RI media playing up Ahmadiyah issues: expert

NATIONAL Thu, 04/07/2011 7:19 PM

RI media playing up Ahmadiyah issues: expert

The Jakarta Post

A communications expert from Surabaya’s Airlangga University has accused the Indonesian media of playing up the issues of Islamic minority sect Ahmadiyah, saying there is actually no such thing as religious conflict in Indonesia.

Rachmah Ida, a lecturer in communication science, further said that the Indonesian media were “politicizing” religious issues for the sake of business and political interests.

“They play up more or less the same issues, such as religious and ethnic conflicts, unity in diversity issues, the failed state … “Rachmah said as she addressed a workshop of the Asia Journalism Forum (AJF) in Singapore on Thursday.

“The Indonesian media have never changed their stance on Ahmadiyah, and that speaks a lot about how much they’re playing with the issue,” she added, as quoted by Antara.

Rachmah cited as an example how a major Indonesian publication group publishes two newspapers in Maluku, which was plagued with religious conflicts between Muslims and Christians in the past.

One of the newspapers sided with the Muslims and the other with the Christians.

She said the group tried to appear balanced, but actually it only did that for the sake of its business.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved
URL: www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/04/07/ri-media-playing...

Indonesian Media Flaws Fuel Interreligious Conflict, Experts Say

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Indonesian Media Flaws Fuel Interreligious Conflict, Experts Say

Ulma Haryanto | February 03, 2010

Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) protesting in front of the Ahmadiyah secretariat in Makassar. (Antara Photo)

The Indonesian media must learn from the mistakes made in covering the bloody sectarian conflict in Ambon as it seeks to report on the disturbing increase in similar interreligious violence breaking out across the country, experts say.

Eni Mulia, executive director of the Association for National Media Development (PPMN), told the Jakarta Globe on Wednesday that most of the media coverage of these disputes touched only on the violence itself, without putting into context why it erupted or how it could be resolved.

“Religious conflicts happen almost every day or at least every other day, yet no newsroom in this country has the capacity or resources to facilitate open discussion of this topic, while some chose to avoid it altogether,” she said at a training seminar.

“So we feel it would be right to train journalists on how to act or face conflicts to find a peaceful resolution in covering religious conflicts.”

Eriyanto, a researcher from the Indonesian Survey Circle and one of the guest speakers at the seminar, elaborated on the role of the mass media in covering the bloody sectarian conflicts in Sampit, East Kalimantan, and Ambon, Maluku.

Reports of fatalities from the Ambon conflict, which ran from 1999 to 2006, vary from 4,000 to as much as 10,000, while an estimated 860,000 people were displaced.

“When regions in Ambon were segregated into Muslim and Christian areas, the media became a tool for propaganda,” Eriyanto said.

He added this role was filled by fundamentalist media outlets such as the Voice of Maluku Muslim Crusaders, a radio station backed by the Laskar Jihad.

The latter, who have since been disbanded, were a Java-based militant Islamic group that fueled the Ambon strife by recruiting and sending a constant stream of fighters to the conflict zone.

Eriyanto said his research showed that 80 percent of reporters who filed stories on that conflict were not always writing from the scene, but were basing their reports mostly on witness accounts that were subjective, one-sided and often simply hearsay.

“At a time when it was dangerous, even life-threatening, to go to the other religion’s area, these journalists, who were obviously unprepared for covering a religious conflict, could only rely on their limited sources,” he said.

“False or unverified news only made the situation worse, while reporters became emotionally involved and could only report from their own areas.”

Ambon today remains relatively sensitive to religious strife and its Muslim and Christian communities continue to live in segregation, as confirmed by two Ambon reporters taking part in the seminar: Firman Attamimi from the Ekspresi Ambon daily and Harry Radjabaycolle, a contributor for Jakarta-based TVOne .

“This is why I joined the seminar,” Firman said.

“I think that of all the provinces in Indonesia, Ambon is one of the most conflict-prone areas and that’s also why peace journalism has become important, because it teaches reporters how to stay balanced in covering these kinds of incidents.”

The seminar, held from Jan. 24 to 28, drew journalists from across the country. Among those invited to speak were Ihsan Ali Fauzi from Paramadina University and Burhanuddin Muhtadi, an analyst with the Indonesian Survey Institute.

Others served as mentors for participants, including Tempo editor Jajang Jamaludin, Media Indonesia deputy director for daily news Usman Kansong and Ade Wahyudi, from radio station KBR68H.

Former Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) director Asfinawati spoke on the legal framework for religious freedom, while Ahmadiyah’s Zafrullah Ahmad Pontoh, Indonesian Churches Union (PGI) member Gomar Gultom, and Dewi Manti, representing the animist Sunda Wiwitan, sect, spoke about the challenges facing their respective religions.

Copyright 2010 The Jakarta Globe
URL: www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/indonesian...say/420624

Life after the attacks

Life after the attacks

   by GUEST on 06 14th, 2010 |

Life in the neighbourhood, where two Ahmedi places of worship in Lahore were attacked by terrorists on May 28, goes on but under a shadow of fear.

