots were a result of the “inability of law-enforcement agencies to assess the gravity of the situation, inadequate precautionary and preventive measures taken by law-enforcement agencies, a luke-warm stance by the Toba Tek Singh DPO, the failure of intelligence agencies in providing prompt and correct information, a defective security plan, the irresponsible behaviour of the administration, the complete failure of police while discharging their duties, the non-enforcement of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, omissions to take steps under sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC, the lack of a decision to invoke the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) 1960 – which amounts to letting the miscreants loose to wreak havoc during the course of the riots – and several other factors.” APP

The reality of some ‘Ulama Karam’

Taba Tek Singh: The government of Punjab has forbidden 30 Ulama and Zakirs from entering the district of Toba Tek Singh in view of the threat to peace during the month of Muharam. The list includes among others, Maulana Fazlur Rahman. Most of these clerics are regular participants in anti-Ahmadiyya conferences held every year in Rabwah. It is fair to ask that if these clerics are a threat to peace in Toba Tek Singh, why are they allowed to gather in district Chiniot (at Rabwah) to endanger the peace there. Also, at higher political stage, how come that a person like Maulvi Fazlur Rahman, who is a threat to social and religious peace in the Punjab, was nominated to the second highest post in the parliament of the country i.e. Leader of the Opposition. Obviously, the national policy at the top is confused or self-serving. These mullas deserve not only to be kept away from the people of Toba Tek Singh, but also from the people of Pakistan. Below we produce a translation of the press report published in the daily Waqt, Lahore of December 9, 2009:


30 Ulama and Zakirs’ entry banned in Toba Tek Singh. Maulana Fazlur Rahman included.

Toba Tek Singh (On line): The provincial government of the Punjab has forbidden the entry of 30 Ulama and Zakirs in district Toba Tek Singh in order to ensure peace and security during the month of Muharram-ul-Haram. These include Maulana Fazlur Rahman chief of the JUI, Alama Sajid Naqvi a leader of Tehrik Jafria, Maulana Muhamamd Ahmad Ludhianwi of the banned Tanzim Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat and others of various sects. Others who face this ban include Hafiz Abdul Alim Yazdani, Maulanas Bahadur Ali Saif, Shabir Hussain, Abdul Khaliq Rehmani, Dr Khadim Hussain Dhilon, Maulana Muhammad Alam Tariq, Sahibzadah Zahid Mahmud Qasimi, Maulana Aurangzeb, Qari Abdul Hay Abid, Maulana Abdus Sattar Taunsvi, Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Tahir Farooqui, Allama Zahid ur Rashidi, Syed Ataul Moheman Bokhari, Syed Abdul Majeed Nadeem, Maulanas Abdul Tawwab Achhravi, Muhammad Rafiq Jami, Allah Wasaya, Khalifa Abdul Qayyum, Maulana Abdul Ghafur Jhangvi, Prof. Saeed Ahmad Asad, Zakirs Fazal Abbas, Anwar Ali, Safdar Hussain Sial, Ghulam Hussain Najfi, Gulfam Hussain Hashmi, Munawwar Abbas Alavi and Khaliq Asadi.

Note: The majority of the Ulama mentioned above are regular speakers in conferences held in Rabwah.

Concerns about a provocative pamphlet

Rabwah: A highly provocative pamphlet, naming “Qadianion ka ta‘aruf” (Introduction of Qadianis) has been distributed widely in the district of Khanewal and its suburbs. The central office of Ahmadiyya community took notice and brought it to the notice of authorities. Translation of this letter is given below:

Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Rabwah (Pakistan)
h: 047-6212459
Fax 047-6215459
E-mail: nuasaa@hotmail.com
Sir,
Salutation
We hope that you are well.
A highly provocative pamphlet “Qadianion ka ta‘aruf” (Introduction of Qadianis) is attached (not included here). It has been widely distributed in district Khanewal and its suburbs. It bears provocative writings against Ahmadis. It carries writings out-of-context which are presented in a harmful way to motivate general public to target Ahmadis.
It is worth noting that the allegations against Ahmadis are false. All Ahmadis, by the grace of God, revere all the prophets of God and have the highest respect and veneration for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and could never think of committing such blasphemy. All decent citizens condemn such offensive actions, but there are still fanatic groups who are using the sacred name of religion to promote sectarian hatred. They refer to such anti-Ahmadi actions as their ‘holy duty’. There is a high risk of an unpleasant occurrence as a result of this incitement.
109 Ahmadis have been killed since the promulgation of the Anti-Ahmadiyya ordinance in 1984. This year alone 14 Ahmadis have been killed for their faith, while several others escaped from murder attempts.
The present sensitive situation in the country requires that these elements be handled firmly. Unfortunately repeated reminders to the government have not triggered any effective action by authorities.
This is dispatched for appropriate action by the authorities without further delay.

Sincerely,

Saleem uddin
Director of Public Affairs
Rabwah (Chenab Nagar) District Jhang

Questionable conduct of the Punjab government

Lahore: During the year 2009, numerous incidents occurred in the Punjab that had a direct or indirect bearing on the Ahmadiyya issue. Here we mention only three of those where the provincial government was directly involved, and offer a comment in the interest of all concerned. These incidents are, 1) Holding of a Khatme Nabuwwat Conference in the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore by the Auqaf Department, 2) Banning the Ulama’s entry in various districts of the Punjab, and 3) An announcement of the Mutahiddah Ulama Board through the Auqaf Department of the Government of the Punjab.

