A muted response to minority killings
by Sana Saleem
by Sana Saleem
on 06 1st, 2010 | Comments (496)
http://blog.dawn.com/2010/06/01/a-muted-response-to-minority-killings/
Incomprehensible. That is the only word I can use to express my feelings about the indifference of people, the authorities, and the media towards the attacks against the Ahmadi community in Lahore on Friday. Attacks that were carried out in broad daylight, killing over 90 people and injuring many others. Attacks that turned into a hostage situation with over 1500 people at risk of being killed or fatally injured.
I am disappointed that there is no one to protest and lament the killings, especially since the Ahmadi community seems to have been silenced by years of discrimination and persecution. I was six years old and attending a Quran class when the maulvi sahib blatantly refused to teach two of my friends, Maham and Rija. I remember his words, his eyes flaming with hate as he refused to let them sit in his class, or even touch ‘their’ Quran. I did not understand why no one protested, why they had chosen to leave the room silently, as if the hate and discrimination was expected. I found myself in the same dilemma on Friday, when after one of the largest attacks against them in the history of Pakistan, this was the only official statement issued on behalf of the Ahmadi community:
Despite what has happened no Ahmadi has taken to the streets in protest; no Ahmadi has displayed anything but patience. Instead we have turned towards God and prayed for the victims, for their bereaved relatives and for the long term peace and prosperity of Pakistan. We will continue with this example no matter what is thrown at us in the full certainty that God is with us and always will be.
The only reality check regarding this horrifying episode has come from a woman who was attending to one of the people wounded in Friday’s attacks. She refused to accept a bouquet from Interior Minister Rehman Malik, and went on to lambast him for inadequate security provisions at the sites of worship. It was indeed ironic to see dozens of security guards accompany the interior minister to his trip to the hospital to visit the survivors of Friday’s attacks. If only half of those were present to guard the two sites that came under attack, this incident could have been prevented, or, if nothing else, casualties could have been minimised. There is thus absolutely no justification for this act of negligence.
Meanwhile, the social networks have also been abuzz with outrage. Twitter, in particular, was flooded with messages of condemnation, shock, and horror. Many were disgusted by the way in which media outlets were describing the sites that were attacked as ‘worship places’ instead of ‘mosques.’ Others accused the media of downplaying the casualties. Someone remarked how a popular news channel’s comments suggesting ‘worship places should have their own security’ were derogatory and inhumane. There were debates on whether the media channels will count those killed as ‘martyrs,’ and if not, then why not?
Here’s the thing: I do not care whether those killed on Friday will be labeled martyrs or not. It does not make a difference to me whether the authorities have traced the terrorist outfit responsible for this attack. I remain enraged that most of us refuse to recognise the attacks as a human rights issue, and, most importantly, as a violation of minority rights. And by ‘most of us,’ I am referring to those of us who are neither politicians, scholars, clerics, or media personnel. I have lived in Pakistan long enough not to expect the authorities to be sensitive towards the real issues of the people. But the public framing of Friday’s attacks is about the underlying hate, discrimination, and religious bigotry that has been suffocating us for years. This is about those of us who choose to use religion to justify inhumanity despite the gory images showing attacks on innocent civilians.
There is no justification for killing unarmed civilians – no religion or legal system allows a bunch of people to take the law in their hands and carry out barbaric acts of terror.
Today, I must confess that I am scared of the uncertainties the future holds. I fear that this attack might be one of many to come. And most of all, I fear that another attempt will be similarly downplayed and labeled an act of terrorism, rather than a violation of minority rights. The stabbing of an Ahmadi man at Narowal on Monday further strengthens my fears, especially as the threats of the assailant to “not leave any Ahmadi alive” serve as uncanny reminders of state-sanctioned discrimination against the Ahmadi community.
I feel that in our attempts to prove ourselves so-called pious Muslims and patriotic Pakistanis we have left humanity far behind. Our sympathies have become political, and our humanity has been compromised. Somewhere in our tussle to become pioneers of Islam and the darling of the West, we have stopped being human. For every atrocity that unfolds around us, we have a home-made conspiracy theory, a religious justification, or a history lesson with which to identify the culprits. But amid this information overload, the atrocities go ignored, priorities remain distorted, and the massacre continues.
For every one who witnessed the horrendous killings of Ahmadis this past week, I have one question: how many Garhi Shahos and Gojras will it take for us to stop abusing religious beliefs to justify killing innocent people?
Sana Saleem is a Features Editor at BEE magazine and blogs at Global Voices, Pro-Pakistan her personal blog Mystified Justice. She tweets at twitter.com/sanasaleem.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Imran says:
July 1, 2010 at 10:51
We all need to know that from where this problem starts ? The problem starts from the Goverment and Mosques and the hatred speeches from so Called MULLAHS/MOLVII. They pour there full of hate old and unrealistic speeches in to heads of inocent nation. For their own business.
We have seen this in recent years that this hate is mix with politics where they use this for getting vote.
I some time get astornished that why we always forgot that these Mullahs/Molvis are the evils/ who were against Pakistan and called our only hero Quaid Azam as Kafir e Azam. (Nauzbillah)
Please someone stop this on mass level that Pakistan is peach full nation of peaceful people, not of these extremist Mullahsss.
Bilal Ahmad Bajwa says:
June 27, 2010 at 18:08
Thanks for writing this thought provoking article. We need to abolish discriminatory laws from the constitution of Pakistan in order to discourage discrimination and hatred against Ahmadis. I strongly condemn this discrimination in the name of Islam.
My heart cries on killing of innocent and unarmed civilians who gathered to pray before almighty God, who is not private property of any specific religion.
Pakistani says:
June 17, 2010 at 5:41
Our called first foreign minister Zafar Ali Khan (Ahmedi) did not offer it for Mohammad Ali Jinnah and stood on side where as everybody was offering Namaz-e-Janaza.
L Ahmad says:
June 18, 2010 at 3:39
First foreign minister was not Zafar Ali Khan. Wrong. Please get your facts right.
Naeem Khan says:
June 21, 2010 at 8:54
The name of the first foreign Minister was Al-Hajj Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafarullah Khan, KCSI (6 February 1893 – 1 September 1985) was a also a personal friend and trusted adviser of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He did not offer prayers at his friend’s and the Father of the nation’s funeral because the man leading the funeral prayers Maulana Usmani had called Zafarullah Khan a “kafir” and had had proclaimed him “wajib -e qatl”. Had he offered funeral prayers behind this “jahil” maulana , all hell would have broken loose. In order to avoid this fiasco, he decided to stay on the sidelines. There were no issues with Muhammad Ali Jinnah but the issue was with the Jahil Maulana.
Just for your information -Maulana Maudoodi did not offer funeral prayers as well. I would like to know the reason why?
smalik says:
June 21, 2010 at 16:16
Right answer, now what you say Pakistani.
Dr.Inam says:
June 29, 2010 at 0:21
Offering janaza is not a farz. Islam cannot get in DANGER by some one not offering Janaza. It sure gets in DANGER with sectarian violence supported by Mullahs and people who are afraid of them.
FM says:
June 15, 2010 at 23:11
All so called liberal muslims commenting that ahmedis should have freedom to call themselves muslims, should know that Mr.Mirza declared and Ahmedis believe all of us (non-ahmedis) to be non-muslims.
Proof is on ahmedi website itself:
http://www.alislam.org/library/books/Truth-about-the-Split.pdf pg.70 & 71
(the ahmedi caliph author of the book subsequently testifies the belief that non-ahmedis are kafirs!)
Ahmedis call us non-muslims, and then tell us(in comments) that calling anyone non-muslim is wrong!! Wake up people to their deceptive tactics.