The presence of gun-toting policemen and other community members (including the Ahmedis) guarding the gates of the places of worship in Garhi Shahu and Model Town’s C Block, indicates the level of fear in the neighbourhood. The Jamaat-i-Ahmedi centre, Darul Zikr is located on one end of Garhi Shahu and although bunkers have been placed in front of the main entrance, people are still terrified to enter.

The observance of the death anniversary of Dr. Sarfaraz Naeemi on Saturday (June 12) was a grim reminder of the terrorist attacks the area has witnessed in the past one year. Dr. Nameei, the principal of Jamia Naeemia madressah was killed on June 12, 2009 in a suicide attack at the seminary’s office. A section of the road leading to the madressah was cordoned off as police and volunteers frisked each person before allowing them to enter to pay their respects.

“We are sitting on gunpowder,” said Shahzad, the supervisor of Faizan Filling Station located near the main entrance of Darul Zikr. Shahzad said the filling station remained safe during the attack because of pure luck. “But I shudder to think the extent of damage the fuel station could cause if it came directly under attack,” he said.

Sales have declined considerably as people avoid coming near the vicinity of Darul Zikr, mindful of another potential attack. “We have no choice because this is our source of livelihood.”

Malik Mehmood owns a rent-a-car business in a plaza across from Darul Zikr. Mehmood was witness to the attacks and claims how apprehensive everyone in the community has become. Usman lives in the street adjacent to where the attacks took place. According to him, people are now using alternate routes to avoid going near Darul Zikr. He said fear escalated particularly on Friday June 11, as the Ahmedi community gathered for prayers. “The street remained deserted almost the entire day,” he said.

Those living within the barricaded streets are subjected to scrutiny by armed guards at the street entrance. Faqir Mohammad, a chowkidar at a house adjacent to the place of worship, talked from behind a small window in the huge gate but before doing so, he carefully scrutinised this reporter. “We are safe here,” he said. “Our children do not go out.” he snapped. In the background, a few guards with guns could be seen.

An employee (wishing to remain anonymous} of an office set up in a house at the corner of the street said that the police allowed entries to the company vehicles whose registration numbers they knew. He wondered whether life was safe anywhere else in the city – Lahore has been subjected to at least four terrorist attacks (safe houses of security agencies were the earlier targets) in the past year.

The place of worship in Garhi Shahu is located next to huge parks (between blocks C and D). But the attacks have not deterred the children from playing; matches were being held on the two cricket grounds and preparations were underway for a football game in the third ground when this reporter visited the area.

“Yes, these are hard times. But life must go on, we cannot continue living in fear,” said the gardener of the football field.

Intikhab Hanif contributed for Dawn.com

©2010 DAWN Media Group. All rights reserved

URL: http://blog.dawn.com/2010/06/14/life-after-the-attacks/

Frayed ends of sanity

Dawn.com Blog

Frayed ends of sanity

   by NADEEM F. PARACHA on 05 29th, 2010 |

Over and over again I have been using Dawn and Dawn.com to hit home the point about the vicious, soul destroying mindset the bulk of Pakistan’s urban middle-classes (especially in the Punjab) have fallen in to.

I have tried to give numerous examples to highlight this devastating observation and here again is another one: On May 28 when terrorists associated with what is called the ‘Punjabi Taliban’ attacked various places of worship of the Ahmadiyya community in Lahore, the TV channels were out in force covering the gruesome event. However, that did not stop them from running happy-go-lucky commercials of their corporate sponsors during breaks, giving the whole event a rather surreal feel.

But this can be expected from this unfortunate republic’s many TV channels. There is now not an iota of doubt left about the level of sheer cynicism, sensationalism and demagoguery that they operate on. Most of them have become a reckless reflection of some of the most obnoxious, conspiratorial and chauvinistic sections found within the country’s convulsing middle-classes.

That said, one however does expect some semblance of decency and reason in the polished corridors of the companies that advertise their brands on these channels. Couldn’t any of these companies that always claim to be ‘good social citizens’ have the presence of mind and heart to ask TV channels to stop running their ads during the coverage of blood-splattered events?

Can’t they see how strange their ads look and sound when squeezed between images of blood, gore and tragedy? Don’t these ads with an unending series of plastic smiles and jingly material-worshipping actually end up mocking the tragedy that is unfolding live on the TV screens?

I don’t think such a thought even crosses their minds. And how can it when a number of the same companies so nonchalantly end up sponsoring TV shows run by utter hate-mongers. It’s quite a sight, really, watching macho, loud demagogues and so-called TV anchors spiting venom against the West and then asking for a break that are riddled with commercials of Western multinationals.

A religious TV show on a popular TV channel that in 2009 instigated violence against the Ahmadiyyas continues to be sponsored by various colas, facial creams, telecom brands and shampoos, and so is the show whose host is under scrutiny for allegedly having sympathies and links with terrorist organisations.

In my eyes the companies who claim to represent the decent, ‘family-oriented’ and peaceful ‘modern’ sections of the educated urbanites carry an equal amount of blame as do the channels that let hate-mongers run amok in the studios just to jack up their ratings.

It’s like shouting populist slogans mingled with idiotic juice, milk and telecom jingles over the dead bodies of all those unfortunate souls that these very channels so enthusiastically report and show.

