[Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community] Monthly Newsreport — December, 2007
Monthly Newsreport — December, 2007
Complete link here.
Still another Ahmadi murdered for his faith
Sheikhupura: December 7, 2007: Mr Humayan Waqar, an Ahmadi trader was shot dead by an unknown assassin at about 22:30 at his garments store in the Stadium.
It is learnt that Mr Waqar was in company of his two non-Ahmadi friends at his store at closing hours of the business when a Punjabi-looking youth came to his shop and showed interest in buying a pair of trousers. He went away, only to return a few minutes later. He entered the shop and fired two pistol shots at Waqar, and escaped. It is not known who and how many accompanied him and facilitated his escape. Soon afterwards, the owner of a nearby burger shop arranged his transfer to a hospital where Mr Waqar was declared dead after half an hour.
The deceased had no personal quarrel with any one. He had received threats to his life in the preceding weeks. It appears that religious bigots planned the murder.
His funeral was attended by a local MPA and a number of non-Ahmadis.
Mr. Waqar was an office-bearer of the local Ahmadiyya Youth. He enjoyed good reputation.
He is the 87th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since 1984. It is a common practice with mullas to openly declare Ahmadis Wajib ul Qatl (those who must be killed). The Urdu press gives publicity to such views. The government takes no action against the mulla and the press guilty of promoting criminal conduct; this results in such wanton murders.[]
Complete link here.
Still another Ahmadi murdered for his faith
Sheikhupura: December 7, 2007: Mr Humayan Waqar, an Ahmadi trader was shot dead by an unknown assassin at about 22:30 at his garments store in the Stadium.
It is learnt that Mr Waqar was in company of his two non-Ahmadi friends at his store at closing hours of the business when a Punjabi-looking youth came to his shop and showed interest in buying a pair of trousers. He went away, only to return a few minutes later. He entered the shop and fired two pistol shots at Waqar, and escaped. It is not known who and how many accompanied him and facilitated his escape. Soon afterwards, the owner of a nearby burger shop arranged his transfer to a hospital where Mr Waqar was declared dead after half an hour.
The deceased had no personal quarrel with any one. He had received threats to his life in the preceding weeks. It appears that religious bigots planned the murder.
His funeral was attended by a local MPA and a number of non-Ahmadis.
Mr. Waqar was an office-bearer of the local Ahmadiyya Youth. He enjoyed good reputation.
He is the 87th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since 1984. It is a common practice with mullas to openly declare Ahmadis Wajib ul Qatl (those who must be killed). The Urdu press gives publicity to such views. The government takes no action against the mulla and the press guilty of promoting criminal conduct; this results in such wanton murders.[]
A case of stark discrimination and injustice
Qamber Ali Khan, District Larkana: A wrangle at the Ahmadiyya prayers centre between anti-Ahmadi activists and Ahmadi worshippers took place on October 5, 2007. It was reported in the monthly News report of October. The intervention of mullas has led to malicious police action against Ahmadis, culminating in registration of a fabricated case and arrests.
Briefly, the incident happened at the occasion of Friday prayers. An Ahmadi youth was posted as guard at the door of women’s section of the prayer center. A non-Ahmadi youth came over on a motor cycle and stood in front of the door. When asked to go away, he refused. This led to a quarrel. The unwelcome visitor departed in anger shouting insults and threats. He returned accompanied by others. By this time, Ahmadis were departing. The intruders attacked them. The altercation resulted in injuries to Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad Chandio, the president of the local Ahmadiyya community. The police arrived at the scene and attempted to impose peace. The opposition locked up the Ahmadiyya centre. The police broke it open and delivered the place back to Ahmadis. The senior mullas came to know of the incident, and they tried to promote the mischief on sectarian basis rather than taking it as a law and order case. The police resisted the mulla initially; however a few weeks later Ahmadis came to know of a serious turn against them.
It is learnt that based on the complaint of Ahmadis’ opponents, the police registered a criminal case against 21 Ahmadis on December 6, 2007 under the Ahmadi-specific law PPC 298-C and PPC 506, in FIR 285/2007 at Police Station Qambar. Eleven of the accused are named, while 10 others are unnamed. Out of the named Ahmadis following five were arrested by the police: Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad Chandio, Mr. Aquil Ahmad, Mr. Javed Ahmad, Mr. Nadir Hussain and Mr. Maqsood Ahmad Chandio. Mr. Maqsud Chandio was later released from the police custody.