In the recent month of Muharram, the government took note of the serious threat to communal harmony and thereby to law and order in the province, and issued orders to ban a large number of ‘Ulama Karam’ to enter the province or to move from one district to another. Most of these ulama who were directed to stay put in their own residential districts were forbidden to address public gatherings (zuban bandi). All this was done to maintain peace and order, and was accepted by all concerned as an essential administrative measure. A few headlines from the press regarding this order are recorded below.
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Punjab bans entry of 190 clerics from other provinces.
The Daily Times, Lahore; December 26, 2009
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Yom Ashur: 20 ulama recommended for detention.
105 ulama made to sign bond of good conduct in sectarian issues.
The daily Waqt, Lahore; December 24, 2009
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151 Ulama’s entry banned in Faisalabad
The daily News; Lahore, December 12, 2009
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46 Ulama banned to enter (District) Chiniot
The daily Jang; Lahore, December 16, 2009
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30 Ulama Karam and Zakir’s entry forbidden in District Toba. Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Sajid Naqvi and Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianvi also banned. Restrictions imposed for 3 months.
The daily Pakistan; Lahore, December 9, 2009

In the last week of December, the Department of Auqaf arranged a Joint Announcement (Mushtarka Elamia) by the Mutahiddah Ulama Board and had it published in the press as a paid public ad. It was entitled, Do not give up your own beliefs (and) Do not infringe upon the beliefs of others (Apne maslak ko na choro Kisi aur ke maslak ko na chero). This announcement was drafted in a meeting chaired by ‘Khadim Pubjab’ Mian Shahbaz Sharif on December 13, 2009. The announcement expressed heartfelt pain and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in suicide bombings in Moon Market Lahore, Multan Cantt, Parade Line Rawalpindi and Khosa Market DG Khan etc. The announcement formulated a Code of Conduct (Zabita Akhlaq) and had it published. One of the items of the code read (translation): Islam also teaches regard for the People of the Book (Ahle kitab) and Non-Muslims. Therefore the Ulama should lay special stress on tolerance (rawadari) and unity, and should abstain fully from mutual incriminating edicts (fatwa bazi) etc.

However, earlier this year the same Auqaf Department sponsored, held and funded a Khatme Nabuwwat Conference at Lahore on April 11, 2009. It invited a large number of ulama including many of those who are now banned to enter other districts or are forbidden to speak at public meetings. The venue was decorated with banners that supported the Swat Deal (with Mulla Fazlullah), the imposition of Shariah etc. The speakers upheld the so-called Nizam-e-Adal. One of them said: “We are ready for total destruction of Qadianis in the country.” Another said: “Every last drop of blood should be shed for the sake of End of Prophethood”. One of the resolutions passed at the conference was: All the ulama should devote at least one Friday sermon every month to the issue of Khatme Nabuwwat. An effigy of the holy founder of the Ahmadiyya community was burnt at the opening of the conference.

With these kinds of gatherings taking place with official support, the government of the Punjab should not be surprised with incidents like the bombings in Moon Market, Multan Cantt, Parade Line and Khosa Market. The pious announcement of the Mutahiddah Ulama Board could not dissuade the bomber and his backers from the attack on a Muharram procession in Karachi that resulted in 45 deaths, burning of 2500 shops, attacks on vehicle, police stations and banks etc, loss of Rs. 30 billion and 10,000 jobs.

The Quran, in its great wisdom, sets forth parables regarding important policies:

Dost thou not see how God sets forth a parable of a good word? It is like a good tree, whose root is firm and whose branches reach into heavens. It brings forth its fruit at all times by the command of its Lord. And God sets forth parables for men that they may be reminded.
And the case of an evil word is like that of an evil tree, which is uprooted from above the earth and has no stability.
Al-Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim
Prolonged prosecution comes to end

A fifteen years old case under PPC 295-A has come to an end — at last.

Nine Ahmadis of Pattoki were charged for putting up a banner in their street regarding the fulfillment of a prophecy of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) regarding solar and lunar eclipses on the given dates in support of the Mahdias. The case was registered by the police, on February 23, 1994. Two of the accused died during the course of the prosecution, while six fled and sought shelter in foreign countries. Only one accused, Mr. Abdul Mujeeb continued to face a trial. At last, on 15 December, 2009 the Judicial Magistrate acquitted him.

It is worth noting that the administration and the police in the country charged nine persons for putting up a banner that a prophecy of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was fulfilled a hundred years ago. The state prosecuted all the nine accused, pursued the case for 15 years only to find that the judge was neither convinced nor impressed by the charges. What a criminal waste of public resources!

Ahmadis behind bars
  1. Mr. Muhammad Iqbal was imprisoned for life in a fabricated case of blasphemy. He was arrested in March 2004, and is currently incarcerated in the Central Jail, Faisalabad. An appeal has been filed with the Lahore High Court against the decision of the Sessions Court. It is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 89/2005. He is now in the sixth year of his imprisonment.
  2. Three Ahmadis; Mr. Basharat, Mr. Nasir Ahmad and Mr. Muhammad Idrees along with 7 others of Chak Sikandar were arrested in September 2003 on a false charge of murdering a cleric. The police, after due investigation found no evidence against the accused. Yet they faced a ‘complaint trial’ for a crime they did not commit. Based on the unreliable testimony of the two alleged ‘eye-witnesses’ (who were discredited in court), seven of the accused were acquitted, but on the same evidence these three innocent Ahmadis were sentenced to death. They are being held on death row at a prison in Jehlum, while their appeal lies with the Lahore High Court. They are now in the seventh year of their incarceration. Their appeal to the Lahore High Court is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 616/2005
    dated 26 April 2005.
  3. Dr. Muhammad Asghar was arrested on a fabricated charge of blasphemy in June 2008. The judge rejected his plea for bail. The police investigation found him innocent. Subsequently his plea for bail has been rejected by the High Court – and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has directed his expeditious trial which is now in progress. At the close of the year, it is learnt that the Supreme Court has accepted his bail, but he was yet to be released.