Is there no one among us so-called educated urban classes with the sight, mind and conscience to at least question the kind of convoluted and surreal corporate-jihadi anarchy so clearly visible on TV channels?

Can’t we see that much of what is being preached and ‘debated’ on our channels in the name of religion, justice, reform and politics (and cynically being sponsored by multinationals), is one of the major reasons behind the confused and ravaged state our middle-classes (especially its youth) have come to suffer?

This is not an overstatement. Certain TV anchors and their shows have proven to have enough power to actually instigate violence. Examples are in abundance of idiots listening to idiots on TV, gathering hateful ideas about certain Muslim sects, ‘minorities,’ and personalities, with some actually going to the extent of committing murder in the name of religion.

And yet we can still see such TV anchors and their favourite side-kicks holding fort on prime-time television, and multinationals willingly sponsoring all the hatred and venom that is spewed on these shows.

So what is that narrative upon which a bulk of Pakistan’s ‘political’ and ‘religious’ TV programming is based on?

For years this narrative has gleefully been disseminated by the state, the clergy, schools and now the electronic media. It’s quite simple: Pakistan was made in the name of Islam (read, a theocratic state). Thus, only Muslims (mainly orthodox Sunnis) have the right to rule, run and benefit from this country. ‘Minority’ religions and ‘heretical Islamic sects’ living as Pakistani citizens are not to be trusted. They need to be constitutionally, socially and culturally isolated. Parliamentary democracy too can’t be trusted. It unleashes ethnic forces, ‘corruption’ and undermines the role of the military and that of Islam in the state’s make-up. It threatens the ‘unity’ of the country; a unity based on a homogeneous understanding of Islam (mainly concocted by the state and its right-wing allies). Most of our political, economic and social ills are due to the diabolical conspiracies hatched by our many enemies (especially India, Israel and the West in general). They want to break up Pakistan because Pakistan is the ‘bastion of Islam’ in a volatile region dominated by Indian, American and Shia Iranian hegemony. The many terrorist organisations operating in Pakistan are foreign funded …

This narrative can go on in its bizarre depiction of what we as a country are or should become. Not for a moment are we ready to stand back a bit and look at what we have made of ourselves and of what we call our home. We call ourselves ‘moderate Muslims,’ and yet applaud or quietly tolerate the hate-spewing claptrap that pours out from our mosques and TV screens. We cheer about the fact that Pakistan is one of the very few democratic Muslim countries with a constitution, and yet we will not speak a word about those clauses and sections in the same constitution that have triggered violence and repression against women and have sanctioned a religiously apartheid state that only allows the orthodox Muslim majority democratic rights to rule the country, or run in an election.

Isn’t it obvious that not only do these sections in the much celebrated constitution go against the modern-Muslim vision of men like Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Iqbal and Syed Ahmed Khan, but are also against the basic spirit of tolerance, mercy and justice so vividly present in the Quran?

We have clearly lost sight of what Pakistan was supposed to be: A democratic, modern Muslim country where religion had nothing to do with the matters of the state and where the so-called ‘minorities’ were free to practice their respective faiths.

These are not my words. And neither are they the words that Pakistani children are taught at school, in spite of the fact that these words and thoughts were spoken by the founder of the country, Jinnah, when he succeeded in carving out a country for the Muslims of the subcontinent, thinking that they would struggle under what he believed would become a ‘Hindu theocracy.’

So what happened to that Pakistan? The obvious culprits in this regard are the many years of repressive military regimes and their growing nexus with obscurantist forces that we have had to burden and face. But were the democrats any better?

The 1973 constitution that legitimised religious apartheid was inaugurated under a brilliant and popularly elected Prime Minister and approved by equally elected members of the parliament. And even though the same constitution was further riddled with myopic laws against religious minorities and women by a fanatical and hypocritical ‘Islamic’ dictatorship, how many democrats that came after the demise of this dictatorship ever bothered to at least debate or review these laws?

So much has become taboo in this country — so much so that the question now arises, can we ever become a truly free, enlightened and intellectually robust nation? Or will we keep hiding behind our fragile masks of religiosity and ‘patriotism,’ a mask that goes up in front of our faces every time we are confronted by a situation in which our views and actions (especially in the name of faith) are questioned.

We do not debate. We react and then huddle up behind our flimsy and lopsided historical and national narratives for reassurance, cursing the world for our ills, looking out for ‘infidels’ and ‘heretics’ among us, or for scapegoats in the shape of media-constructed punching bags.

The nightmare we are living today has a lot to do with all this. We remain in a slumber, carving out an isolated ideological comfort zone for ourselves, while obnoxious, sectarian and so-called puritanical keepers of the faith attack and kill in the name of God whenever and however they please. We claim to be treading a middle-path between liberalism and fanaticism, when the truth is, it is exactly the middle-path that has gone entirely missing in how we think, behave, act and react.

