By Zain Pal

On December 5^th four Ahmadis were arrested and nine charged under anti-blasphemy laws by the Counter Terrorism Department of the Punjab government in Pakistan, who is trying them as terrorists. These police officers raided the publication offices of Tehrik e Jadid and Zia ul Islam Press of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for no valid reason. The publication offices were in Rabwah, Pakistan, which is the historical international headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

This is one of the many incidents that have occurred against the Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan. They are continuously imprisoned, tortured, and killed just because of their beliefs. They have been stripped of their voting rights and the police have sealed off Ahmadi mosques. Further, Pakistan passed an amendment to the constitution of Pakistan that declared Ahmadis to be non-Muslim. In addition, in 1984, Ordinance XX was adopted saying Ahmadis that pose as Muslims are criminals.

Although the perpetrators of these acts claim that they are carrying out these attacks in the name of Islam, indeed these acts are the antithesis of Islamic values. It says in the Islamic holy book, the Quran, in Chapter 2 Verse 63 that, “Surely, the Believers, and the Jews, and the Christians and the Sabians — whichever party from among these truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds — shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.” The “Muslims” in Pakistan that carry out these horrendous acts have no justification to do so.

As an Ahmadi Muslim, I think this is as atrocious of an act as it would be for a Catholic if Vatican City were raided.

Further, in Chapter 22 Verse 78 it says, “And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you “Muslims” before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah . He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.” Thus, how can the Pakistani government consider themselves true Muslims and carry out such actions against us Ahmadis, while in the process disobey a commandment from God Himself?

We wish to draw attention to the injustice that is taking away Ahmadis’ human rights and the injustice of the Punjabi government by raiding the publication offices in Rabwah. The Ahmadis that were arrested should be immediately released because there is no justification for them to be in prison. We urge human rights organizations in the world to bring attention to these matters because it is not fair for Ahmadis to be discriminated and tortured in Muslim countries, just because we believe in the arrival of the long-awaited Promised Messiah .