Muslim World Leader Calls for Religious Freedom in Pakistan
LONDON, May 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
[An online petition to Rt Hon David Cameron MP, The Prime Minister, has been set up to urge him as a friend of Pakistan to raise these issues with the Government of Pakistan and urge it to repeal these horrific laws. http://www.StopThePersecution.org ]
Pakistan made history in 1974 by becoming the first country in the world to amend its constitution to declare Ahmadi Muslims as non-Muslim. Thirty years ago, in 1984, Ordinance XX was enacted making it a criminal offence for Ahmadis to call themselves Muslims, a 'crime' punishable by 3 years imprisonment. Under Pakistan's notorious anti-Ahmadi laws and blasphemy laws extremist violence has flourished with Ahmadi Muslims, Shia Muslims, Christians, Hindus and others massacred on simply grounds of faith.
The laws have resulted in:
- Hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims being killed on grounds of faith: In May 2010, a deadly attack on two Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore left 86 people dead.
- Mosques destroyed: Ahmadi mosques have been attacked, defaced and closed by the authorities.
- Voting rights denied: Laws prevent Ahmadi Muslims from voting unless they declare themselves as non-Muslims.
- No dignity after death: Mobs and police have destroyed and defaced Ahmadi graves.
Millions live in fear and tens of thousands have been forced to flee the country to escape persecution. Hundreds have been murdered in cold blood by extremists. Homes, businesses, mosques and graveyards are routinely attacked and thousands - including children - have been charged under Pakistan's infamous laws. No one has ever been prosecuted for attacking Ahmadi Muslims.
As a result of the laws and persecution, the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community was forced to leave Pakistan. The current worldwide head, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, is based in London and he has consistently called for peace in Pakistan.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said:
"The Holy Qur'an teaches us that those in position of authority must discharge their responsibility with justice and that they will be held accountable for their actions by God. In the sphere of religious freedom the Holy Quran is very clear that 'There should be no compulsion in religion" so it is incumbent on countries such as Pakistan that claim to follow Islam to implement its noble teachings.
"The progress of a nation lies in the establishment of justice and the complete regard for every person's human rights. Without this there can be no peace. We therefore call upon Pakistan to uphold the rights of all its citizens and for the world to uphold its obligations in promoting international peace."
As part of a campaign to highlight these issues a full page advert was featured in the Independent newspaper dated 2 May 2014.
Notes to the Editor
The law (Ordinance XX) states that Ahmadi Muslims cannot:
- Call themselves Muslims
- Refer to their faith as Islam
- Call their place of worship a 'Mosque';
- Make the call for prayers (Adhan)
- Say the Islamic greeting 'Assalamo alaikum' (Peace be on you)
- Preach or propagate their faith
Any of the above will be punishable by three years imprisonment and a fine. If the offence is regarded as blasphemy then an Ahmadi could be sentenced to death.
Contacts:
Basharat Nazir media@ahmadiyya.org.uk Tel +447703-483-384
Mahmood Rafiq Tel +447971-060-962
http://www.loveforallhatredfornone.org
http://www.alislam.org
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