I feel sick to my stomach.
Today more than 70 people were killed and 108 were injured when gunmen launched simultaneous attacks on two Ahmadi mosques in Lahore. The attacks – involving blasts as well as gunfire – took place during Friday prayers, when “over 1,000 worshipers were present in the mosque.” The NY Times cited the city coordinating officer who said that more than three hours after the attacks began, “the police took control of the mosques, where they found bodies strewn across the main floors and verandas.”
In a statement, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK noted, “The attacks are the culmination of years of unpoliced persecution of the [Ahmadis]… Today’s attack is the most cruel and barbaric.”
Although Pakistan’s political leaders condemned the attacks today, saying it “would generate greater resolve to combat extremism,” those statements failed to acknowledge what led to such killings in the first place. The Ahmadiyya community view themselves as a Muslim sect. However, because they claim their leader Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was a prophet (though, noted the BBC, “The Ahmadis insist that he was not a “law-giving” prophet and his job was only to propagate the laws enunciated by Islam’s Prophet Mohammad“), “they were declared non-Muslim in Pakistan in 1973, and in 1984 they were legally barred from proselytizing or identifying themselves as Muslims.” According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the Ahmadiyya community, said to number between three million and four million in Pakistan, endure “the most severe legal restrictions and officially sanctioned discrimination.”
Why were the Ahmadis targeted in such a senseless, horrific and violent way today? Because we have a society that not only turns a blind eye to persecution but also legitimizes the mistreatment of all minorities in Pakistan. According to the LA Times, an Ahmadi elder from the Model Town mosque said the mosque had been getting threatening phone calls for some time, but, he noted, “when we asked the government and police several times to enhance our security… we didn’t get anything.”
Tell me – is this a country that we can proud of? Pakistan was supposedly established as a homeland for Muslims, to free them of discrimination. This same country now allows persecution to continue not just unabated but often by the writ of the state. Intolerance and ignorance have a foothold in the fabric of this society, and today’s tragedy further highlights this horrific state of affairs. I am ashamed and disgusted.
I was 13 when I refused to sign such dross but everyone in the Embassy chuckled as I had to fly out to Pakistan and needed a new passport. It’s a shame and a sad day for us. I feel ashamed. Too. Well-written post. X shayma
Today, I hang my head in shame. As a Muslim majority citizen, I feel responsible for the death of so many people.
people of a country take a cue from their government. therefore, the government of pakistan should immediately cease this branding of Ahmadis as non-muslims and do away with the distinction. they are as much a part of pakistan as anyone else.
Best post to date Kalsoom.
Thanks Khurram, though I can’t say I was happy writing it, if that makes any sense.
Pfffft! meh! *eye roll* so what? At least we managed to shut “Draw Muhammad Day!” shenanigans… now THAT was something! no!? Mashallah! we showed the Kuffar that dissing The Prophet is going to be met with some serious self-righteous rage! The boycott cost kuffar billions of Euros! Allah ki shaan say!!
I think this attack is borne out of Scientologists hatred of Muslims in Pakistan. The Scientologists of the West, with help from Hindoos in the east of the land of the Pure, are to blame for this attack!
-Tongue firmly planted in my cheek!
That was not billions of Euros buddy, only might be few millions US $s.
However, i insisted that almost 80% ordinary Pakistani have no concern whether it may be Ahmadis or Agha Khanis or Hindus or Christians or whatever. In my view, if a hindu was killed like in accident or in terrorist attack, he is human to me, n definitely I will feel Sad.
Yesterday I discussed with my mom some thing, and we concluded that :
1- Muslims are very easy to be exploited.
2- 99% riots occur between the issue of sunni and shiyas (in which 90% sunnis and shiyas condemn that act and hate that act).
3- You will never heard any conflict involving Aghakhanis, Ismailis, Bohries and other muslim minor communities who are very different in some branches of shariyah.
4- I found out the reason that they never claim that sunni or shiya is wrong and we are right.