O J DEEN says:
June 19, 2010 at 23:26
Now, as stated in the Holy Qur’an, you have been created for the good of mankind. So, it cannot be that a person should be created for the good of mankind, but nothing except mischief should come from him and mankind should suffer from him and be terrorized by him.
In fact, God Almighty has taught Muslims to work for the good of mankind, to guide them towards that which is good, to invite them towards God, their Creator, and to fulfil the obligations that they Now, let us see what the Holy Qur’an says about a True Muslim. God Almighty has commanded us, in the Holy Qur’an, that a Muslim should enjoin what is good and forbid evil; and if you do that, in that lies your greatness.
As God says,
“You are the best people raised for the good of mankind; you enjoin what is good and forbid evil and believe in God…” (Holy Qur’an, Ch. 3: v. 111)
Abdul says:
June 17, 2010 at 11:21
So your solution is to kill them!!!!
G H says:
June 17, 2010 at 10:55
No pdf file is available at this address. Give your reference with regard to MP3 audio file which is available.
Mubashir says:
June 17, 2010 at 6:25
I checked your reference but sorry to say that there in no proof of your allegation.You must keep in mind that there is great difference in Kafir and Non Muslim.A person who calls himself Muslim can be Kafir according to other sect and our Sectarian Ulmas are used to to give fatwas against other Sects. What is your opinion about them?
What we want is to stop this hate game.
Nas Khan says:
June 17, 2010 at 23:56
your reference is not working….
by the way I’m an Ahmadi and I’m never told that any non Ahmadi is non Muslim, infact all of our ulemas always say that “Who call himself as a Muslim is Muslim”.
Fais123 says:
June 17, 2010 at 22:10
The proof is irrefutable and leaves no doubt. How more clearer can it get?
@ GH : it is available definitely
@ Abdul: I certainly did not mean that, infact i’ve condemned the attacks strongly.
@Mubashir: So you saying its ‘OK’ if ahmedis categorically call non-ahmedis muslims. And ahmedis have been declared so unanimously by all learned Islamic scholars. Such an exclusion is unprecedented in the history of Islam and reflects the strongly diverging views of the community.
The attack is condemnable and it is sad too that such forums are being used for propagation of ahmedi religious beliefs in response to which I had to object.
This forum is principally for discussing minority rights and should not be converted into a religious debate.
Mubashir says:
June 18, 2010 at 23:46
So you want to stop Ahmadis from propagating their faith but same time you are trying to create hatred emotions against them. Which are most harmful for our society.
Only condemning is not sufficient. Change in behavior against Shias, Ahmadis, Christians & Hindus is needed to make our country Quaid’s Pakistan.
samrah says:
June 18, 2010 at 17:51
@FM
sir i checkd the pages you refferd…. bt no such claim has been made that ahmedis consider all Non-ahmedis as Non-muslims…
Fais123 says:
June 18, 2010 at 21:56
sorry for confusing you. It is page 56&57 of the book and 70&71 if you go by acrobat reader’s count.
K.Butt says:
June 15, 2010 at 9:21
No prophet after Mohammad (p.b.u.h).
Janjua says:
June 16, 2010 at 1:25
K.Butt!
It’s not a religious debate.. It’s about humanity and following the Uswa-e-Hasna of Holy Prophet (SAW).. He didn’t order the killings of even Kuffar-e-Makka so why are we killing the Non-Muslims in the name of Islam.
Haji Rafiq Tschannen says:
June 19, 2010 at 21:11
Indeed, there are things that need to be brought to justice in this life, such as murder, theft and there are things which Allah will judge in the next life, such as beliefs. Looking at Pakistan I think you would be sufficiently busy to judge in this life what needs to be judged.
MAK says:
June 14, 2010 at 13:37
Sana, I really admire your blog and the comments of all those who have participated in this blog, espacially those who do not belong to the Ahmadiyya Community.
May All help you all in your endeavours and give you courage and strength to keep raising voice fro the oppressed ones. Actually, this is the real message of Islam i.e. peace.
All we have to do is to speak the truth and say the Right as Right and Wrong as Wrong without any personal belongings. e.g. if a wrong is committed by our own Pakistani/Saudi/Muslim, we have to say it WRONG and condemn it. Similarly if any right is done by any Israeli/American/Jew/Hindu, we have to say it RIGHT and appreciate it.
please note that if majority of us start practicing the above principle, the days of the final success will not be far away, when the flag of Islam (peace) will fly high all around the world and there will be no oppression/persecution in the world and every one will get his rights.
May Allah help us all to spread and practice the real Islam not only in letter but also with spirit. May Allah be always with true followers of Islam.
Malik Usman Ahmed says:
June 14, 2010 at 10:32
For those who say that this is an attack on Muslims and Pakistan, there is no denying that. But what do you call an attack that comes at a time when there are banners in the city against the ahmedies?and what about a simultaneous attack on two Ahmadi’s place of worship ?
love4all says:
June 14, 2010 at 7:20
The solution is going to be complex but couple of thought are firstly we need to increase the level of education in our country and secondly we will have to some how get rid of these Mullahs.
Naeem Shahid says:
June 13, 2010 at 23:37
Assalam-o-alaikum and thank you very much Sana for speaking up for us . We are the Ahmadi’s who hold the banner Love for all hatred for none and we also act accordingly. People keep asking about our reaction or they ask to react somehow but our response is to be patient and to pray in the hour of need as told by The Holy Prophet PBUH ………….
There was no screaming at others, no one was out on the streets , there were only sounds of people praying and reciting Darood Sharif even at the time when the attack was going on and that was how we reacted and will be steadfast in being patient and with our prayers before Allah Inshallah and such was the example of the Sahaba Ikram the true followers of The Holy Prophet PBUH…….
Govt. of Pakistan never provided any security to Pakistani residence & his minorties……..
Govt. of Pakistan & mullahas are support for the Anti Ahmadiyya Laws 1974 & 1984 it is shameful……
Omer Khalid says:
June 13, 2010 at 20:25
Indeed a well written piece. After this terrorist attack, i myself have read in many newspapers the Mullas comments about Ahmadies. One of them said that there should be some law of death sentenced for the Ahmadies as they are Murtaid.
I want to ask Mullas why they are unaware of ISLAM’s teachings. Once they have been declared as minorities, now it is our responsibility to give them protection. They are pakistanis and they are the part of country’s assets.
One of the biggest scientists Dr.Abdus Salam was not given so much importance what he deserved only because he was an Ahmadi.
Stop this discrimination. As a pakistani nation, we were looked down my all developed countries, the economy of the country is going down day by day, the shortage of wheat ,electricity gas and water is playing bad role in pakistan’s growth. The poverty is on its climax. There is no peace in the country.
Its time to wake up and be united internally to make progress instead of justify and inducing people to kill each other on the name of Islam.
Think before the situation become worst.
Syed Naeem Akbar says:
June 12, 2010 at 16:58
Pakistani governments have never provided any security to Pakistani muslims let alone Pakistani minorities.
S. Naeem Akbar.
Canada.
umerkotee says:
June 14, 2010 at 0:47
You are very right Mr. Naeem…some communities like shia’s who are generally considered majority but their situation in some parts of country is even worse then minorities! I think no body is interested to follow the gist and spirit of religion, and it is being used as a tool for worldly gains, which is very sad. When we claim that we are the best and rest should follow us then why we our selves don’t follow our own creed? I can only pray for religious leaders who are making things even more difficult to understand. There is only one simple question to ask from those who blindly follow religious leaders that, how can they guide us when they are unable to unite by them selves?