 


 

Nadeem F. Paracha is a cultural critic and senior columnist for Dawn Newspaper and Dawn.com

©2010 DAWN Media Group. All rights reserved
URL : http://blog.dawn.com/2010/05/29/frayed-ends-of-sanity/

Smokers’ Corner: It fell from the heavens

---Daily Dawn, Pakistan

Columnists

Smokers’ Corner: It fell from the heavens
  By Nadeem F. Paracha
  Sunday, 18 Apr, 2010

Recently religious programming on TV channels has come under scrutiny for various reasons. One of the biggest concerns is how some of these programmes have gone on to advocate violence against so-called minority sects and religions, and the way they use obscure traditions and biased interpretations of the scriptures to deride certain events and personalities.

Though both sides of the main sectarian divide (the ‘Barelvi’ and the Salafi/Deobandi) are given equal space on the channels, unfortunately, the preachers and TV hosts of both the sides have usually taken extreme positions on various issues. This includes exhibiting animated armchair radicalism by indirectly siding with monsters such as the Taliban and scoffing at the concept of democracy and liberal Islam, attacking them as misguided constructs worthy only of ridicule.

But the proliferation of conservative and at times rather demagogic religious shows on television is not exactly a new phenomenon. Its roots lie in the sudden growth of religious programming on the state-owned PTV from 1979 onwards, or two years after General Ziaul Haq’s intransigent military dictatorship started to find some firm footing following the toppling of a democratically elected government in 1977. According to a former PTV man Burhanudin Hasan’s book, ‘Uncensored’ (2000), there was almost a three-fold growth in religious programming on PTV in the 1980s.

This kind of programming was mostly sculpted to propagate the Zia regime’s Islamic credentials and laws, and to also justify and glorify the concept of armed jihad in the wake of Pakistan’s involvement in the anti-Soviet manoeuvres of the (US/ISI-backed) Afghan mujahideen. But is it possible to pinpoint an exact moment that triggered the whole trend of politically-motivated religious programming in Pakistan? It seems there is.

In July 1979, America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) announced that its ‘Skylab’ satellite that had been orbiting the planet since 1973 had developed a fault and was expected to fall to Earth. Nasa was not sure exactly where it would crash, but experts believed that the burly satellite was likely to fall either over Australia or over the Indian subcontinent. Though the same experts also stated that the satellite would start burning after it entered Earth’s atmosphere and most probably end up in the sea, the story took a life of its own in Pakistan.

PTV started running regular bulletins on the latest whereabouts of Skylab, usually read by Azhar Lodhi — a newscaster who would go on to become a ubiquitous presence on PTV across the Zia years. Lodhi maintained a sombre tone in the bulletins, and then started to punctuate them with equally sombre pleas for urgent prayers. Suddenly, most Pakistanis who till then had taken the affair lightly began using apocalyptic overtones while speaking (to PTV and newsmen) about the event. Many even went to the extent of wondering whether the fall of Skylab (on Pakistan) may announce the beginning of the Day of Judgment.

A tense strain of fear cut across society. It was as if the Zia regime was purposefully using the occasion (and TV) to instil fear into people’s minds by allowing Lodhi to use an apocalyptic tone, sermons and pleas for prayers, perhaps alluding that in such a testing hour Pakistan required a pious and Islamic regime (which, of course, the dictatorship was pretending to be). Interestingly, in those days, more Pakistanis visited Sufi shrines than mosques, with much of the urban populace going to the mosques only on special occasions such as Eid and sometimes for the Friday prayer.

However, with Zia’s Islamic laws coming into force, many Pakistanis saw themselves being led (mostly by fear) to the mosque as Lodhi continued to dramatically announce the closing in of the falling Skylab. It eventually fell on July 12, 1979, over the ocean and the deserts of Australia, and once the feared day did not come, the episode was forgotten but the apocalyptic outlook that it had triggered lingered. This grim point of view worked well for the Zia dictatorship to intensify its ‘Islamic’ manoeuvres and appeal, in which religious programming played an important role.

Interestingly though, the number of religious programmes actually fell after Zia’s death in 1988. But with the emergence and success of new, more modern sounding — albeit equally conservative and traditionalist — preachers in various urban drawing rooms from 1995 onwards, the new trend was picked up by various TV channels that erupted in the early 2000s.

What we see today on these channels as religious shows is directly linked to the said trend, but this trend’s roots too lie in that bizarre Skylab incident that first triggered and shaped the kind of conservative and alarmist mindset required for such programming to flourish.

©2010 DAWN Media Group. All rights reserved
URL: www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-librar...-fell-from-the-heavens-840-hh-03

Journalists urged to learn more about religion

--- The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Indonesia

National | Thu, 08/20/2009 10:06 AM

Journalists urged to learn more about religion

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Knowing about religion is essential to understand many major news stories, but media in Indonesia and the United States have mostly failed to grasp the religious context of the news, concluded a book seminar.

“The world is religious and some say it’s getting more religious. The problem is most American journalists are ignorant about religious matters,” said Paul Marshall, a senior fellow at the Center for Religious Freedom, at a book review seminar titled “Blind Spot: When Journalists Don’t Get Religion”, on Wednesday.

Endy Bayuni, the chief editor of The Jakarta Post, said the situation was different in Indonesia.

“Religion has always been important for Indonesian people. Journalists respect religion. However, most editors in Indonesia prefer to avoid religious issues,” Endy said.