From the Press


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Blasphemy accused gets life imprisonment (under PPC 295B)
The daily News; Lahore, December 3, 2009

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Gojra report proposes amending blasphemy laws. The report also proposes amendments to Pakistan Penal Code sections 295, 295A, 295B, 295C, 296, 297, 298, 298A, 298B, 298C, anti-blasphemy laws, relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code and Police Order 2002.
The Daily Times; Lahore, December 7, 2009

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Suicide attacks are Haram (forbidden category). Such attackers are outside the pale of Islam. — Islamic Ideology Council
The daily Jinnah; Lahore, December 10, 2009

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The US is waging war against Islam and Islamic culture, in the name of terrorism. — Munawar Hasan (JI)
The daily Ausaf; Lahore, December 1, 2009
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Residents, FPI (Islamic Defenders Front) raid Ahmadiyya members
South Jakarta police secured six Ahmadiyya followers inside Tebet police station on Friday….
Salim Alatas, a deputy head of the FPI Jakarta chapter, admitted the hardline group had initiated the raid. He said FPI would demand the police detain the Ahmadis for violating the joint ministerial decree on religious blasphemy.
The daily Jakarta Post 12.11.2009

(Comment: Extremism taking roots in Indonesia. Pakistan is enough for world comity http://alamsyahdjafar.wordpress. com)

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World, Vatican criticize Swiss minaret ban
The daily News; Lahore, December 1, 2009

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Qadianis visiting India should not be allowed to return. — (Mulla) Allah Yar Arshad
The daily Waqt; Lahore, December 21, 2009

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Model Town: Qadianis have taken up Muslims’ mode of worship. Citizen in protest. Action must be taken. — Alami Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat
The daily Ausaf; Lahore, December 3, 2009

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Terror incidents claimed 3,300 lives this year
The daily Dawn; Lahore, December 31, 2009

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Terror hits 3 provincial capitals. Twin blasts kill 10 in Lahore.
The daily Nation; Lahore, December 8, 2009

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12 killed as Taliban target ISI in Multan. Lahore bombing toll rises to 54
The Daily Times; Lahore, December9, 2009

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Suicide attack outside Khosa’s house kills 33 (in D.G. Khan)
The Daily Times; Lahore, December 16, 2009

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12 killed in Lower Dir suicide bombing. At least 35 injured, some said to be in critical condition.
The Daily Times; Lahore, December 19, 2009

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Suicide bomber kills ANP lawmaker (in Swat)
The daily Dawn; Lahore, December 2, 2009

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Operation Rahe Nejat: 589 terrorists killed, 79 troops martyred.
The daily Jinnah; Lahore, December 10, 2009

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Boys college blown up in Bara
The Daily Times; Lahore, December 19, 2009

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276 Ulama and Zakirs face external and local restrictions in NWFP and Sindh
The daily Din; Lahore, December 16, 2009

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Punjab bans entry of 190 clerics from other provinces.
The Daily Times, Lahore; December 26, 2009

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Yom Ashur: 20 ulama recommended for detention.
105 ulama made to sign bond of good conduct in sectarian issues.
The daily Waqt, Lahore; December 24, 2009

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151 Ulama’s entry banned in Faisalabad
The daily News; Lahore, December 12, 2009

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46 Ulama banned to enter (District) Chiniot
The daily Jang; Lahore, December 16, 2009
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30 Ulama Karam and Zakir’s entry forbidden in District Toba. Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Sajid Naqvi and Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianwi also banned. Restriction imposed for 3 months.

The daily Pakistan; Lahore, December 9, 2009

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Karachi blast: Death toll rises to 45
2500 shops, vehicles, police stations, banks set on fire. Rs. 30 billion loss.
The daily Jang; Lahore, December 30, 2009

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Taliban attack Masjid. 36 namazis killed as high-profile army officers targeted in Rawalpindi
The Daily Times; Lahore, December 5, 2009

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Babar Awan has put us to shame by taking bribe. He should be punished for his criminal act. Lawyers. Babar Awan should resign in consequence of the discovery that his PhD is fake. — N. League
The daily Jinnah; Lahore, December 7, 2009

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The federal government has doubled the annual allocation for the upkeep and maintenance of the worship places for religious minorities – from Rs. 75 million to Rs. 150 million
The daily Frontier Post; Lahore, December 5, 2009

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List of 992 missing people issued (by Balochistan home department)
The daily Dawn; Lahore, December 3, 2009

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Liquor death toll rises to 26 in Multan
The daily Dawn; Lahore, December 23, 2009

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The Quaid desired Pakistan to be a secular republic, not an Islamic republic.
Mullas compelled Bhutto to include the words Islamic Republic in the 1973 constitution. The condition that one must be a Muslim to be president or prime minister is also undemocratic. — Senator Haji Adeel (of ANP)
The daily Pakistan; Lahore, December 26, 2009

Op-eds
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Gojra accused
…But Gojra is a tragedy that calls for a zero-tolerance approach: the full extent of the law has to be applied to anyone who commited a crime of commission or omission. Let some of the suspects go punished and the message will be clear to violent bigots elsewhere; their crimes may also go unpunished. (sic) Logically, then another Gojra could only by a matter of time.
Editorial in the Dawn; December 16, 2009
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Islam not ‘violent by nature’
Culp should know that anyone who believes that it is OK to lie cannot be believed at all, as how can we tell whether such a person is not telling a lie about lying? Culp needs to look at the Islam of the predominant majority of Muslims who do not believe that lying is OK, and only that can be a believable representation of Islam.
For a person looking for an unbiased, non-hate opinion on Islam, Karen Arustrong’s various publications are a good source. Hate pages abound on the internet; hate talk often surfaces on airwaves; the written world is polluted by it sometimes. But that is not what free America desires.
Published December 06, 2009 in Forum, Fargo ND USA

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Swiss fall to racist panic
The current worldwide uproar against Switzerland for banning minarets on Muslim mosques is the latest malediction to hit the Helvetic Republic…. As I’ve been writing for years, hate and fear of Muslims is the modern version of 1930s anti-Semitism. Just as Nazis denounced Jews as malevolent, dangerous sub-humans, today’s Western rightwingers, Christian fundamentalists, neo-conservatives have simply changed the labels to Muslims for Jews…. Most Swiss women who only got to vote in 1971, had no idea the Balkan Muslim women in Switzerland are as liberated as they are. I still have deep love for Switzerland, the country of my youth. But those who want a ‘Muslim frei’ Switzerland have dishonoured their nation.
Eric Margolis in Toronto Sun reproduced in the Daily Times of December 14, 2009
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Minaret referenda
The strange thing is that the countries which give themselves the right to issue lists naming countries practicing religious discrimination against followers of other religions have not taken the trouble to add Switzerland to the list of countries which discriminate on religious grounds against Muslims in Switzerland. Neither did they criticize the debate going on against Muslims in France and Europe in general, which in itself is a form of racial discrimination against Muslims who are citizens of these countries and should enjoy citizenship rights, including the freedom of worship and freedom of religious affiliation.
Ms Bouthaina Shaaban in the Daily Times, December 9, 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Monthly Newsreport - Ahmadiyya Persecution in Pakistan - October, 2009

An Ahmadi murdered in Balochistan

Quetta; October 11, 2009: Mr. Zulfiquar Mansur’s body was found outside the suburbs of the city on October 11. He had been shot three times, including in the eye. He had been abducted a month earlier. He was 35 years old.