Samir says:
June 12, 2010 at 16:33
Somewhere I read the comment that, Allah’s beautiful Islam has now become Mullah’s terrorist Islam.
This Looks coming true as like Pakistan and its Islam has gone to Mullahs.
What will it achieve as a nation after killing so many innocents in the name of religion. Is religion above humanity ?
Name a single “constructive “achievement of Pakistan as a nation , which was achieved due to following Mullah’s religion.
Any self respective Muslim should always questions to self everyday, did Allah given me life to go to Madressa, become a terrorist and blowup self, or to go to English school, spread education to needy kids, help poor,spread love instead of hate and to be called a Human first then a Muslim. Otherwise what is the difference between Human and Animal. Allah has given brain to human to think, those who just follow Mullahs being brainwashed are like dogs on street and not a true Muslim.
hn says:
June 13, 2010 at 2:15
Samir,
Your heart is in the right place but dogs do not kill fellow dogs this way. Animals are way too nobler than these humans. Allah has created humans to be a part of the tapestry of universe; Not to be the supreme animal. Thats why dogs, humans and even a banana share over 90% of identical genetic material. Humans like dogs are meant to serve the universe and inturn derive purpose though life on this universe.
Suraj Tschand says:
June 9, 2010 at 23:22
Thank you Sana for writing this article.
In 1970, when I was studying Physics at the University of Wisconsin, in the U.S.A., I heard about Dr. Abdus Salam and our professor talked about him and was extremely impressed by his work. I had no idea that one day he will win the Nobel Prize. I also had no idea that Dr. Abdus Salam belonged to the Ahmadi group. If I was a Pakistani I would be proud of Dr. Salam and the group he belonged to.
T. Arshed says:
June 10, 2010 at 5:33
Please read the declaration in Dawn of Wednesday by 13 religious and political parties asking Nawaz Shareef to withdraw his statement when he called Ahmadis his “brothers”. The names of those parties will show their agenda and confirm who was really behind the attacks. It also shows the stew in which these fanatics are boiling. They indulge in this sort of Fatwa-bazi since they do not want to be exposed about dearth of their knowledge about real Islam. Shame on these parties for the hollowness of their souls. Allah will deal with them before long when they meet Him.
arjun sharma indian says:
June 9, 2010 at 23:16
Reading the comments it becomes obvious that such blogs has become a source of fulfilling the intellectual exercise of mind only.People rea the articles and write afew words of sympathy and do not show any bewilderment to change the this rotten evil of society.Minds of more than 98 percent of Pakis are recklessly determined by religious biasedness.Very few have rational views and thinking.Evils have great depth inthe whole society and majority have apparent or hidden support.Has this not been the case how a media viewed discussion against the minority to incite the majority to take arm against the miniscule minority and people, media,pulic and govt. did not raise strong voice against this incident.You are leaving in the most rotten society although our have a little better(I don’t say more to keep you feel a bit pleased).In your country population of minorities is continuously decreasing rapidly by forceful humiliated conversion with no safty, security and protection from society and administration.See in India people of all religion feel more secured (leave a few localise incident that too a reaction).
Alex says:
June 9, 2010 at 19:40
I think Pakistan and majority of Muslim countries consider their birth right to treat non Muslims as trash.
so the treatment meated out to ahmadiyyas is no surprise. most surprising thing was that no body was willing to call killed ahmadiyyas as martyrs. no Muslim politician even cared to visit their funeral. even that enlightened and so called ‘honest and fair’ person like Imran khan, who minces no words in criticizing the US and others when a Muslim is killed.
No wonder Dr. Abdus salaam was humiliatingly forced to leave Pakistan despite winning the greatest laurel for the nation.
Aftab Kenneth Wilson says:
June 18, 2010 at 10:00
If a particular religion orders its followers not to sit, talk, eat. etc etc etc with OTHERS then this is what one should and must expect.
sarah says:
June 21, 2010 at 14:27
No Ahmadi ever did any such thing as you write……We eat , sit, and even talk to everyone irrespective of religion……it is the OTHERS that don’t like to eat sit and talk to us……
Mustafa says:
June 8, 2010 at 19:16
@ Sana Saleem
Excellent article. Keep it up!
@ Tahir Rizvi
You called Ahmadis as minority. What will be your response if sometimes in future the Sunni Majority in Pakistan declare Shias as minority. God forbid, this should not happen.
I know there are Muslims who are “Zaanee”, “Qaatil”, “Mazaar Parast”, “killers of last three Khalifahs and Imam Hussain, believers of Hazrat Ali to be a prophet of Allah yet no one calls them a Non-Muslim or Kaafir. It is my feeling that regardless of what misleading things Mirza Ghulam Ahmad preached, it does not amount to Shirk or rejection of existence of Allah, His prophets (specially the Holy Prophet Mohammad) and His Books and the Day of Judgment. No one has a right to pronounce anyone as Non-Muslim or Kafir who says Kalima even if it is from lips only as only Allah knows what is in his heart. Have we Muslims exceeded the limits set by Allah to call one who recites Kalima, a Non-Muslim or Kafir?
Tahir Rizvi says:
June 8, 2010 at 7:04
The attack on Ahmadies is a disgrace for any free country and its people. The Ahmadies are a minority in Pakistan and every Pakistani should be ashamed of the situation when any minority in the country is persecuted. Every major religion including Islam guarantees safety and freedom of its minorities. Those responsible for this criminal act should be brought to justice as soon as possible. If we fail to respect the rights of our minorities then we are proving that we are not capable to be free people. Freedom is for those people/citizens who are capable of exercising the freedom in a responsible manner. Those who performed these disgraceful actions have neither served Islam nor the cause of freedom.
Mustafa says:
June 8, 2010 at 23:01
@ Tahir Rizvi
I agree with you Pakistan must protect its minority. But the main debate is here whether Ahmadis are Non-Muslims. I assume you are with those who consider them as Non-Muslims.
As I undestand Pakistan can prosecute an Ahmadi who says “Assalamo-Alaikum” to a Muslim. The fact is all over the world Arab Christians say “Assalamo-Alaikum” to Muslims and no Islamic country including Pakistan prosecute Christians, who are Non-Muslims, to say “Assalamo-Alaikum” to Muslims. What kind of “Jungle Law” is this that no Christians prosecuted but Ahmadis, who say the same kalimah like rest of us are prosecuted.
naseer says:
June 12, 2010 at 1:10
i had a sikh friend who was living in the same house as i did and every morning when he saw me he said Assalamo Alaikum Bhi Sahib. I often wondered what would be reaction of a moulvi if he heard this.
Mustafa says:
June 15, 2010 at 7:31
The Moulvi or Mullah will say “Yeh Qeyamat ki nishanee hai” (This is sign of Day of Judgment).
Hassan Farooqi says:
June 7, 2010 at 23:59
This article and the bloggers are missing a point here. The right of Ahmedies to live as a first class citizens of Pakistan, and the right of Ahmedies to call themselves Muslims, and Muslims as Kafir. I fully endorse the first right and condemn the killing. I do not endorse their right to call themselves Muslim and call me Kafir. I excercise my right to call them non-Muslim and that is the consensus of Muslims. Only non-Muslims recognize this right of Ahmedies to call me a Kafir.
hn says:
June 24, 2010 at 8:51
What is wrong with being a Kafir? Allah seem to have blessed them with intelligence, technology, prosparity and practical senses and better work ethic. Being a Kafir cannot be as bad as you are perhaps taught
Ahmadi says:
June 16, 2010 at 6:02
Mr. Farooqi..