As far as Ahmadis are concerned, whether they are muslim or not is another debate, but they are humans too. No muslim or no human has the right to attack them or their worship places.
my point is only that these terrorists must be picked and killed by the armed forces. But i have a serious question. Many of us saw on various TV channels that terrorists are clearly visible from TV cameras. So our forces don’t have any sniper???? WTF man. Even if i got the sniper at that time, i can try to aim their head shots. F**k police! they have been provided Corolla Xlis and toyota hiluxes and no useful weapons???? Shit shit shit. I suggest that our police should watch the future weapons at discovery.
L. Ron Hubbard at it again!!!
This is a serious problem. Like Hudood Ordnance and Blasphemy Laws, it is just another way to allow people to jail, harass, create problems or do anything. The laws need to be changed!!!
Thank you Kalsoom! The atrocity that occured today has been overwhelming. I don’t understand the mentality behind the belief that it’s ok to kill people who are obviously praying – regardless of whether it’s in a “Islamic” fashion – do they own Islam? Who gave anyone the right to target ANY religion? Amazingly, these evil doers are “Muslim” and we are not.
Gr8 post, but as much as I hate to admit it, won’t change a thing. Its a couple of million of us, against 169 million of them.
[…] worshipers were present in the mosque.” The NY Times cited […] Read more at: CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan ahmadi, ahmadis, ahmadiyya muslim community, blind eye, culmination, ghulam, gunfire, gunmen, […]
On a serious note – how cowardly it is to hurt someone at a place of worship… This is a new low for Pakistan!
I have driven/walked/biked past the Mosque – the one that is located in Gari Shau – thousands of times and seen hundreds of people, women, children, elderly, young and all others in between milling about enjoying the communal camaraderie. Imagining then the carnage upon a crowd as such has me feeling sad and mad beyond belief!
What a FUBAR situation!
-Zoobee
There is no such thing as “minority rights.” There are only individual rights. Recognizing any religious establishment is immoral and should be unlawful.
Sanctioned discrimination is an example of what happens under collectivist democracy, as opposed to a republic that blindly respects individual rights.
Prophet Mohammad has been in the news a lot recently. Somebody drew a picture of him and the whole country goes up in flames. 70 people die, living beings pushed to the arms of death, I bet not a single soul will lead a rally or burn an effigy of a terrorist.
Prophet Mohammed, you must be proud. Your people like you but sadly dont understand you.
Anoop – what you state is the irony missed time and again by the lot that prides itself SOLELY on it’s uncanny ability of defending intangible that is honor. Blood, especially of those that are labeled non-Muslims, is cheaper than water, and hypocrisy rules the day… here, I present to you all that I just described called also Pakistaniyat.
-Zoobee
Notice how every Pakistani media outlet has carefully avoided using the term “Mosque” or “Masjid” and never used the word “Muslim” in its reporting. They are “Worship places of minority sect”. After all, nobody wants 3 years in Jail. Pakistan penal code says
“1) Any person of the Quadiani group or the Lahori group (who call themselves ‘Ahmadis’ or by any other name who by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation-
(d) refers to, or names, or calls, his place of worship a “Masjid”; shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine. ” (I have omitted other parts which prescribes interesting punishments for other activities of the Ahmadis)”
Ofcourse, your passport application is no big deal, because the country’s constitution (which all of us are bound by) does one better:
” ‘non-Muslim’ means a person who is not a Muslim and includes a person belonging to the Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist or Parsi community, a person of the Quadiani Group or the Lahori Group who call themselves ‘Ahmadis’ or by any other name or a Bahai, and a person belonging to any of the Scheduled Castes.”
And the oath of office
“I , ___________, do solemnly swear that I am a Muslim…”
takes care of the rest.
An illiterate like me, would assume that the targeted killing today is the culmination of 35 years of peddling hate. But the Lahore commissioner says RAW is involved, and Rehman Malik says they are investigating the RAW angle and that opened up my mind.