He left his home in his car on September 11, 2009 when armed persons abducted him. These criminals used the same car they had used earlier to abduct another Ahmadi. They contacted the family subsequently and demanded 150 million rupees. They mentioned the ‘Qadianism’ of the victim often in their talk. Their original demand was, of course, beyond the capacity of the family. Intermittent negotiations went on in the following weeks. Eventually, mutually agreed demands were met. However, the abductors still killed Mr. Mansur.

More than a year ago, they murdered Mr. Mansur’s uncle, Mr. Abbas Ahmad in Quetta in April 2008. This year in June, Mr. Khalid Rashid, another relative of Mr. Mansur was murdered in the same city. Quetta has quite a history of anti-Ahmadi violence. As early as 1948, Major Mahmud Ahmad, an army doctor, was the first Ahmadi to be murdered for his faith in Pakistan. The authorities did not charge anyone for the act and took almost no action against the mullas who had openly incited the mob to undertake the criminal assault. This attitude has prevailed ever since. Ahmadiyya mosque in Quetta was sealed by authorities in 1986 on demand of Muslim clerics. The district authorities of Balochistan expelled Ahmadis from their homes in subsequent years. The same religious elements, with which the authorities cooperated to suppress Ahmadis, have now turned against the state; they assassinated a provincial minister last week. The state, however, continues to nourish its links with Ulama Karam.

Mr. Mansur is survived by his old mother, a widow and two sons of school-going age.

Ahmadi prayer-leader booked

Rabwah; October 23, 2009: In an act of blatant discrimination, the police booked Mr. M. A. Naeem for violation of the Amplifier Act 3. Mr. Naeem had recited the Friday sermon that lasted only 10 minutes. The police, that was accompanied by a local mulla, Ghulam Mustafa, found nothing objectionable in the sermon, but held that the accused’s voice was audible loudly in the street.

The FIR mentions that the police entered the Ahmadiyya place of worship; the accused stopped the sermon and joined the worshippers so he could not be apprehended, and the police took in possession the amplifying equipment. All this is fabrication. In fact, the police did not enter the mosque; Mr. Naeem continued the sermon from the Mimber; and the police did not take the equipment in its charge either.

Although it is possible that the sermon was audible in the adjacent street of the mosque, the police are well aware that Non-Ahmadi clerics use their mosque amplifiers that carry their voices kilometers away. The fact that the police were accompanied by a rabid cleric is ample proof that the police acted on behalf of the mulla. Obviously, the Rabwah police have no instructions yet from their superiors to shun the mulla — on the contrary, perhaps the opposite is still the order of the day.

The police violate constitutional provisions on religious freedom

Kot Muhammad Yar, Chiniot: In serious violation of his charter of duties the SHO Police Station Chiniot City, Sheikh Tahir, ordered Ahmadis of Kot Muhammad Yar to stop the Friday worship. In fact his duty is to facilitate worship, not to obstruct it in league with mullas.

The SHO sent for the Ahmadi seniors of the village and told them to give a written undertaking on a Stamp Paper that they will no more offer their Friday congregational prayers. He threatened them with a fine of Rs. 500,000 and registration of criminal cases. Ahmadis told him that they will not forego their right to worship and will convey him their intentions by November 3.

Ahmadi leaders have advised the local community to ask the SHO to give his orders in writing.

This village is also inhabited by a Pakhtun community who has a Taliban mentality. Their children have been throwing stones at Ahmadis’ homes. Perhaps the conspiracy is to create a law and order situation, and register unwarranted criminal cases against Ahmadis in collusion with the police.

It is relevant to mention that Chiniot is now a district headquarters town. It is located only 5 miles east of Rabwah.

Another outrage by the police

Tatle Aali, district Gujranwala: Tatle Aali is inhabited by a small Ahmadiyya community of a dozen households. The Khatme Nabuwwat organization’s agitators have raised the level of communal agitation in the village, and have co-opted the police to make life difficult for the Ahmadis.

The police SHO sent for the two parties, and readily accepted the untenable logic of non-Ahmadis that as Ahmadis offer their prayers the same way as they, they should be barred from offering congregational prayers. The SHO told the Ahmadi delegation that if they did not agree with that, they should get a verdict from the court; till then no congregational prayers would be allowed to Ahmadis. While Pakistan is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it allows its police to act in clear violation of its provisions.

As a result, there was police presence in the village the next Friday, and they ensured that Ahmadis did not congregate for their Friday prayers.

The question is: is the District Police Officer not aware what his SHOs are doing? Should they not receive some training in upholding human rights and freedom of religion and belief, to which Pakistan is committed through international covenants?

A Khatme Nabuwwat Conference in Rabwah

Rabwah; 15 and 16 October 2009: Mullas of the Khatme Nabuwwat faction were allowed and facilitated again by authorities to hold still another major conference in Rabwah, the Ahmadiyya headquarters town where non-Ahmadi population is less than five percent. Numerous such conferences are permitted here every year. This is particularly noteworthy in view of the fact that Ahmadis are not allowed to hold their traditional annual conference in their own town. This is discrimination practiced unabashedly.

These Khatme Nabuwwat conferences have become quite a show-piece, and they reflect the decadent state of the Pakistani society in religious, social, governmental and political spheres. Here the mulla and, indirectly, the state show their true colours in violating all decency and universally accepted norms. Human rights, freedom of religion and belief, religious tolerance etc are trampled upon openly and vigorously. Politics is practiced in the name of religion, the state looks the other way; in fact it participates to show its solidarity with the mulla. This year Maulvi Ataur Rahman MNA, the Federal Minister of Tourism, the Federal Minister of Tourism came all the way from Islamabad to join and speak at the conference. The following report, compiled mostly from the vernacular press reports from the dailies Jang, Nawa-i-Waqt, Ausaf and Jinnah of 16 and 17 October, 2009, Lahore clearly supports the observation made above.