The complainants blamed Ahmadis (of course, falsely) of blasphemy against the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and defiling Islam etc. “…In a speech blasphemy words against the Holy Prophet were being used,” wrote the complainant for the FIR. The complaint has been cooked by malicious mullas. Because of the forthcoming elections, the mullas have perhaps succeeded in commandeering support from political heavy-weights, local government officials and the administration. It is a fabricated complaint. It makes no mention of the physical altercation: it only accuses Ahmadis of blasphemy and hurting their religious feelings etc. This is how these elements shamelessly use religious laws to support their personal vendettas. And the state volunteers to co-operate, regardless of its own suffering at their hands in FATA, Swat, Islamabad, etc..[]
Freedom of Religion and Assembly denied to Ahmadis
Rabwah: Ahmadis of Pakistan were denied permission, again this year, to hold their traditional annual conference at Rabwah, by the government whose declared policy is that of ‘enlightened moderation’. We present a brief on this important issue.
Ahmadiyya annual conference was instituted more than a century ago by the holy founder of the community. Its main objective was stated as: “for all friends to assemble here on this date to listen to divine words, and join in prayers.” The first such conference was held at Qadian in the province of the Punjab, British India in 1891. Since then this conference had been held regularly every year, except for one or two years when an account of force majeure it was postponed from its traditional dates in December to another month (for example due to extensive riots and the resulting exodus in the year of the Partition of the Sub-continent). However, the conference was held, nevertheless. After the Partition, the conference at Rabwah was international in character, as the Khalifatul Masih (the Caliph) resided here. This practice continued till 1984, when General Zia, who used Islam to perpetuate himself as President, struck hard to harm the Ahmadiyya community, not only in Pakistan but all over the world. His vicious plan was all-encompassing and worldwide. In his message to a Khatme Nabuwwat Conference at London in 1985, he disclosed his design as: “We will Insha Allah, persevere in our effort to ensure that the cancer of Qadianism is exterminated”. (See Annex I). In addition to various other steps that he took to exterminate this ‘cancer’, one was to disallow holding of this annual conference at Rabwah.
Zia took a number of steps against Ahmadis in gross violation of fundamental rights and international norms enshrined in Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His evil legacy did not come to end with his death in a plane crash. Subsequent regimes found it politically convenient to maintain the obscurantist policy. Ahmadiyya community requested permission every year to hold the Conference but it was never granted. Initially, for some years, authorities would send a refusal letter, now they do not bother even to reply. However, it seems that the administration does indulge in some paper work to justify their refusal. This year when the Ahmadiyya headquarters requested permission to hold this conference, the District authorities asked the local police to give their opinion. The local Sub Inspector, incharge of the Police Post at Rabwah sent in the following rather pretentious and presumptuous report:
The above letter is typical and exposes the attitude of the administration to the Ahmadiyya community. The writer sub-inspector is a petty official of the police department. If not much else, these officials are expert in assessing the wishes of their superiors. He is firmly of the opinion that the administration’s policy is to provide no relief to Ahmadis, so he chose to write his opinion and recommendation accordingly and firmly — even beyond the call of duty. Following is also noteworthy:
Update on Elections 2008
Rabwah: A brief on the subject of Ahmadis’ exclusion from Elections 2008 was included in the News Report for November 2007. Up-date is given here.
A letter was written from the Ahmadiyya headquarters in Pakistan to the President, the Acting Prime Minister and the Chief Election Commissioner on 12 December 2007. It highlighted the discriminatory rules and procedures against the Ahmadiyya community and pleaded that “the joint electorate system should be practically implemented in its true sense and spirit and no one should be allowed to manipulate the electoral process for their own vested interests.” A copy of this letter is placed as Annex II to this Report.
Letters were also written to the President, the Acting PM and the CEC for grant of an appointment to a three-member Ahmadiyya delegation at the earliest convenience. These authorities did not reply except the office of the CEC that conveyed that ‘the Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner is awfully busy now a days’.
Amnesty International Pakistan issued its own comment on ‘the system of Electorate Rolls in Pakistan’ and fully endorsed the Ahmadiyya view and grievance. It made the following three recommendations in conclusion:
The behavior of the national press on this issue is worth placing on record. The press release issued by Mr Saleem-ud-din, the spokesman for the Jamaat Ahmadiyya was given good coverage by the Daily Times, Lahore (on December 16). The Urdu press, for instance the daily Jang, made it one-column news. This paper spared 3-column headline space for the rejoinder issued by one mulla Allah Yar Arshad who said, “System of Joint Electorate is a deviation from the principles on which Pakistan was founded. Qadianis are making unsuccessful efforts to gain some cheap popularity; their statements are incorrect.” It is also worth a mention that the Ahmadiyya community approached the press to publish its announcement of disassociation from the elections, and offered even to pay for it, but except for two Urdu and two English newspapers none agreed to publish it.