If only you had read Quran and Hadith, you would know that you have NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER to call anyone else Non-Muslim if they say Kalima and believe that they are Muslim. For the record, no Ahmadi declares any one else Kaafir… we are taught better than that. Only Allah is the judge of what is in anyone’s heart.
Tony says:
June 9, 2010 at 20:02
Farooqi Sb,
Who gave you the divine right to call someone Muslim or non-Muslim. First think if you can call yourself Muslim or not. By just being born to Muslim Parents and having a Muslim sounding name does not make you a Muslim.
Allah has not given you authority to Judge people, its only Allah who will judge people based on their deeds be it Ahmadi or you on the day of Judgment.
Do you think you have authority to judge others then you are simply defying Allah’s command.
Faras says:
June 8, 2010 at 20:11
MR Farooqi,
I am a Muslim, born in Pakistan and I shudder to think that you have the audacity to judge who can be called a muslim. If you read what the hadith and Quran say about Islam then 99% of not only Pakistan but the entire Muslim world has no right to be calling themselves “Muslims”. And yes that includes you. It is the deeds of a person that determines if he or she is a follower of Islam not what you or the government think. You are worried about Ahmadies calling themselves Muslims, have you ever thought of calling on your neighbor to make sure he is in good health and have enough to eat, have you ever gone to a leper centre and helped the sick and poor, have you ever made sure that the widows are protected, if you have not than you are the one who should be called a “Muslim”. It is ignorance like yours that is likely to hurt “Muslims” not the Ahmadies from my point of view they can call themselves Saints. Read Surah Ikhlas: and you may understand his magnanimity.
Shame on you!
Omer Khalid says:
June 13, 2010 at 20:42
Pakistan is a Muslim state.You tell me the one definition????? Suni, shiya, diyo bandi, baraylwi etc….every one is saying he is a true muslim.
Agreed ahmadies are minorities, but tell me is this Islam’s teaching to induce the Muslims to kill minorities?????can You justify it?????
fiaz ahmed says:
June 10, 2010 at 1:22
Well done Faras, I further like to add can any one of my human brother or sister tell me were can I buy honesty gadget from, so I can read people hearts to see if they are Muslim or if they believe in Allah and his book, shame on you.
Arsalan Khalid says:
June 9, 2010 at 20:01
AOA Farooqi:
What is a definition of Muslim? Sunni’s think they have the definition, Shia’s think it is their definition, Bralevi thinks it is their definition, Deobandi think it is their definition, etc. There was an exercise in Pakistan late 50s or early 60s to define what is a Muslim by government. That attempt to define Muslim fell on its face. So, my friend lets leave the judegement up to ALLAH. Only by his judgement we will know who really is a true Muslim.
I would urge you brother to read and understand your religion. Judgement is up to ALLAH. We will all be held accountable for our deeds so plz be prepared for your own deeds rather than someone else’s.
May ALLAH guide us all.
Haji Rafiq A. Tschannen says:
June 6, 2010 at 16:29
We have to realize that the root cause of all extremism in Pakistan is the Government’s support for the Anti Ahmadiyya laws. (1974, 1984). It is shameful that no democratically elected government was able to overturn Zia ul Haque’s Marshall Law Ordinance of 1984. It is about time to take a stand and cancel these laws and show that the Government is doing its job properly.
Shahzad Qureshi says:
June 5, 2010 at 0:51
Sana,
Thank you for writing this piece…
ali hamdani says:
June 4, 2010 at 15:07
Sana Saleem points this our very rightly so. We must promote a tolerant and secular state which stands against all this sectarian propaganda. We must give the minorities their rights just like Pakistani enjoy their rights abroad. Why the double standards??
Ghazala says:
June 5, 2010 at 21:35
By any chance, are you the same Hamdani a (lawyer) who had a great article out a few days ago?
sarah says:
June 4, 2010 at 14:55
Very good article……..Thanks Sana for being brave enough to talk in favour of a community who dont come to the streets to protest for themselves……….all I have to say is that we are a very peace loving community whose motto is love for all hatred for none…..as far as declaring us non Muslims is concerned The Holy Prophet (saw) said to his companion, who killed a non Muslim even after he had recited kalima shahadat that did you split open his heart to see if he is saying this for fear of being killed…..
Nusrat Pasha says:
June 4, 2010 at 11:17
Dear Sana Saleem, God bless you and God be with you.
Maria says:
June 4, 2010 at 10:20
It’s sad when innocents die. You forget that so many majority faith Pakistanis have been killed by criminals and terrorists. Are their lives less valuable then the minorities. All of their lives are equally valuable. Please be fair and condemn all killings – whether minority or majority – we are all citizens of a great land that our enemies want to undermine.
Sultan Ahmad says:
June 4, 2010 at 10:18
Dear Sana,
I would like to congratulate you on taking a step forward. Pakistani’s and Muslims needs to understand these terrors are following the absolutely wrong philosophy of Taliban and Al Qaeda who beleive in use of force and sword to propagate their philosophy (which is definitely against the peaceful teachings of Islam)
No Muslim (a true Muslim) has ever beleived that the Islam should be spread by the sword. Islam has always been propagated through its inherent qualities. Those who, calling themselves Muslims, seek to spread Islam by means of the sword are not aware of its inherent qualities and their conduct resembles the conduct of wild beasts. The Holy Quran clearly forbid the use of force for the spread of the faith and directs its propagation through its inherent qualities and good example of Muslims. Do not be misled by the notion that in the beginning the Muslims were commanded to take up the sword. The sword was taken up for the spread of the faith, but in the self defence against the enemies of Islam and for the purposes of establishing peace and security. It was no part of the purpose of taking it up to have recourse to coercion in the matter of faith.
Mustafa says:
June 4, 2010 at 10:11
As far as I am concerned anyone who believes in Allah, His books, His prophets and the Day of Judgement is a Muslim. Mirza and his followers met the requirements and no one has power to declare Mirza or his followers a Non-Muslim or Kafir. You do not need a refrendum to change the laws of Allah.
Pakistan is going through the most critical state. Muslims are killing Muslims on a daily basis. May Allah guide Pakistanis, whether they are Sunni, Shia, Ahmadi, Qadyani, Punjabi, Pashto, Baloch, Sindhi, Mohajir. They must accept they are all Muslims, brothers and sisters to each other. At this time they are fighting with each other like Pre-Islamic Beduins. They have to change and be true Muslims.
naseer says:
June 4, 2010 at 9:12
It is a matter of time before these terrorists will also hit those who don’t have the courage to speak out against this atrocity.
maxmax says:
June 4, 2010 at 8:03
This article is one of apologetic person… in reality no one is safe in Pakistan… Muslim or non Muslim…what she is going about… thousands of Muslim are getting killing everywhere in world.. And in my own country Pakistan… who is making noise about it… so please stop being apologetic… First of all we are Muslim and we don’t need to apologise to any way… Second look at full picture… NO ONE IS SAFE IN PAKISTAN…..
R-M says:
June 4, 2010 at 6:33
Sana,
By speaking the truth you have moved us all and you have inspired us all as well. It is people like you who are the shining light for our country where day after day the flame of what can be called a civilized life gets dimmer and dimmer.
What you have touched on is the most simple and basic idea of humanity. There is no ideas as fundamental as this. It does not even have to be taught. It is in us since the day we were born. We are just so bomarded by distractions and complex philosophies that we begin to forget about it. Basic humanity has nothing to do with a country, a religion, ethnicity, money or even an education.
By speaking the truth you have shown real greatness. What I saw in you is true leadership. Step into your leadership boldly and show the light to all of us who have access to your writings and also to the unfortunate masses of our country who do not.