In this report we shall not report the profuse insults, diatribes and abuses hurled at the Ahmadiyya Community and its respected religious leaders. The mulla does that at every available opportunity, and the authorities do not hold him accountable under the law of the land, PPC 295-A. It is rather strange that these clerics who cry hoarse in defence of the blasphemy law, indulge in slander against others, with no qualms. In fact, in this particular conference, although held in the name of End of Prophethood, they placed the Blasphemy issue (Namus Rasalat and Tauheen Rasalat) on the agenda and made it the theme — obviously as a propaganda tool.

It is a norm at these conferences that the mulla on the stage, with microphone in front, blurts out whatever he wishes with no regard to morality and decency. For instance the following was conveyed at this occasion:
  • No one can amend the Quranic and Divine decision to award sentence of death to blasphemers of the Prophet. (Note: The Quran makes no mention of this decision. Ed.)The Blasphemy laws are not a product of a passing need; these are permanent essentials; and they assure protection to minorities.
  • Maulana Abdul Qayyum Haqqani stated that the eradication of the evil of apostasy is essential for the preservation of Islam.
  • Maulana Abdul Wahab Jallandhry said that Jihad will continue against traitors to the cause of Khatme Nabuwwat.
  • We shall wipe off from the face of earth those who wish to amend the Blasphemy law.
  • Those who demand an end to the blasphemy laws are traitors to the national ideology, and are enemies of Pakistan.
  • Qadianis occupying high posts are busy in disgusting conspiracies to deprive Pakistan of its nuclear capability.
  • Foreign intelligence agencies are providing Qadianis with tens of million (karoron) of pounds and dollars to impose emergency in Pakistan and spread unrest in the country.
  • Mufti Saeed Ahmad Jalalpuri said that Qadianis occupying key posts in the country are deliberately involved in robbing the state, thereby rendering the dear country bankrupt in the field of economy, religion and geography (sic).
  • To anyone who commits blasphemy, we shall award the punishment ourselves without having to go to a court.
  • Every household is now going to produce a Ghazi Ilm Din Shaheed.
One can draw one’s conclusions from the above exhortations made in public. The organizers and the speakers kept an eye on their national and international political agenda, and availed of the stage of ‘end of prophethood’ to say the following that had nothing to do with the theme of the conference:
  • Why land is being sold out to Americans, in Islamabad?
  • Kerry-Lugar Bill is a Qadiani conspiracy.
  • Resolution: (This conference) demands of rulers that drone attacks be disallowed over tribal areas, and the Kerry-Lugar Bill be rejected.
  • The conference expressed great concern and reservations over the extension of the US embassy, Kerry-Lugar Bill, presence of Black Water, drone attacks, (electric) load shedding and inflation.
Only a wily and foxy group of clerics can relate all the above to the theme of end of prophethood.

The mullas came up with a list of demands, as usual. This list is never ending; more than half a century ago they started with a list of 22 demands against Ahmadis; all these have been accepted by the state, however they keep on adding to this list with the passage of time. Hell is reputed to be a bottomless pit. Excerpts:
  • Lessons and readings on the dogma of ‘end of prophethood’ should be added to school syllabi so that the young generation should be fully conscious of safeguarding the ‘end of prophethood’ and the ‘honour of prophethood’ (Namus Rasalat).
  • The declarations (official permissions) of all Qadiani dailies and periodicals should be cancelled.
  • Qadianis continue to visit the holy places in Saudi Arabia, posing as Muslims. This assembly demands of the government that in order to deny Qadianis’ access to the Holy Shrines, column of religion should be added to the computerized national identity cards. (Note: Pakistani passports already carry this entry; this demand is a guileful way to demand the same entry in I.D. Cards to facilitate discrimination within Pakistan. Ed.)
  • All entry forms to educational institutions should bear, in addition to the column of religion, a statement on the importance and weightiness of the dogma of the ’end of prophethood’ and also a sworn certification (by the applicant) on the apostasy (kufr wa irtidad) of Mirza Qadiani.
  • The Chief Justice should take suo moto notice of illegal activities of Qadianis all over the country. The government should not reopen the settled case of Arabic madrassahs (Madaras al Arabia); these madrassahs are the fortresses of Islam and cradles of peace.
Whither human rights and freedom of religion and belief! All the above was said and demanded in a conference attended by a federal minister.

Following is also relevant and of interest, from the conference:
  • According to the daily Ausaf, volunteers in uniform had taken their positions in fortifications (morcha zan the).
  • Security duties were performed by the students of Jamia Dar ul Quran and Jamia Obeidia, Faisalabad, and personnel trained by Maulana Muhammad Akram Toofani (of Sargodha).
  • One of the speakers at the conference was mulla Alam Tariq, member of a banned organization and brother of the firebrand Mulla Azam Tariq (now dead).
  • The vernacular press dutifully played its corrupt role. The daily Jang published (gratis) messages from various mullas on the occasion: Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, Maulvi Abdur Razzaq Sikandar and Khawja Khan Muhammad. It also printed an article by Mufti Khalid Mahmud on October 15, 2009, which fanned the fire of communal hatred. The daily Nawa-i-Waqt fired the opening shot on October 14 by publishing an article by Jamal Nizami introducing the conference. Nizami wrote: (This) “Khatme Nabuwwat conference should be a war cry (tabl-e-jang) against the anti-Khatme Nabuwwat character of this government and against the tongues that oppose Khatme Nabuwwat.”
  • The first session of the conference was presided over by a mulla called Akram Toofani. He was not named Toofani by his parents; he adopted this name himself; it means a ‘typhoon’. Consider.
  • The attendance at the conference was 4000-5000.
Maulvi Ata-ur-Rahman the Federal Minister of Tourism attended the conference. The press reported his statement: Qadianis are using a number of political personalities as pawns to cover up their disbelief and apostasy (kufr o irtidad).