Endy added Indonesian media was used to avoiding religious issues since the New Order era. During that era, the government forbade the media from writing about religious issues, especially about the religious dimension of conflicts.

He added most media had been reluctant to write about the harassment of religious minority groups like Ahmadiyah, or church attacks in Indonesia.

Bahtiar Effendy, a political professor at Jakarta Islamic State University, said most writing about religion by Indonesian journalists was shallow.

“Even the leading newspapers do not write with a deep understanding of religious matters, especially about Islam. But, they also do not make big mistakes,” Bahtiar said.

Marshall said there was an increasing demand for information about religious issues.

“In the book titled Blind Spot, the writers argue that in democratic countries, the role of religion in politics is increasing. Democracy is giving the world’s people their voice, and many want to talk about God,” Marshall said.

Marshall warned that taking religion as important part of journalism did not necessarily mean always writing about the religious issue in every story. “The most important thing is a journalist should understand whether the religion factor can help explain the story,” he said.

Marshall gave as an example the importance of religion in the Bali bombing case. “It is important to address that the perpetrators acted based on their version of Islam. Yes, most Indonesians do not believe in the bombers’ version of Islam, but still, Islam was an important factor in the bombers’ beliefs,” he said.

Bahtiar also said religion was an important factor explaining conflicts in political, economic or even legal spheres.

“In Indonesia, most Indonesian [journalists] like to view conflicts as triggered by differences between ethnicities, political stances, or the gaps in the economic situation.”

However, when there is a religious dimension in conflicts, the journalists prefer to overlook it, he added. Bahtiar said many journalists missed the connection between politics, the economy and religion.

“The journalists just have to study more. You cannot expect someone to master religion just because they are writing about religion in limited deadlines,” Marshall said. (mrs)

URL: www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...arn-more-about-religion.html

Another minority killing in 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

LONDON, 8 August 2009

PRESS RELEASE

ANOTHER MINORITY KILLING IN PAKISTAN

It is with great sadness that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that another member of its community, Rana Ata-ul Karim (36) was killed on 6 August 2009 in Multan, Pakistan. He was murdered simply for being an Ahmadi. Mr Karim, a well educated agriculturist, left his home for a few minutes in the afternoon and returned to find that his wife had been locked in their bedroom by three young men who had entered his home. Mr Karim was shot 3 times and died on the spot. The assailants immediately fled the scene. Mr Karim is survived by his wife and two daughters.

The killing came in a week where another minority group in Pakistan, members of the Christian community, have also faced persecution. Speaking about the current situation in Pakistan, the world Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The situation in Pakistan is extremely grave. So called Muslims continue to tarnish the name of Islam. Recently extremists in Pakistan have inflicted horrific cruelties on the Christian minority. The country is plagued with a lack of law and order, even though the authorities try to claim the contrary. In practice, where it comes to upholding the rights of a vulnerable citizen or group, all law and order is forgotten.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat condemns in the strongest terms the persecution faced by the Christian minority in recent days. What has happened there and also the continued persecution of Ahmadis is completely alien to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet Muhammad. The Holy Qur’an clearly states that ‘there should be no compulsion in religion’ but unfortunately this is an injunction that has been forgotten by parts of the Muslim world. This is the reason why Ahmadis such as Rana Ata-ul Karim are martyred on a regular basis in Pakistan and why the Government continues to uphold anti-Ahmadiyya legislation passed in 1974 and 1984.

For Pakistan to emerge from this period of self-destruction it must be governed with honesty and integrity. Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“In Pakistan the politicians are fearful of the power of the extremist clerics. Because of this no example of justice can be seen in the country.”

End of Release

Further Info: Abid Khan, Tel: +44(0)7795490682, Email: press at ahmadiyya.org.uk

Ahmadi children finally released

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

13 July 2009

PRESS RELEASE

AHMADI CHILDREN FINALLY RELEASED

Further to the Press Release issued on 7th July 2009.

The five Ahmadis arrested on 28th January 2009 in District Layyah, Pakistan, have today finally been released on bail.
Following a decision of the Multan High Court they were due to be released no later than 9th July 2009. However due to totally unnecessary delays the five Ahmadis, who include four minors, were kept in jail over the weekend.

As stipulated in the aforementioned Press Release, despite bail being granted, none of the charges have been withdrawn and this continues to be of great concern.

End of Release

Further Info: press @ ahmadiyya.org.uk

Ahmadi Children released on Bail after nearly Six Months imprisonment

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

7 July 2009

PRESS RELEASE

AHMADI CHILDREN RELEASED ON BAIL AFTER NEARLY SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is pleased to announce that the four Ahmadi children and one Ahmadi adult who have been imprisoned for nearly six months, following arrest in District Layyah, Pakistan, have today been granted bail.

Bail was granted by Justice Pervez Inayat, presiding in the Multan High Court, on condition of a fiscal guarantee of Rs200,000 being paid per person.

During the hearing the Superintendant of Police (SP), Mr Sardar Pervez Tareen was called by the presiding Judge to give evidence. The SP made it clear that there was absolutely no evidence connecting any of the accused with the alleged crime.

The five Ahmadis currently remain in jail, however it is expected that they will be released on 9th July 2009.