Cannot thank you enough.
http://blog.dawn.com/2010/06/01/a-muted-response-to-minority-killings/
Incomprehensible. That is the only word I can use to express my feelings about the indifference of people, the authorities, and the media towards the attacks against the Ahmadi community in Lahore on Friday. Attacks that were carried out in broad daylight, killing over 90 people and injuring many others. Attacks that turned into a hostage situation with over 1500 people at risk of being killed or fatally injured.
I am disappointed that there is no one to protest and lament the killings, especially since the Ahmadi community seems to have been silenced by years of discrimination and persecution. I was six years old and attending a Quran class when the maulvi sahib blatantly refused to teach two of my friends, Maham and Rija. I remember his words, his eyes flaming with hate as he refused to let them sit in his class, or even touch ‘their’ Quran. I did not understand why no one protested, why they had chosen to leave the room silently, as if the hate and discrimination was expected. I found myself in the same dilemma on Friday, when after one of the largest attacks against them in the history of Pakistan, this was the only official statement issued on behalf of the Ahmadi community:
Despite what has happened no Ahmadi has taken to the streets in protest; no Ahmadi has displayed anything but patience. Instead we have turned towards God and prayed for the victims, for their bereaved relatives and for the long term peace and prosperity of Pakistan. We will continue with this example no matter what is thrown at us in the full certainty that God is with us and always will be.
The only reality check regarding this horrifying episode has come from a woman who was attending to one of the people wounded in Friday’s attacks. She refused to accept a bouquet from Interior Minister Rehman Malik, and went on to lambast him for inadequate security provisions at the sites of worship. It was indeed ironic to see dozens of security guards accompany the interior minister to his trip to the hospital to visit the survivors of Friday’s attacks. If only half of those were present to guard the two sites that came under attack, this incident could have been prevented, or, if nothing else, casualties could have been minimised. There is thus absolutely no justification for this act of negligence.
Meanwhile, the social networks have also been abuzz with outrage. Twitter, in particular, was flooded with messages of condemnation, shock, and horror. Many were disgusted by the way in which media outlets were describing the sites that were attacked as ‘worship places’ instead of ‘mosques.’ Others accused the media of downplaying the casualties. Someone remarked how a popular news channel’s comments suggesting ‘worship places should have their own security’ were derogatory and inhumane. There were debates on whether the media channels will count those killed as ‘martyrs,’ and if not, then why not?
Here’s the thing: I do not care whether those killed on Friday will be labeled martyrs or not. It does not make a difference to me whether the authorities have traced the terrorist outfit responsible for this attack. I remain enraged that most of us refuse to recognise the attacks as a human rights issue, and, most importantly, as a violation of minority rights. And by ‘most of us,’ I am referring to those of us who are neither politicians, scholars, clerics, or media personnel. I have lived in Pakistan long enough not to expect the authorities to be sensitive towards the real issues of the people. But the public framing of Friday’s attacks is about the underlying hate, discrimination, and religious bigotry that has been suffocating us for years. This is about those of us who choose to use religion to justify inhumanity despite the gory images showing attacks on innocent civilians.
There is no justification for killing unarmed civilians – no religion or legal system allows a bunch of people to take the law in their hands and carry out barbaric acts of terror.
Today, I must confess that I am scared of the uncertainties the future holds. I fear that this attack might be one of many to come. And most of all, I fear that another attempt will be similarly downplayed and labeled an act of terrorism, rather than a violation of minority rights. The stabbing of an Ahmadi man at Narowal on Monday further strengthens my fears, especially as the threats of the assailant to “not leave any Ahmadi alive” serve as uncanny reminders of state-sanctioned discrimination against the Ahmadi community.
I feel that in our attempts to prove ourselves so-called pious Muslims and patriotic Pakistanis we have left humanity far behind. Our sympathies have become political, and our humanity has been compromised. Somewhere in our tussle to become pioneers of Islam and the darling of the West, we have stopped being human. For every atrocity that unfolds around us, we have a home-made conspiracy theory, a religious justification, or a history lesson with which to identify the culprits. But amid this information overload, the atrocities go ignored, priorities remain distorted, and the massacre continues.
For every one who witnessed the horrendous killings of Ahmadis this past week, I have one question: how many Garhi Shahos and Gojras will it take for us to stop abusing religious beliefs to justify killing innocent people?
Sana Saleem is a Features Editor at BEE magazine and blogs at Global Voices, Pro-Pakistan her personal blog Mystified Justice. She tweets at twitter.com/sanasaleem.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Imran says:
July 1, 2010 at 10:51
We all need to know that from where this problem starts ? The problem starts from the Goverment and Mosques and the hatred speeches from so Called MULLAHS/MOLVII. They pour there full of hate old and unrealistic speeches in to heads of inocent nation. For their own business.
We have seen this in recent years that this hate is mix with politics where they use this for getting vote.
I some time get astornished that why we always forgot that these Mullahs/Molvis are the evils/ who were against Pakistan and called our only hero Quaid Azam as Kafir e Azam. (Nauzbillah)
Please someone stop this on mass level that Pakistan is peach full nation of peaceful people, not of these extremist Mullahsss.
Bilal Ahmad Bajwa says:
June 27, 2010 at 18:08
Thanks for writing this thought provoking article. We need to abolish discriminatory laws from the constitution of Pakistan in order to discourage discrimination and hatred against Ahmadis. I strongly condemn this discrimination in the name of Islam.
My heart cries on killing of innocent and unarmed civilians who gathered to pray before almighty God, who is not private property of any specific religion.
Pakistani says:
June 17, 2010 at 5:41
Our called first foreign minister Zafar Ali Khan (Ahmedi) did not offer it for Mohammad Ali Jinnah and stood on side where as everybody was offering Namaz-e-Janaza.
L Ahmad says:
June 18, 2010 at 3:39
First foreign minister was not Zafar Ali Khan. Wrong. Please get your facts right.
Naeem Khan says:
June 21, 2010 at 8:54
The name of the first foreign Minister was Al-Hajj Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafarullah Khan, KCSI (6 February 1893 – 1 September 1985) was a also a personal friend and trusted adviser of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He did not offer prayers at his friend’s and the Father of the nation’s funeral because the man leading the funeral prayers Maulana Usmani had called Zafarullah Khan a “kafir” and had had proclaimed him “wajib -e qatl”. Had he offered funeral prayers behind this “jahil” maulana , all hell would have broken loose. In order to avoid this fiasco, he decided to stay on the sidelines. There were no issues with Muhammad Ali Jinnah but the issue was with the Jahil Maulana.
Just for your information -Maulana Maudoodi did not offer funeral prayers as well. I would like to know the reason why?
smalik says:
June 21, 2010 at 16:16
Right answer, now what you say Pakistani.
Dr.Inam says:
June 29, 2010 at 0:21
Offering janaza is not a farz. Islam cannot get in DANGER by some one not offering Janaza. It sure gets in DANGER with sectarian violence supported by Mullahs and people who are afraid of them.
FM says:
June 15, 2010 at 23:11
All so called liberal muslims commenting that ahmedis should have freedom to call themselves muslims, should know that Mr.Mirza declared and Ahmedis believe all of us (non-ahmedis) to be non-muslims.
Proof is on ahmedi website itself:
http://www.alislam.org/library/books/Truth-about-the-Split.pdf pg.70 & 71
(the ahmedi caliph author of the book subsequently testifies the belief that non-ahmedis are kafirs!)
Ahmedis call us non-muslims, and then tell us(in comments) that calling anyone non-muslim is wrong!! Wake up people to their deceptive tactics.