The Ahmadiyya community of Rabwah, in the light of the past experience, had to stay vigilant against any possible foray by these unwelcome guests. The mischief of the participating mullas, however, affected and motivated not only the participants but millions of readers of the vernacular press who published daily reports on the proceeding of the conference. The evil of their propaganda will have a bearing not only on Ahmadis, but also on the Pakistani public who are fed this fodder of obscurantism. The effect of this diet now manifests itself every day all over the country in the form of bomb blasts.

Murderers arrested, but!

Multan: It is learnt that the police have arrested three men who have admitted to the murders of Dr. Shiraz Bajwah, his wife Dr. Noreen and Rana Ataul Karim, Ahmadis. These murders were committed in March 2009 and August 2009 respectively. In Pakistan, an admission to the police can sometimes be disputable. The accused normally disown such admissions in the court.

Arrest of a murderer here is no guarantee that he will be punished for his crime. Often the police do a bad job in presenting adequate and credible evidence to the court. Also, it is not rare that for a crime committed under religious motivation, a judge may consider it rather pious to be lenient to the indicted criminal.

For example on October 7, 2005 a group of religious terrorists opened fire on Ahmadis in a mosque in Mong, District Mandi Bahauddin, where they were offering their morning prayers in congregation. The attack resulted in 8 Ahmadis dead and 20 injured. The police eventually arrested the culprits who had committed not only this crime but some others as well. The administration was confident of the guilt of the accused. However the trial judge of the anti-terrorism court acquitted them of the charge and set them free. In another incident two mullas murdered an Ahmadi in a Faisalabad bazaar in broad daylight on November 14, 2002. Subsequent to the arrest they proudly claimed that by dispatching the Ahmadi to hell they had performed only their religious duty. The trial judge, in his own wisdom, acquitted the accused who had held the victim firmly while the other stabbed him, and sentenced the one who wielded the knife to death. Later, on appeal, the High Court, in unprecedented way, reduced the death sentence of the murderer of the Ahmadi to 7 years’ imprisonment. The victim’s family, in protest, appealed to the Supreme Court who, in a summary way, dismissed the appeal and maintained the reduced sentence of the religiously-motivated convicted murderer.

Another Khatme Nabuwwat Conference with political agenda

Chichawatni: It is a matter of routine with mullas to fully avail of government’s deliberate negligence, and promote their political interests behind the curtain of End of Prophethood. They hold such conferences, and being very fond of publicity they get the proceedings published in the vernacular press. This way, they expose their mundane and unbecoming designs, but considering their eventual interests, they are not shy of such an exposure. The daily Aman, Faisalabad of October 29, 2009 reported on such a Khatme Nabuwwat conference in Chichawatni. We produce below the headlines and excerpts from the text:

Qadiani group is active in anti-Pakistan conspiracies — Maulana Alam Tariq
The on-going operation in Waziristan is not anti-terrorist; it promotes further the American terrorism.
The US is receding after its defeat in Afghanistan; now it is using Pakistan as cannon fodder.
Maulana Iftikhar Ahmad Haqqani, Qari Ehsanullah Farooqi, Syed Suleman Gilanil, Maulana Kalimulla and other leaders address the Shuhada Khatme Nabuwwat Conference.

Chichawatni (correspondent): Under the auspices of Tehrik Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat, in memory of the martyrs of Khatme Nabuwwat Sahiwal, Qari Bashir Ahmad Habib and Azhar Rafiq, the speakers at the ‘Khatme Nabuwwat Conference’ said that Qadiani group is playing its part in dangerous conspiracies against the beloved country (Watne Aziz)….
Abdul Latif Cheema said that events prove that the on-going operation in Waziristan is not against terror but it is being carried out to promote further the American terrorism. Under the cover of terrorists, it is innocent people, children and women who are being slaughtered. He said that now the US is withdrawing having lost the war in Afghanistan, it is using Pakistan as cannon fodder (eindhan). He further stated that Qadiani Mission in Israel lies in ambush against our nuclear assets. … Maulana Muhammad Alam Tariq said that religious institutions and parties are the guardians of the country’s ideological and geographical frontiers; those who accuse them of extremism etc are loyal to and represent the world of infidels (Alam e kufr).…
Speakers at this conference, held under the management of Maulana Abdus Sattar and Qari Manzur Ahmad Tahir of Jame Masjid Noor High Street Sahiwal, as also organized by Qari Saeed s/o the martyr, Qari Atiq-ur-Rahman and Qari Bashir Ahmad, included:
Abdul Latif Khalid Cheema secretary general of Majlis Ahrar Islam Pakistan, Maulana Muhammad Alam Tariq a distinguished cleric, Maulana Iftikhar Ahmad Haqqani the secretary general of JUI (Punjab), Qari Ehsanullah Farooqui of Karachi, Syed Suleman Gilani, Maulana Kalimulla Rashidi, Maulana Shahid Imran Aarifi, Maulana Manzur Ahmad Qasim and others.

From the press reports it appears that hardly anything was said in the conference on the subject of ‘end of prophethood’. The speeches were restricted to Waziristan, the US and terrorism.

Anti-Ahmadiyya activities at various locations

Anti-Ahmadiyya propaganda went on throughout the country during the month. Some incidents are reported below:

Dhani Deu, Chak 332/J.B; District Toba Tek Singh:

Some religious activists are trying to disturb the law and order situation by instigating people against the Ahmadiyya community in the area. It is learnt that the mulla incharge of the local madrassah, committee members of the local Ahl-e-Sunnah mosque and a few others belonging to Sipah-e-Sahaba (a banned organization) are behind these activities.

In the village, there is a private elementary school owned by an Ahmadi. His opponents have asked the students to procure them some Ahmadiyya pamphlets so they could use them to fabricate a complaint to the police for preaching. They have urged the parents of some students to make a statement that their children are preached Ahmadiyyat at the school. This situation has disturbed the school proprietor who is also the president of the local Ahmadiyya community. According to him the situation is getting serious by the day and might result in some unpleasant incident.