Press Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Abid Khan said:

“We are pleased that the five Ahmadis arrested have been granted bail and that they should now be released in a couple of days. All five have conducted themselves in a way that has been a credit to themselves, their families and to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

However these fabricated charges have not been withdrawn and because of this the matter remains of huge concern. It must be hoped that the local prosecutors see sense and bear in mind the evidence of the local SP and drop all charges against the accused. Only then will justice prevail.”

End of Release

Further Info: press @ ahmadiyya.org.uk

Another Ahmadi Muslim murdered in 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

29 May 2009

PRESS RELEASE

ANOTHER AHMADI MUSLIM MURDERED IN PAKISTAN

It is with great sadness that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that yet another member of its Community has lost his life in a senseless attack in Pakistan. Mian Laiq Ahmad (54), a well known Ahmadi trader in Faisalabad, died earlier today after being brutally attacked last evening. He becomes the 5th Ahmadi to be martyred in 2009 and the 101st to be killed in Pakistan since anti-Ahmadiyya laws were introduced by the Government of General Zia-ul-Haq in 1984.

Yesterday evening the deceased was returning to his home in ‘Peoples Colony’, when he saw a parked Toyota Corolla blocking the road outside his home. As Mr Ahmad neared his home he slowed down and at that point unknown persons jumped out of the Toyota and ran towards his car. It seems that at this point Mr Ahmad tried to reverse but just as he did so he was shot in the head. At that point the attackers closed in on Mr Ahmad and fired repeatedly at his stomach and arms. The assailants then fled the scene.

Mr Ahmad was taken to the local hospital immediately and then transferred to the ‘Allied Hospital’ but was unable to recover and today at 11.30am local time he passed away. Mr Ahmad is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.

Currently throughout Pakistan and in particular within the Punjab, anti-Ahmadiyya conferences are taking place on a regular basis. During these conferences audiences are instructed that there is a duty to kill Ahmadis and as a result uneducated yet indoctrinated people are led to believe that the bloodshed of innocent Ahmadis is something that will be greatly rewarded. It is of serious note that yesterday a similar such Khatme Nabuwwat was held near to where the deceased lived.

The International Community, Media and Human Rights organisations are all urged to take action to safeguard the basic human and civil rights of Ahmadi Muslims both in Pakistan and in other countries where they face discrimination. In an era where freedom of religion and belief is accepted as a basic human right throughout the world it is of disbelief that anti-Ahmadiyya legislation is still active and indeed still being enforced in Pakistan.

End of Release
Further Info: Abid Khan (press @ ahmadiyya.org.uk)

Attempt to behead Ahmadi Professor in 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

22 May 2009

PRESS RELEASE

ATTEMPT TO BEHEAD AHMADI PROFESSOR IN PAKISTAN

It is with great regret that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that one of its members, Professor Mubashar Ahmad (46) of Chakwaal, Pakistan, was the victim of a brutal and murderous attack last evening. The victim, who is a Professor at the Government Degree College, was attacked in his home by two young males who are students at the local madrassa (Islamic Religious College).

Just after the Maghrib prayer, the two students entered the home of Professor Ahmad and shouted:

“You are a Qadiani and so we have come to kill you.”

In act of gross violence the two students thereafter attempted to kill the victim by cutting off his neck. Professor Ahmad survived the attack however suffered extremely severe injuries. He was rushed to hospital immediately after the assailants fled his home and he remains in a critical condition.

One of the assailants was caught by neighbours of Professor Ahmad and is now in Police custody; the other assailant remains at large.

Grievous attacks on Ahmadis are becoming ever more common in Pakistan. Recently there has been a spate of anti-Ahmadiyya conferences and rallies that have been conducted by religious extremist organisations. Some of these rallies have been supported or even sponsored by the Government of Pakistan.

The Press Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Abid Khan said:

“It is extremely worrying that anti-Ahmadiyya public rallies are being staged throughout Pakistan and in particular the Punjab. During these conferences audiences are instructed that there is a duty to kill Ahmadis and as a result uneducated yet indoctrinated people are led to believe that the bloodshed of innocent Ahmadis is something that will be greatly rewarded.

This horrific attack on Professor Ahmad is but one example of an Ahmadi being targeted. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan continually brings incidents like this to the notice of the Pakistani authorities but repeatedly no action is taken. Consequentially the attacks continue to increase and occur with ever greater brutality. These attacks and threats have to stop and the Government must take immediate action to protect its citizens.”

End of Release

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

Note: The term ‘Qadiani’ is often used by non-Ahmadi Muslims to describe members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. The term refers to ‘Qadian’ which was the home town of the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

World leader prays for ‘unjust laws’ to be revoked in Malaysia

---Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International, UK

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

7 May 2009

PRESS RELEASE

On 28th April 2009 in a Press Release issued by this office it was confirmed that the Selangor Council of Islamic Religion (MAIS) had issued the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Malaysia with a notice ordering them to stop offering Friday Prayers at their National Headquarters. Various other activities had also been banned under the terms of the notice.

The Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Freedom of religion is a basic human right. Moreover it is a principle of Islam that each person has the right to choose and practice his religion without fear or coercion. Thus I regret very much the notice issued by the Selangor Council of Islamic Religion on 24th April 2009 which violates the right of Ahmadi Muslims in Malaysia from practising their religion freely. I hope and pray that these unjust laws are soon revoked.”

End of Release

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

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)

Brutal murder of Ahmadi hubsand and wife in Pakistan [Update]

---Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International

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

16 March 2009

PRESS RELEASE

Yesterday the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirmed that two of its members in Multan, Dr Shiraz Ahmad Bajwa and Dr Noreen Bajwa, were martyred in a brutal attack at their home in Wapda Colony.

Further details that have since been reported:

Dr Shiraz Bajwa was 37 years old and Dr Noreen Bajwa was 29 years of age. Both persons enjoyed extremely good reputations both professionally and personally. Both were extremely popular amongst their colleagues. Although they had faced threats for some time due to their being Ahmadi, neither of them ever reacted to the provocation that they faced.

On 14 March 2009 both bodies were discovered by their housekeeper at their home. The body of Dr Shiraz Bajwa was found lying in the bedroom, hands tied behind his back, mouth gagged, eyes blindfolded and with visible marks of strangulation apparent. The body of Dr Noreen Bajwa was found in the living room, hands tied behind her back, mouth gagged, blindfolded and bleeding from the nose.

All available evidence clearly demonstrates that this was a case of targeted murder. Both of the deceased were killed because they were Ahmadi Muslims.

These two murders bring the number of Ahmadis killed in Pakistan since 1984 to a staggering total of 100. That was the year when anti-Ahmadiyya laws were passed by the martial regime of President Zia ul Haq.

In 2009 alone 4 Ahmadis have been killed in Pakistan because of their faith.

End of Release
Further info: Abid Khan, (44) 07795490682

Brutal murder of Ahmadi hubsand and wife in Pakistan

---Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International

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

15 March 2009

PRESS RELEASE

BRUTAL MURDER OF AHMADI HUBSAND AND WIFE IN PAKISTAN

It is with great pain that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that two of its members were brutally murdered in Multan yesterday. The deceased, Dr Shiraz Ahmad Bajwa and Dr Noreen Bajwa were husband and wife and were both trained as doctors. Both martyrs were under the age of forty.

Yesterday at around 3.30pm local time, unknown assailants attacked Dr Shiraz and Dr Noreen at their home in Wapda Colony, Multan Road. The assailants first taped together the hands, feet and mouths of both victims. They then tied rope around their necks and strangled them to death. Following death Dr Shiraj was hung from a nearby fan.

Dr Shiraz was an eye-specialist who had served at various hospitals including the Fazl-e-Umer Hospital in Rabwah. At the time of his death he was working at a hospital in Wapda. Similarly Dr Noreen was working at a local children’s hospital. The Press Spokesman of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Abid Khan said:

“What occurred in Multan yesterday was an act of such cruelty that it can never be comprehended by decent and peace loving people. Dr Shiraz and Dr Noreen had been married for just three years. They had both chosen career paths which allowed them to serve their fellow men, women and children.

Pakistan is a country that is currently facing absolute ruin. Amongst this chaos the hateful acts of religious extremists are ever increasing, to the extent that loving, caring and innocent people are being murdered because they belong to a community whose motto is ‘Love for All, Hatred for None.”

The International Community, Media and Human Rights organisations are all urged to take action to protect the lives and rights of Ahmadi Muslims both in Pakistan and in other countries where they face discrimination. In an era where freedom of religion and belief is accepted as a basic human right throughout the world it is of disbelief that Ahmadi Muslims are being murdered for no other reason than their choice of religion.

End of Release
Further info: Abid Khan, (44) 07795490682

Fifteen Ahmadis charged in Pakistan under Anti-Ahmadiyya Legislation

---Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International

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

15 March 2009

PRESS RELEASE

FIFTEEN AHMADIS CHARGED IN PAKISTAN UNDER ANTI-AHMADIYYA LEGISLATION

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that a police case has been registered against fifteen Ahmadis at Sillanwali Police Station in District Sargodha, Pakistan. The Ahmadis are charged under Section 298C of the Pakistani Penal Code which is specifically an anti-Ahmadiyya piece of legislation. The accused Ahmadis are charged with having a place of worship, which they call a Mosque and use to offer Friday prayers and Eid prayers. Furthermore they are charged with ‘posing’ as Muslims because under the aforementioned Penal Code, Ahmadis are not allowed to class themselves as such.

Three persons, Mr Abdul Aziz, Mr Muhammad Ashraf and Mr Khizer Hayat have already been arrested and police raids are being conducted to in an attempt to arrest the remaining persons.

The background to this incident is that an Ahmadi in Sillanwali, Mr Khan Muhammad owns a few shops adjacent to the Ahmadiyya building, Baitul Zikr. A non-Ahmadi desired to hire these shops; however the owner refused this request, as was his absolute right. Thereafter the non-Ahmadi met with a local Mullah and together they conspired to fabricate a story in order to register a case against local Ahmadis. The complainant in this case is Maulvi Mushtaq.