O J DEEN says:
June 19, 2010 at 23:26
Now, as stated in the Holy Qur’an, you have been created for the good of mankind. So, it cannot be that a person should be created for the good of mankind, but nothing except mischief should come from him and mankind should suffer from him and be terrorized by him.
In fact, God Almighty has taught Muslims to work for the good of mankind, to guide them towards that which is good, to invite them towards God, their Creator, and to fulfil the obligations that they Now, let us see what the Holy Qur’an says about a True Muslim. God Almighty has commanded us, in the Holy Qur’an, that a Muslim should enjoin what is good and forbid evil; and if you do that, in that lies your greatness.
As God says,
“You are the best people raised for the good of mankind; you enjoin what is good and forbid evil and believe in God…” (Holy Qur’an, Ch. 3: v. 111)
Abdul says:
June 17, 2010 at 11:21
So your solution is to kill them!!!!
G H says:
June 17, 2010 at 10:55
No pdf file is available at this address. Give your reference with regard to MP3 audio file which is available.
Mubashir says:
June 17, 2010 at 6:25
I checked your reference but sorry to say that there in no proof of your allegation.You must keep in mind that there is great difference in Kafir and Non Muslim.A person who calls himself Muslim can be Kafir according to other sect and our Sectarian Ulmas are used to to give fatwas against other Sects. What is your opinion about them?
What we want is to stop this hate game.
Nas Khan says:
June 17, 2010 at 23:56
your reference is not working….
by the way I’m an Ahmadi and I’m never told that any non Ahmadi is non Muslim, infact all of our ulemas always say that “Who call himself as a Muslim is Muslim”.
Fais123 says:
June 17, 2010 at 22:10
The proof is irrefutable and leaves no doubt. How more clearer can it get?
@ GH : it is available definitely
@ Abdul: I certainly did not mean that, infact i’ve condemned the attacks strongly.
@Mubashir: So you saying its ‘OK’ if ahmedis categorically call non-ahmedis muslims. And ahmedis have been declared so unanimously by all learned Islamic scholars. Such an exclusion is unprecedented in the history of Islam and reflects the strongly diverging views of the community.
The attack is condemnable and it is sad too that such forums are being used for propagation of ahmedi religious beliefs in response to which I had to object.
This forum is principally for discussing minority rights and should not be converted into a religious debate.
Mubashir says:
June 18, 2010 at 23:46
So you want to stop Ahmadis from propagating their faith but same time you are trying to create hatred emotions against them. Which are most harmful for our society.
Only condemning is not sufficient. Change in behavior against Shias, Ahmadis, Christians & Hindus is needed to make our country Quaid’s Pakistan.
samrah says:
June 18, 2010 at 17:51
@FM
sir i checkd the pages you refferd…. bt no such claim has been made that ahmedis consider all Non-ahmedis as Non-muslims…
Fais123 says:
June 18, 2010 at 21:56
sorry for confusing you. It is page 56&57 of the book and 70&71 if you go by acrobat reader’s count.
K.Butt says:
June 15, 2010 at 9:21
No prophet after Mohammad (p.b.u.h).
Janjua says:
June 16, 2010 at 1:25
K.Butt!
It’s not a religious debate.. It’s about humanity and following the Uswa-e-Hasna of Holy Prophet (SAW).. He didn’t order the killings of even Kuffar-e-Makka so why are we killing the Non-Muslims in the name of Islam.
Haji Rafiq Tschannen says:
June 19, 2010 at 21:11
Indeed, there are things that need to be brought to justice in this life, such as murder, theft and there are things which Allah will judge in the next life, such as beliefs. Looking at Pakistan I think you would be sufficiently busy to judge in this life what needs to be judged.
MAK says:
June 14, 2010 at 13:37
Sana, I really admire your blog and the comments of all those who have participated in this blog, espacially those who do not belong to the Ahmadiyya Community.
May All help you all in your endeavours and give you courage and strength to keep raising voice fro the oppressed ones. Actually, this is the real message of Islam i.e. peace.
All we have to do is to speak the truth and say the Right as Right and Wrong as Wrong without any personal belongings. e.g. if a wrong is committed by our own Pakistani/Saudi/Muslim, we have to say it WRONG and condemn it. Similarly if any right is done by any Israeli/American/Jew/Hindu, we have to say it RIGHT and appreciate it.
please note that if majority of us start practicing the above principle, the days of the final success will not be far away, when the flag of Islam (peace) will fly high all around the world and there will be no oppression/persecution in the world and every one will get his rights.
May Allah help us all to spread and practice the real Islam not only in letter but also with spirit. May Allah be always with true followers of Islam.
Malik Usman Ahmed says:
June 14, 2010 at 10:32
For those who say that this is an attack on Muslims and Pakistan, there is no denying that. But what do you call an attack that comes at a time when there are banners in the city against the ahmedies?and what about a simultaneous attack on two Ahmadi’s place of worship ?
love4all says:
June 14, 2010 at 7:20
The solution is going to be complex but couple of thought are firstly we need to increase the level of education in our country and secondly we will have to some how get rid of these Mullahs.
Naeem Shahid says:
June 13, 2010 at 23:37
Assalam-o-alaikum and thank you very much Sana for speaking up for us . We are the Ahmadi’s who hold the banner Love for all hatred for none and we also act accordingly. People keep asking about our reaction or they ask to react somehow but our response is to be patient and to pray in the hour of need as told by The Holy Prophet PBUH ………….
There was no screaming at others, no one was out on the streets , there were only sounds of people praying and reciting Darood Sharif even at the time when the attack was going on and that was how we reacted and will be steadfast in being patient and with our prayers before Allah Inshallah and such was the example of the Sahaba Ikram the true followers of The Holy Prophet PBUH…….
Govt. of Pakistan never provided any security to Pakistani residence & his minorties……..
Govt. of Pakistan & mullahas are support for the Anti Ahmadiyya Laws 1974 & 1984 it is shameful……
Omer Khalid says:
June 13, 2010 at 20:25
Indeed a well written piece. After this terrorist attack, i myself have read in many newspapers the Mullas comments about Ahmadies. One of them said that there should be some law of death sentenced for the Ahmadies as they are Murtaid.
I want to ask Mullas why they are unaware of ISLAM’s teachings. Once they have been declared as minorities, now it is our responsibility to give them protection. They are pakistanis and they are the part of country’s assets.
One of the biggest scientists Dr.Abdus Salam was not given so much importance what he deserved only because he was an Ahmadi.
Stop this discrimination. As a pakistani nation, we were looked down my all developed countries, the economy of the country is going down day by day, the shortage of wheat ,electricity gas and water is playing bad role in pakistan’s growth. The poverty is on its climax. There is no peace in the country.
Its time to wake up and be united internally to make progress instead of justify and inducing people to kill each other on the name of Islam.
Think before the situation become worst.
Syed Naeem Akbar says:
June 12, 2010 at 16:58
Pakistani governments have never provided any security to Pakistani muslims let alone Pakistani minorities.
S. Naeem Akbar.
Canada.
umerkotee says:
June 14, 2010 at 0:47
You are very right Mr. Naeem…some communities like shia’s who are generally considered majority but their situation in some parts of country is even worse then minorities! I think no body is interested to follow the gist and spirit of religion, and it is being used as a tool for worldly gains, which is very sad. When we claim that we are the best and rest should follow us then why we our selves don’t follow our own creed? I can only pray for religious leaders who are making things even more difficult to understand. There is only one simple question to ask from those who blindly follow religious leaders that, how can they guide us when they are unable to unite by them selves?