I am sure that the Jews, Blackwater and Mossad are all somehow involved.
Somebody tell me that passport application isn’t real. Why didn’t anyone challenge it in court?
Nabeel,
When the constitution of Pakistan talks about Ahmedis being non-muslim then there is no case. Constitution is the highest book of law which NOBODY can challenge, unless amended by the parliament.
I dont think that piece of bigoted literature called the Constitution is ever going to change.
Yes. Indeed a thank you is order to the author. Thank you for conducting research and reflecting an unbaised and emotional piece. Thank you for doing your part and standing up to what you believe is inhumane. May Allah continue to bless you as you continue to fulfill your goal of this blog site. People triple your age are not bold enough to open their eyes and raise their voice in protest- so I thank you for being an extraordinary Pakistani.
My Pakistani friends who hold advanced degrees from good American Universities told me today that India must be behind the funding of this attack.
Genghis,
Your Pakistani friends are right – goes to show that what a failure has been American education system. 🙂
-Zoobee
Where is the outcry and where is the offense. Where are the people on the streets demanding the government to take some action.
Oh ! i am sorry…what was it again. Nobody drew the prophet. Only a few minority people were brutally killed in their place of worship. That MUST makes it all right then.
Genghis, Tariq
No offence but please stop blaming the rest of the world for what is happening in the country i would suggest instead of blaming WE should get off our seats and do something about it fine america and India or who ever is behind thats not important what important is that its happening in our country and we are all responsible for so please instead of blaming it on other people look into your self and lets get together to bring about a change
Respect
Everything has been pretty much said and there is nothing really to add any further. I blame Pakistani military establishment and the likes of gen zia ul haq ( may he rot in hell forever). Had Jinnah lived he would have been ashmed to declare himself Pakistani. I am ashamed disgusted and sick to the core and don’t want to call myself Pakistani anymore. It brings insult.
Kalsoom yesterday I raised this question on khiz blog. I shall ask here too
is tauheen e risalaat a bigger offence thn killing innocent humans.
Had prophet lived his own reply to my question would have been embarrasing to us. Will we see good liberal sections of our society coming out and protesting against the genocide
last but not the least a a grand f*** off to brig Imtiaz billa again for pointing out American involvement. Dude surely you will rot in hell as well. You a d your military thugs have committed too many crimes. We havnt forgotten at least I havnt
I fondly use this phrase. Welcome to the doomed republic of Pakistan
and please I need no encouragement no positvity.
Why are people speculating there’s some Indian conspiracy behind this?
Is there a shred of evidence to support that? Anything whatsoever?
It blows my mind that people can believe something without having any evidence to support it. I suppose that’s why they’re religious in the first place…
Hey guys, I have a bridge I want to sell you.
Were those religious extremists who forced Mr Zulfiqar Bhutto’s government to make laws against Ahmadis or Qadianis so that further extremist activities could be started gainst the good name of Pakistan after the Pakistan’s defeat in Bangladesh ?
this is indeed a sad sad day. i am an ahmadi, and i am so hurt. thank you for this wonderful piece you wrote, and your image of the application! every muslim should really read, and think about this.
What a disgusting act … and look at the number of people ready to support it.
As a Pakistani I am so sick of people always blaming others! Look ino a mirror, thats where the blame lies. Why is that Pakistan has to more muslim then all the other muslim countries. Why is it only Pakistan that makes Ahmadis non-muslims, why is it only Pakistan that riots when a photo of the Prophet (PBUH) is shown, why is it only Pakistan that kills other muslims & non-muslim citizens in cowardly acts like this. No other muslim country has this problem like we do! It is not others who are to blame, it is us, and we need to fix it once and for all otherwise we are doomed!
Stand up Pakistan, Stand up!