Bhaun, District Chakwal

Anti-Ahmadiyya activities are rampant in Bhaun too. Provocative pamphlets were distributed here openly after the Eid prayer on September 21, 2009. It contained baseless newspaper accusations that Qadianis are not loyal to the country; 600 Qadianis are being trained in the Israeli army; and Qadianis helped the Indian army in the war against Pakistan. The pamphlet urged total boycott of Ahmadi businesses in the town. It mentioned their names as well. It bore no address.

Ahmadiyya community has lived peacefully in the area for the past 50 years. The new situation has been brought to the notice of local authorities. Shah Maskeen, District Sheikhupura: The Ahmadiyya community here has faced a total boycott in the past which lasted more than two years, from September 1974 to December 1976. Now again the communal temperature is rising. Khatme Nabuwwat agitators have distributed leaflets and done wall-chalking against the community. The local Ahmadiyya community is concerned about its security, and has taken precautions to avoid any nasty incident.

Barali, District Kotli, Azad Kashmir

The situation has been tense here for Ahmadis for a long time. Non-Ahmadis held here nominally a Milad conference in the local mosque on September 10, 2009, but their anti-Ahmadiyya intentions were no secret. Authorities were informed accordingly, well before the date. The police arrived there at the start of the conference, and stayed till the end. Mullas used abusive language against the community and its holy founder. They told Ahmadis to live like a non-Muslim minority, not to pray and not build any mosques etc. They used abusive language in the presence of the police and administration. The conference disturbed social peace of the locality.

Khuda Abad, District Badin

In this area anti-Ahmadiyya activities have persisted, and small towns and villages have been affected. Khuda Abad is a small town in district Badin, Sindh. It is home to a madrassah. They held a conference there, in which people were instigated against the Ahmadiyya community. Pamphlets containing corrupted and out-of-context writings of the founder of the community were distributed in bulk. It was written on the pamphlets that one who photo-copies it and distributes it further will get great reward from God.

Update on Dr Muhammad Asghar's blasphemy case

Dr Asghar, an elderly Ahmadi, was arrested on a fabricated charge of blasphemy in June 2008. The judge rejected his plea for release on bail. The police investigation found him innocent. Subsequently his plea for bail has been rejected by the High Court and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has directed his expeditious trial which is now in progress.

According to the latest information, his latest date for appearance before the Sessions Court was October 20, 2009; however no proceedings took place on that date. The fresh date given is November 7, 2009.

Dr Asghar has been in prison now for almost a year and half for a crime he would never even consider committing. No bail, either. A queer system of justice!

Roads of Rabwah - in ruin

The daily Express, Faisalabad of October 25, 2009 filed the following story:

Roads of Chenab Nagar are in ruins; cause frequent accidents.
Not a penny was spent on the construction and repair of roads for the last 15 years. People demand immediate notice.
Chenab Nagar (Express correspondent): Not a penny has been spent on the roads in Chenab Nagar during the last 15 years. As a result, all roads of the town are in ruins. The College Road, Aqsa Road, Rajeki Road, Ghordor Road, Basti Eesaiyan Road, Sahiwal Road and other roads have all become dilapidated. The main Aqsa Road of the town on which all governmental offices, banks and shopping centres are situated, likewise the College Road on which the boys’ college and high school are situated as also offices of eight major departments, are dotted with craters. Drivers trying to avoid them hit other vehicles. Several individuals have hurt themselves and lost their limbs in such accidents. Hundreds of complaints have proved futile. The Human Rights Committee and other social organizations of the town have demanded the district administration to take immediate notice.

Neglect at the PTCL office - Rabwah

The daily Din, Lahore reported the following concerning the quality of service in Rabwah of the denationalized telephone company PTCL:

Chenab Nagar: Negligence of PTCL; customers face difficulties; strong protest from the people
There are 700 DSL connections in Chenab Nagar, but no operator is available to install and maintain them.
Chenab Nagar (correspondent): Customers of the broadband face tremendous difficulties due to the PTCL’s departmental carelessness. According to the details 700 DSL connections have been provided in Chenab Nagar but no operator is available to install and maintain them. 300 devices for new connections have been distributed, but many of them have not been installed yet. The customers are tired of repeated visits to the PTCL office. They are given the phone number of the Director Broadband and are told that the task is beyond their local capacity. Hakeem Munawar Ahmad, a customer said that he has developed blood pressure due to his repeated visits to that office. Students are also affected badly due to PTCL’s inefficiency. There is none to attend to the malfunctioning old connections as well. Customers of PTCL have demanded that higher officials appoint a DSL operator immediately to resolve the people’s problems.

Ahmadis behind bars
  1. Mr. Muhammad Iqbal was imprisoned for life in a fabricated case of blasphemy. He was arrested in September 2004, and is now incarcerated in the Central Jail, Faisalabad. An appeal lies with the Lahore High Court against the decision of the Sessions Court. It is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 89/2005. He is now in the. His appeal is under process these days.
  2. Three Ahmadis namely Mr. Basharat, Mr. Nasir Ahmad and Mr. Muhammad Idrees along with 7 others of Chak Sikandar were arrested in September 2003 on a false charge of murder of a cleric, alleged by opponents of the Jamaat. The police, after due investigation found no evidence against the accused. Yet these men still faced ‘complaint trial’ for a crime they did not commit. Based on the unreliable testimony of the two alleged eye-witnesses (who were proven false in the court) the court acquitted seven of the accused, but on the evidence of the same two liars the court sentenced these three innocent Ahmadis to death. They are being held in a death row at a prison in Jehlum, while their appeal lies with the Lahore High Court. They are now in the seventh year of their incarceration. Their appeal to the Lahore High Court is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 616/2005 dated 26 April 2005.
  3. Dr. Muhammad Asghar was arrested on a fabricated charge of blasphemy in June 2008. The judge rejected his plea for bail. The police investigation found him innocent. Subsequently his plea for bail has been rejected by the High Court — and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has directed his expeditious trial which is now in progress.
From the Press

Bado Malhi: Qadiani arrested for preaching Mirzaiat in the open. His companion fled. Javed Ahmad and Hameed Tahir were converting the poor and destitute by offering them financial support. The Sunni and Shia Ulama requested police intervention. Police raids continue to arrest the other accused.
The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 1, 2009