Samir says:
June 12, 2010 at 16:33
Somewhere I read the comment that, Allah’s beautiful Islam has now become Mullah’s terrorist Islam.
This Looks coming true as like Pakistan and its Islam has gone to Mullahs.
What will it achieve as a nation after killing so many innocents in the name of religion. Is religion above humanity ?
Name a single “constructive “achievement of Pakistan as a nation , which was achieved due to following Mullah’s religion.
Any self respective Muslim should always questions to self everyday, did Allah given me life to go to Madressa, become a terrorist and blowup self, or to go to English school, spread education to needy kids, help poor,spread love instead of hate and to be called a Human first then a Muslim. Otherwise what is the difference between Human and Animal. Allah has given brain to human to think, those who just follow Mullahs being brainwashed are like dogs on street and not a true Muslim.
hn says:
June 13, 2010 at 2:15
Samir,
Your heart is in the right place but dogs do not kill fellow dogs this way. Animals are way too nobler than these humans. Allah has created humans to be a part of the tapestry of universe; Not to be the supreme animal. Thats why dogs, humans and even a banana share over 90% of identical genetic material. Humans like dogs are meant to serve the universe and inturn derive purpose though life on this universe.
Suraj Tschand says:
June 9, 2010 at 23:22
Thank you Sana for writing this article.
In 1970, when I was studying Physics at the University of Wisconsin, in the U.S.A., I heard about Dr. Abdus Salam and our professor talked about him and was extremely impressed by his work. I had no idea that one day he will win the Nobel Prize. I also had no idea that Dr. Abdus Salam belonged to the Ahmadi group. If I was a Pakistani I would be proud of Dr. Salam and the group he belonged to.
T. Arshed says:
June 10, 2010 at 5:33
Please read the declaration in Dawn of Wednesday by 13 religious and political parties asking Nawaz Shareef to withdraw his statement when he called Ahmadis his “brothers”. The names of those parties will show their agenda and confirm who was really behind the attacks. It also shows the stew in which these fanatics are boiling. They indulge in this sort of Fatwa-bazi since they do not want to be exposed about dearth of their knowledge about real Islam. Shame on these parties for the hollowness of their souls. Allah will deal with them before long when they meet Him.
arjun sharma indian says:
June 9, 2010 at 23:16
Reading the comments it becomes obvious that such blogs has become a source of fulfilling the intellectual exercise of mind only.People rea the articles and write afew words of sympathy and do not show any bewilderment to change the this rotten evil of society.Minds of more than 98 percent of Pakis are recklessly determined by religious biasedness.Very few have rational views and thinking.Evils have great depth inthe whole society and majority have apparent or hidden support.Has this not been the case how a media viewed discussion against the minority to incite the majority to take arm against the miniscule minority and people, media,pulic and govt. did not raise strong voice against this incident.You are leaving in the most rotten society although our have a little better(I don’t say more to keep you feel a bit pleased).In your country population of minorities is continuously decreasing rapidly by forceful humiliated conversion with no safty, security and protection from society and administration.See in India people of all religion feel more secured (leave a few localise incident that too a reaction).
Alex says:
June 9, 2010 at 19:40
I think Pakistan and majority of Muslim countries consider their birth right to treat non Muslims as trash.
so the treatment meated out to ahmadiyyas is no surprise. most surprising thing was that no body was willing to call killed ahmadiyyas as martyrs. no Muslim politician even cared to visit their funeral. even that enlightened and so called ‘honest and fair’ person like Imran khan, who minces no words in criticizing the US and others when a Muslim is killed.
No wonder Dr. Abdus salaam was humiliatingly forced to leave Pakistan despite winning the greatest laurel for the nation.
Aftab Kenneth Wilson says:
June 18, 2010 at 10:00
If a particular religion orders its followers not to sit, talk, eat. etc etc etc with OTHERS then this is what one should and must expect.
sarah says:
June 21, 2010 at 14:27
No Ahmadi ever did any such thing as you write……We eat , sit, and even talk to everyone irrespective of religion……it is the OTHERS that don’t like to eat sit and talk to us……
Mustafa says:
June 8, 2010 at 19:16
@ Sana Saleem
Excellent article. Keep it up!
@ Tahir Rizvi
You called Ahmadis as minority. What will be your response if sometimes in future the Sunni Majority in Pakistan declare Shias as minority. God forbid, this should not happen.
I know there are Muslims who are “Zaanee”, “Qaatil”, “Mazaar Parast”, “killers of last three Khalifahs and Imam Hussain, believers of Hazrat Ali to be a prophet of Allah yet no one calls them a Non-Muslim or Kaafir. It is my feeling that regardless of what misleading things Mirza Ghulam Ahmad preached, it does not amount to Shirk or rejection of existence of Allah, His prophets (specially the Holy Prophet Mohammad) and His Books and the Day of Judgment. No one has a right to pronounce anyone as Non-Muslim or Kafir who says Kalima even if it is from lips only as only Allah knows what is in his heart. Have we Muslims exceeded the limits set by Allah to call one who recites Kalima, a Non-Muslim or Kafir?
Tahir Rizvi says:
June 8, 2010 at 7:04
The attack on Ahmadies is a disgrace for any free country and its people. The Ahmadies are a minority in Pakistan and every Pakistani should be ashamed of the situation when any minority in the country is persecuted. Every major religion including Islam guarantees safety and freedom of its minorities. Those responsible for this criminal act should be brought to justice as soon as possible. If we fail to respect the rights of our minorities then we are proving that we are not capable to be free people. Freedom is for those people/citizens who are capable of exercising the freedom in a responsible manner. Those who performed these disgraceful actions have neither served Islam nor the cause of freedom.
Mustafa says:
June 8, 2010 at 23:01
@ Tahir Rizvi
I agree with you Pakistan must protect its minority. But the main debate is here whether Ahmadis are Non-Muslims. I assume you are with those who consider them as Non-Muslims.
As I undestand Pakistan can prosecute an Ahmadi who says “Assalamo-Alaikum” to a Muslim. The fact is all over the world Arab Christians say “Assalamo-Alaikum” to Muslims and no Islamic country including Pakistan prosecute Christians, who are Non-Muslims, to say “Assalamo-Alaikum” to Muslims. What kind of “Jungle Law” is this that no Christians prosecuted but Ahmadis, who say the same kalimah like rest of us are prosecuted.
naseer says:
June 12, 2010 at 1:10
i had a sikh friend who was living in the same house as i did and every morning when he saw me he said Assalamo Alaikum Bhi Sahib. I often wondered what would be reaction of a moulvi if he heard this.
Mustafa says:
June 15, 2010 at 7:31
The Moulvi or Mullah will say “Yeh Qeyamat ki nishanee hai” (This is sign of Day of Judgment).
Hassan Farooqi says:
June 7, 2010 at 23:59
This article and the bloggers are missing a point here. The right of Ahmedies to live as a first class citizens of Pakistan, and the right of Ahmedies to call themselves Muslims, and Muslims as Kafir. I fully endorse the first right and condemn the killing. I do not endorse their right to call themselves Muslim and call me Kafir. I excercise my right to call them non-Muslim and that is the consensus of Muslims. Only non-Muslims recognize this right of Ahmedies to call me a Kafir.
hn says:
June 24, 2010 at 8:51
What is wrong with being a Kafir? Allah seem to have blessed them with intelligence, technology, prosparity and practical senses and better work ethic. Being a Kafir cannot be as bad as you are perhaps taught
Ahmadi says:
June 16, 2010 at 6:02
Mr. Farooqi..