It is of great regret that the discriminatory laws in place are a tool for religious extremists whose only wish is to deny Ahmadis the right to practice their religion peacefully and free from threats or violence.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is actively involved in dialogue in an attempt to secure the release of the three Ahmadis and to have the charges dropped, however thus far such attempts have failed. The three men arrested continue to be detained and yesterday a local Judge refused their application for bail.

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

Ahmadi Mosque attacked in Pakistan - Press Release

--- Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International

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

16 February 2009

PRESS RELEASE

AHMADI MOSQUE ATTACKED IN PAKISTAN

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat condemns an attack that took place on 11 February 2009 at its Bait-ul-Zikr Mosque in Sialkot, Pakistan. The attack left one Ahmadi Muslim, Mr Bashir Ahmad Salohi injured.

At around 7pm last Wednesday an unknown person or persons threw a hand grenade into the courtyard of the mosque. Fortunately the attack did not occur at prayer times otherwise it could have caused much greater damage.

Police sealed the entrance to the mosque following the attack, however so far no person has been detained with regard the attack. The evidence available suggests that the grenade had been built locally.

Abid Khan, Press Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat said:

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat continues to suffer in Pakistan. Ahmadis are unable to practise their religion peacefully and this is yet another example of local extremists attempting to intimidate members of the Jamaat.”

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

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)

Pakistan: Situation in District Layyah worsens

-- Press Release

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

2 February 2009

PRESS RELEASE

SITUATION IN DISTRICT LAYYAH WORSENS

It is with great regret that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that the Human Rights situation of its members in District Layyah, Pakistan is worsening. The five Ahmadis, who include four children, arrested on 28 January 2009 remain in police custody. They are not being allowed to meet with any persons, in direct contravention to the provisions laid forth in Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Pakistan is party.

Further, to the arrests of the five Ahmadis, in the village of Chak 172/TDA the situation is becoming increasingly tense due to the acts of religious extremists in the area. A social boycott against the Ahmadis has started whereby it is not safe for them to travel home via normal routes and they are unable to purchase even food from the local shops.

Inflammatory posters in opposition to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat are being displayed throughout the village.

Once again the International Community is urged to take immediate action to bring an end to the increasingly dangerous and threatening situation that is developing in District Layyah.

End of Release

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

Ahmadi children arrested on false charge in 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

30 January 2009

PRESS RELEASE

AHMADI CHILDREN ARRESTED ON FALSE CHARGE IN PAKISTAN

It is with great regret that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that five members of its community residing in Chak 172/TDA, District Layyah, Pakistan have been arrested and charged under Section 295-C of the Pakistani Penal Code. In a grave blow to any standards of decency, four of the accused are children studying at the English language ‘Superior Academy’ private school. Under the terms of Section 295-C any person found guilty is subject to either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

The arrests have been formally condemned by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), whilst Asma Jahangir the chairwoman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights has also condemned the arrests of the children as ‘heinous’.

The four accused children are Muhammad Irfan, Tahir Imran, Tahir Mahmood and Naseeb Ahmad. There are conflicting reports regarding the exact age of the children however according to both the ‘AHRC’ and ‘The Daily Times’ their ages range between 14 and 16. Mr Mubashar Ahmad, aged 50, has also been arrested under section 295-C.

All five were taken into custody on 28 January 2009 by virtue of a police raid on each of their homes. After four hours in custody each of the accused was charged under the terms of section 295-C on the completely false grounds that they had written the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the walls of a toilet at the Jamia Gulzar-e-Medina Mosque.

Mr Salim-ud-Din, Spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan said:

“These allegations are completely false and baseless. The police have no evidence whatsoever and have merely succumbed to the pressure of those who spread religious hatred in the region.”

It is of note that none of the persons arrested have any connection to the Gulzar-e-Medina Mosque and they do not live anywhere near it.

The Asian Human Rights Commission has stated:

“Family members were told (by the District Police Officer) that the police were under pressure from fundamentalists to act against the children. If he did not arrest them, the group had threatened to close down the whole city and attack the houses of Ahmadi sect members… The AHRC urges the government of President Asif Zardari to immediately release the illegally detained prisoners.”

The charge laid against the five Ahmadis is completely without foundation. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat reveres the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the final law bearing prophet, who brought with him a universal teaching. No disrespect towards him could ever be tolerated by any Ahmadi; man, woman or child. The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad wrote:

The charge laid against the five Ahmadis is completely without foundation. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat reveres the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the final law bearing prophet, who brought with him a universal teaching. No disrespect towards him could ever be tolerated by any Ahmadi; man, woman or child. The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad wrote:

“The man who in his being and his attributes and his actions and through his spiritual and holy faculties set an example of perfection and was called the perfect man was Muhammad (peace be upon him).”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat urges the immediate release of the five persons imprisoned and for all charges to be dropped. In a country which seeks to promote an image of tolerance to the Western world, it speaks volumes that peace loving children have been charged with an offence that sanctions the death penalty as a sentence.

The International Community, Media and Human Rights organisations are all urged to take action to secure the release of all of the accused in this matter. In an era where freedom of religion and belief is accepted as a basic human right throughout the world it is of disbelief that anti-Ahmadiyya legislation is still active and indeed still being so cruelly enforced in Pakistan.

End of Release

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