I feel that this is an excellent way of reaching out to people but i feel that while we are writing stuff i think we should ALL get together and do something about whats happening in the country…
Its a very Humble Request please lets get together and do something about it
peace and Love to all
@ Moh. Khan
Sir,
Photo of Mohammad (PBUH) are always imaginary photos. These cannot be accepted as true ones, so are not allowed. Making jokes about the Holy Prophet (BPUH) drawing cartoons etc are the acts of heartbreaking and saddening, and so cannot be accepted within the civilised people, so must be stopped.
As far as Pakistan’s constitution (1974) concerns about Ahmadiyya, the constitution says that Ahmadis will not be Muslims for the purpose of contitution, .. This also says that all citizens are free to believe propagate and declare what they are. That means Ahmadis can call and declare themselves Muslims, but where the law needs a Muslim to fill a vacancy etc, Ahmadis cannot apply for that vacancy…. But Generle Zia as the President of Pakistan, by an Ordinance in 1984, stopped Ahmadis to call themselves Muslims. He stopped Ahmadis to recite the Kalima of Islam LaIlahaillalaahe MohammadurRasoolullah. If Ahmadis recite the Kalima, they can be put in prison for 3 years or this may be up to Death Penalty.
ISNT IT A ” WONDERFULLY UNIQUE ” ORDINANCE WHICH WILL NEVER MATCH THE TEACHINGS OF HAZRAT MOHAMMAD (PBUH) ???
i am so,so very sad.that is all i am going to say about it.
I condemn such acts but this is the time when we should dig a bit deeper to find the root cause of the problem.
I’ve read many scholars here giving their final ‘fatwa’s on Islam, Pakistan, Minority rights, and Conspiracy theories. C’mon guys.
Don’t you think that this happened because we failed to stop blasphemous event on Facebook? Yes, these people were stupid to react this way. But would you really light a match where you store your inflammables?
FB event happened because Muslims were too weak to stop it. This bloodshed happened because Ahmadis, at that point, were too weak to stop it. Both the events were launched by STUPID people. Why would you condemn stupids in one part of the world more than ones in other part i.e. Pakistan.
People react differently to same stimulus. In US/EU verbal assault may not mean much (unless it’s against the Holocaust). But for Muslims, anything said against Prophet may mean declaration of war upon them.
And frankly my friends, you guys are in no position to judge that how one should react. Do you really know what sort of attachment people have to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? And those who are sure that Prophet himself would have responded differently to false prophet should know the wars fought against false prophets.
I present the facts/arguments above not to justify the bloodshed, but to make you realize that Facebook (FB) event promoters are equally responsible for this and you should have used your strong voices there too.
Next question is how to ‘fix’ the Taliban? And that requires first understanding why they are doing what they are doing. Hope you’d create a discussion around that topic too.
Naseem
I think the incident is highly condemnable and its bad, I believe the purported headlines are inviting trouble for Pakistan itself, it wasn’t killing of Ahmedi, it was massacre of Pakistanis. If our media could just be try to be least bit politically correct they’d know how half of troubles today are because of media itself.. and relating stupid unrelated topics such as ahmedi discrimination is stupid, as an effort of taking advantage of injury, a group who so desperately wants to be known as Muslim, should consider the rules of religion first.
I think instead of discussing constitution,minority,our focus should be on so many Pakistanis died.
Very sad,heart breaking.
Is a Pakistani blood is cheaper than the rest of the world ?
will this ever stop?
[…] Targeting Ahmadis by Kalsoom Lakhani (CHUP Blog) […]
@ Zahra
Yes, this will stop. Our collective will make sure it does, inshallah. We have just started on this journey.
I am an Ahmadi, this my perspective of the events:
http://madihakark.wordpress.com/
Someone up there said:
“Its a couple of million of us, against 169 million of them…”
It is very unfair to accuse the full population of Pakistan for this incident. It is the TTP who did it, not the Government of Pakistan, or by the people of Pakistan. This statement is an insult for all the Pakistanis from all the religions.