If only you had read Quran and Hadith, you would know that you have NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER to call anyone else Non-Muslim if they say Kalima and believe that they are Muslim. For the record, no Ahmadi declares any one else Kaafir… we are taught better than that. Only Allah is the judge of what is in anyone’s heart.
Tony says:
June 9, 2010 at 20:02
Farooqi Sb,
Who gave you the divine right to call someone Muslim or non-Muslim. First think if you can call yourself Muslim or not. By just being born to Muslim Parents and having a Muslim sounding name does not make you a Muslim.
Allah has not given you authority to Judge people, its only Allah who will judge people based on their deeds be it Ahmadi or you on the day of Judgment.
Do you think you have authority to judge others then you are simply defying Allah’s command.
Faras says:
June 8, 2010 at 20:11
MR Farooqi,
I am a Muslim, born in Pakistan and I shudder to think that you have the audacity to judge who can be called a muslim. If you read what the hadith and Quran say about Islam then 99% of not only Pakistan but the entire Muslim world has no right to be calling themselves “Muslims”. And yes that includes you. It is the deeds of a person that determines if he or she is a follower of Islam not what you or the government think. You are worried about Ahmadies calling themselves Muslims, have you ever thought of calling on your neighbor to make sure he is in good health and have enough to eat, have you ever gone to a leper centre and helped the sick and poor, have you ever made sure that the widows are protected, if you have not than you are the one who should be called a “Muslim”. It is ignorance like yours that is likely to hurt “Muslims” not the Ahmadies from my point of view they can call themselves Saints. Read Surah Ikhlas: and you may understand his magnanimity.
Shame on you!
Omer Khalid says:
June 13, 2010 at 20:42
Pakistan is a Muslim state.You tell me the one definition????? Suni, shiya, diyo bandi, baraylwi etc….every one is saying he is a true muslim.
Agreed ahmadies are minorities, but tell me is this Islam’s teaching to induce the Muslims to kill minorities?????can You justify it?????
fiaz ahmed says:
June 10, 2010 at 1:22
Well done Faras, I further like to add can any one of my human brother or sister tell me were can I buy honesty gadget from, so I can read people hearts to see if they are Muslim or if they believe in Allah and his book, shame on you.
Arsalan Khalid says:
June 9, 2010 at 20:01
AOA Farooqi:
What is a definition of Muslim? Sunni’s think they have the definition, Shia’s think it is their definition, Bralevi thinks it is their definition, Deobandi think it is their definition, etc. There was an exercise in Pakistan late 50s or early 60s to define what is a Muslim by government. That attempt to define Muslim fell on its face. So, my friend lets leave the judegement up to ALLAH. Only by his judgement we will know who really is a true Muslim.
I would urge you brother to read and understand your religion. Judgement is up to ALLAH. We will all be held accountable for our deeds so plz be prepared for your own deeds rather than someone else’s.
May ALLAH guide us all.
Haji Rafiq A. Tschannen says:
June 6, 2010 at 16:29
We have to realize that the root cause of all extremism in Pakistan is the Government’s support for the Anti Ahmadiyya laws. (1974, 1984). It is shameful that no democratically elected government was able to overturn Zia ul Haque’s Marshall Law Ordinance of 1984. It is about time to take a stand and cancel these laws and show that the Government is doing its job properly.
Shahzad Qureshi says:
June 5, 2010 at 0:51
Sana,
Thank you for writing this piece…
ali hamdani says:
June 4, 2010 at 15:07
Sana Saleem points this our very rightly so. We must promote a tolerant and secular state which stands against all this sectarian propaganda. We must give the minorities their rights just like Pakistani enjoy their rights abroad. Why the double standards??
Ghazala says:
June 5, 2010 at 21:35
By any chance, are you the same Hamdani a (lawyer) who had a great article out a few days ago?
sarah says:
June 4, 2010 at 14:55
Very good article……..Thanks Sana for being brave enough to talk in favour of a community who dont come to the streets to protest for themselves……….all I have to say is that we are a very peace loving community whose motto is love for all hatred for none…..as far as declaring us non Muslims is concerned The Holy Prophet (saw) said to his companion, who killed a non Muslim even after he had recited kalima shahadat that did you split open his heart to see if he is saying this for fear of being killed…..
Nusrat Pasha says:
June 4, 2010 at 11:17
Dear Sana Saleem, God bless you and God be with you.
Maria says:
June 4, 2010 at 10:20
It’s sad when innocents die. You forget that so many majority faith Pakistanis have been killed by criminals and terrorists. Are their lives less valuable then the minorities. All of their lives are equally valuable. Please be fair and condemn all killings – whether minority or majority – we are all citizens of a great land that our enemies want to undermine.
Sultan Ahmad says:
June 4, 2010 at 10:18
Dear Sana,
I would like to congratulate you on taking a step forward. Pakistani’s and Muslims needs to understand these terrors are following the absolutely wrong philosophy of Taliban and Al Qaeda who beleive in use of force and sword to propagate their philosophy (which is definitely against the peaceful teachings of Islam)
No Muslim (a true Muslim) has ever beleived that the Islam should be spread by the sword. Islam has always been propagated through its inherent qualities. Those who, calling themselves Muslims, seek to spread Islam by means of the sword are not aware of its inherent qualities and their conduct resembles the conduct of wild beasts. The Holy Quran clearly forbid the use of force for the spread of the faith and directs its propagation through its inherent qualities and good example of Muslims. Do not be misled by the notion that in the beginning the Muslims were commanded to take up the sword. The sword was taken up for the spread of the faith, but in the self defence against the enemies of Islam and for the purposes of establishing peace and security. It was no part of the purpose of taking it up to have recourse to coercion in the matter of faith.
Mustafa says:
June 4, 2010 at 10:11
As far as I am concerned anyone who believes in Allah, His books, His prophets and the Day of Judgement is a Muslim. Mirza and his followers met the requirements and no one has power to declare Mirza or his followers a Non-Muslim or Kafir. You do not need a refrendum to change the laws of Allah.
Pakistan is going through the most critical state. Muslims are killing Muslims on a daily basis. May Allah guide Pakistanis, whether they are Sunni, Shia, Ahmadi, Qadyani, Punjabi, Pashto, Baloch, Sindhi, Mohajir. They must accept they are all Muslims, brothers and sisters to each other. At this time they are fighting with each other like Pre-Islamic Beduins. They have to change and be true Muslims.
naseer says:
June 4, 2010 at 9:12
It is a matter of time before these terrorists will also hit those who don’t have the courage to speak out against this atrocity.
maxmax says:
June 4, 2010 at 8:03
This article is one of apologetic person… in reality no one is safe in Pakistan… Muslim or non Muslim…what she is going about… thousands of Muslim are getting killing everywhere in world.. And in my own country Pakistan… who is making noise about it… so please stop being apologetic… First of all we are Muslim and we don’t need to apologise to any way… Second look at full picture… NO ONE IS SAFE IN PAKISTAN…..
R-M says:
June 4, 2010 at 6:33
Sana,
By speaking the truth you have moved us all and you have inspired us all as well. It is people like you who are the shining light for our country where day after day the flame of what can be called a civilized life gets dimmer and dimmer.
What you have touched on is the most simple and basic idea of humanity. There is no ideas as fundamental as this. It does not even have to be taught. It is in us since the day we were born. We are just so bomarded by distractions and complex philosophies that we begin to forget about it. Basic humanity has nothing to do with a country, a religion, ethnicity, money or even an education.
By speaking the truth you have shown real greatness. What I saw in you is true leadership. Step into your leadership boldly and show the light to all of us who have access to your writings and also to the unfortunate masses of our country who do not.
Cannot thank you enough.
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