The United States will always seek to counter negative stereotypes of individuals based on their religion and will stand against discrimination and persecution.
Hillary Clinton quoted on subsbaptistpress.org; posted on October 29, 2009


Shariah penalty of death should be imposed to bury the mischief of Qadianism. — Maulvi Faqir Mohammad
Rabwah was named Chenab Nagar on my instigation, and the Muslim Colony was built up over 50 acres of (Rabwah) land.
The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; October 26, 2009


Qadiani places of worship should be disfigured to look unlike a mosque. Shariah penalty for apostasy (death) should be imposed. — Tehrik Khatme Nabuwwat
The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 28, 2009


The country is faced with the conspiracy to push it into blood and fire. — (Mulla) Qari Allah Yar Arshad
The daily Khabrain, Lahore; October 6, 2009


Qadianis are busy in conspiracies. The sword of PPC 295-C should continue to hang over the minorities’ heads — Mutahiddah Tehrik Khatme Nabuwwat
The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 6, 2009


Bloodshed in the tribal areas is a result of Qadianis’ intervention. — Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat
The daily Aman, Faisalabad; October 17, 2009


Residents of Chenab Nagar in grave protest over non-availability of drinking water. The Public Health Engineering (Department) started laying water pipes three years ago, but residents remain deprived of water.
The daily Jang, Lahore; October 28, 2009


Street lights disappear. Chenab Nagar roads plunge in darkness. Only 6 bulbs glimmer on six main roads. Authorities urged to take immediate notice.
The daily Express, Faisalabad; October 7, 2009


Chenab Nagar: SDO WAPDA and staff indulge in robbing the people. Bill distributors deliver the bills one day before the last date. Fresh applicants for electric connection are required to bribe the staff.
The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 29, 2009


Chiniot: Khatme Nabuwwat march, from Aziz Sharif valley to Chenab Nagar will be held on October 4. Thousands will participate in the Khatme Nabuwwat march with Khawaja Mahboob Ilahi in the lead.
The daily Khabrain, Lahore; October 1, 2009


92 Killed in Peshawar market blast. Toll may rise as 217 injured.
The daily News, Lahore; October 29, 2009


October 09: 270 dead in 14 terrorist attacks. Explosions continue.
The daily Aman, Faisalabad; October 29, 2009


Suicide attack on D G Khan bus stand 9 months ago: J I leader, kin arrested
The daily News, Lahore; October 26, 2009


Students terrorized. All schools, colleges closed nationwide.
The Daily Times, Lahore; October 21, 2009


Lal Masjid (in Islamabad) is still training militants?
The daily Dawn, Lahore; October 25, 2009


Peshawar bleeds after suicide attack; 52 dead
The daily News, Lahore; October 5, 2009


Fazl offers to mediate between govt and Taliban.
The daily Dawn, Lahore; October 5, 2009


Madrassahs are the citadels of Islam; no power on earth can close them down. — Maulana Zahid-ur-Rashdi
The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 27, 2009


Pro-Qadiani statements; protests all over the Punjab against Kerry-Luger Bill

…According to the details, the Jamaat Islami, Tehsil Muridke held a protest demonstration at the GT Road after the Friday prayers. The (JI) Amir of Muridke city, Syed Taed Manzoor said that the US is indulging in despicable attempts to subjugate Pakistan through drone attacks, introduction of agencies including the Black Water and the Kerry-Lugar Bill. …The Sunni Tehrik Hafizabad took out a rally from the Al Farooq Mosque (chanting) Khatme Nabuwwat Long Live and Death to Qadianis. They demonstrated in great strength. The participants raised slogans against Qadianis, Salman Taseer the Governor Punjab, Altaf Hussain the MQM leader, Aasma Jehangir and the government, and said that the Blasphemy law will be protected at all costs.
The daily Waqt, Lahore; October 3, 2009


Blasphemer sentenced to life and fined Rs. 100,000 in Bahawal Nagar. The accused Zaman was under prosecution for the past one year in the Sessions Court for false claim to prophecy.
…At this occasion (of announcement of the judgment) thousands including the Ulama participated (sic).
The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 1, 2009


Madrassahs of all denominations will be granted the status of a Board. The students would be (thus) eligible to join the Army and the Police. — Rehman Malik (The Minister of Interior)
The daily Khabrain, Lahore; October 1, 2009


Bangla Desh: Hizb-ut-Tehrir, an Islamist organization banned.
The daily Pakistan, Lahore; October 24, 2009


Azad Kashmir (Sardar Yaqoob Khan) premier resigns.
The daily Dawn, Lahore; October 15, 2009
(Note: Sardar Yaqoob took over only a year earlier; he soon facilitated a Khatme Nabuwwat conference and declared therein: “Those who seek to ouster me as the prime minister will be disappointed. Allah who installed me as prime minister might appoint me life-time prime minister in response”. Ed.)

Op-eds

Rulers the only minority
(Note: A loaded heading of an article regarding a political truth about Pakistan)
Article by Javed Naqvi in the daily Dawn;October 15, 2009


Bring back Jinnah’s Pakistan

Had a large part of the Middle Eastern region and parts of South Asia been able to heed Jinnah’s words that religion, caste and creed “has nothing to do with the business of the state” the world may well have been in better shape today. It is possible that the extremism that has galloped away in these areas would not have taken root had various states not been allowed to force upon the world their dangerously distorted version of a religion.
Ardeshir Cowasjee in the daily Dawn, November 1, 2009


A state or fiefdom?

Also reported from Lahore is the high-handedness of police in warning the Ahmadi shopkeepers of Green Town to remove religious verses exhibited in their shops within two days. The police were obviously trying to create an alibi of themselves if the fanatics of the locality were to vandalize the Ahmadi shops or cause bodily harm to the owners. The police were thus encouraging crime rather than preventing it.

Ironically, crimes against women and minorities are showing up at their worst in a province where the chief minister is reputed to be tough both on criminals and delinquent officials. The recent murders of Christians in Gojra, Sambrial and other places call Shahbaz Sharif’s stern reputation into question. Murders of Ahmadis and the targeting of their places of worship have also taken place in Punjab.
Kunwar Idrees in the daily Dawn of October 11, 2009
 
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