Moreover, before the Ahmadis were attacked at their worship place, the TTP or the terrorists targeted a mosque in Pindi which belonged to the majority sect. So, a person who attacks people at their worship places has no sense of religion and especially Islam.
I have mentioned at different forums, several times, that Islam has the best rights for minorities and non-muslims. Islam was the first religion to fix slavery, the American did that after the 18th century. People from other religions can live in a Muslim state with almost all the rights. Yes, they cannot become the Supreme Leader in a Muslim State, but that is justified.
Other than that they have a lot of rights. Even “Jiziyah” is a tax which is used to protect minorities living in the muslim community, but many people in The West do not understand it.
Coming back to Pakistan, Ahmadis are not considered as Muslims because the scholars not only in Pakistan, but all over the world do not consider Ahamdis muslims because they do not believe in one of the most important aspect of Islam i.e. the finality of the Prophethood. Therefore, a huge muslim sentiment in Pakistan was to constitutionally recognize this fact, that is why the Second Amendment came in to order. To revoke the Second Amendment is nearly next to impossible in Pakistan.
But, Ahmadis are recognized in Pakistan. They have reached at the highest levels. They have been generals and have also become judges. So, it is not all bad for them here as it is sometimes portrayed.
To share a personal story, one of the biggest figurehead after Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in the Ahmaddiya sect is a forefather of mine. He was removed from our family. But, it was my grandfather who made it sure that his inheritors get all what they deserve.
So, for the guy who said “Its a couple of million of us, against 169 million of them…”, 169 million majority of Pakistan are not members of the TTP at the first place. Plus, if we all were so bad then my grand father would have confiscated all their property and would have died as a more rich person.
We are good and law abiding citizens and have some problem makers in our section of the society just like you have in yours. Please recognize this fact.
And for those who think Quaid i Azam was secular, need to read the history of the Muslim League, the two-nation theory, the relationship between Allama Iqbal and Mohd. Ali Jinnah, Khilafat Movement, Sir Syed Ahmad; generally the history of the creation of Pakistan before using one speech of Quaid-e-Azam to say he was secular…read all his speeches before coming to a conclusion.
And for those who do not understand Islam. I would tell them to investigate further about the Agreement of Hudabiya and Hazrat Umar’s (RA) agreement with the people at Jerusalem after the Muslims conquered the territory. You will understand that Islam has the best rights for the unbelievers…It is just that we do not practice Shariah anymore.
Muhammed Khan,
“Making jokes about the Holy Prophet (BPUH) drawing cartoons etc are the acts of heartbreaking and saddening, and so cannot be accepted within the civilised people, so must be stopped.”
hmm..”Civilized” people must stop it by …. rioting, suicide bombing, killing the cartoonist, fatwa..right?
Guys Honestly debating here wont make a difference just now as i am typing this there has been a attack on Jinnah Hospital What is going on in our country do u all think that blogging about would make a difference we all know that this is Bad and its not right so instead of debating shouldnt we be on the roads and protesting against it these people who think they are following the Word of our Beloved Prophet are a BUNCH of SICK people PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!!! lets get together and Do something about this PLEASE! if not Protest lets show some resentment so that people can see this side of the country aswell….
Love and REspect to All
Brilliant!! They wont do the job which they are supposed to.. like delivering passport in time… but are too worried about righteousness of applicants…
Excellent article! I agree, its no use blaming others for the Lahore carnage on Friday or carrying out debates on a blog. The fact is that 100 Ahmadis were martyred (despite the differences, people should be mindful that Ahmadis were gathered in a Mosque (that is precisely the term for a place where people are gathered to offer Prayers) and were attacked in that state, so technically the right terminology to be used by all including TV channels and newspapers and blogs should be ‘masjid’ and ‘shaheed’. Unfortunately that is not the case. Moreover, people who really feel sad and affected by this incident, please make a DIFFERENCE! Write letters and op-eds condemning these attacks and urge the government to repeal anti-Ahmadi laws. All lives are sacred…please have a heart!