There are only 7 days left to the Election day. It appears that the establishment has decided to pay no heed to the justified grievance of a marginalized section of population, despite what the founding father said, the voice of reason demands and the higher values of statecraft dictate.[]
Ahmadis behind bars
From the press
* Qadianis have refused to participate in Elections in protest against the religion column in the voter’s Form and separate voter lists for Qadianis. The daily Jang, Lahore; December 17, 2007
* Musharraf to ‘follow’ Quaid. The daily Dawn, Lahore; December 26, 2007
* Acute water shortage for ten days in Chenab Nagar. Residents are out in search of water with buckets, canisters and pails in hand. The daily Jang, Lahore; December 01, 2007
* Maulana’s (Fazlur Rehman) deceitful politics. An op-ed in the Frontier Post, December 4, 2007
* Baluchistan seminary blast kills six students. The daily Dawn, Lahore; December 04, 2007
* Two Afghans picked up in mosque blast that killed 60. The Daily Times, Lahore; December 24, 2007
* GCU’s (Government College University) school (of Mathematical Sciences) named after Dr Abdus Salam. The daily Dawn, Lahore; December 03, 2007
* ’Official poll results ready’. A report in the daily Dawn, Lahore; December 11, 2007
* Pope terms Pakistan a ‘tortured land’. The daily Dawn, Lahore; December 26, 2007
* Benazir felled by assassin’s bullets; 21 others killed in suicide bombing; Asif Zardari, children taking remains to Larkana. Garhi Khuda Bux awaits another Bhutto. The daily Dawn, Lahore; December 28, 2007
* In two-days riots: 38 dead, 174 banks, 18 railway stations, 72 railway wagons, 34 gas stations and 765 shops set on fire. 53 injured, 370 vehicles destroyed and 100 prisoners escaped from prisons in two days; they took to loot and arson. Rioters will not be forgiven. — Spokesman Ministry of Interior. The daily Awaz, Lahore; December 30, 2007
Op-eds
* Let me introduce you to another group (of the IJT, Islami Jamiat Talaba, the student wing of the J.I.). This group, infused with piety and eager to taste martyrdom proceeded forth to protect the tormented Muslims of Afghanistan and Kashmir from the blood-soaked excesses of infidels. It was a group of eagles that shed its own blood (to that end). Each one of them struck the infidels like a bolt from the blue, and having hit them with unbearable strike joined the group of martyrs. Now I ask each and every member of our society that if the Jamiat was not there, was this at all possible? --Waqar Ahmad’s article “Jamiat and Pakistan”, in the daily Waqt, Lahore; December 24, 2007
Annex I
President Gen. Zia-ul-Haq’s message to the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Conference held at London in August 1985
Pakistan
Message From
GENERAL M. ZIA-UL-HAQ
President Islamic Republic of Pakistan
TO
INTERNATIONAL KHATM-E-NABUWWAT CONFERENCE
London, August 4-6, 1985
MESSAGE FROM
GENERAL M. ZIA-UL-HAQ
PRESIDENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN
TO
INTERNATIONAL KHATM-E-NABUWWAT CONFERENCE
LONDON (04-06 AUGUST, 1985)
I wish to take this opportunity to pay a tribute to the organisers of the International Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Conference for focusing world attention on an issue of such pre-eminent significance to the World of Islam. The concept of Finality of the Prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not only the cornerstone of our faith as Muslims, but also a blessing to humanity through which the universality of Allah’s message for mankind has been established for all times to come.
Over the ages and, in fact, even during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), impostors and liars, motivated by ulterior designs, have tried to pose as saviours and prophets, and even sought to convert people to their ways and beliefs. However, the Ummah has waged a continuous struggle against such heresies and heretics, and staunchly upheld the Faith in all its purity and glory.
It is a matter of great pride for the Muslims of South Asia, that they have successfully exposed the mis-guided beliefs of the founder of the Qadiani movement, and firmly thwarted the attempt to spread the heretical claim of Zilli, or Bruzi Nabi by him, or hia claim as Jesus Christ or a re-incarnation of the Prophet.
In the last few years, in particular, the Government of Pakistan has taken several stringent administrative and legal measures to prevent the Qadianis from masquerading as Muslims, and from practising various Shaure-Islami. We will Insha’Allah, persevere in our effort to ensure that the cancer of Qadianism is exterminated.
In the end, I, on my own behalf, and on behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan, extend our wholehearted support to the noble aims and objectives of this International Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Conference, and pledge ourselves to protect the unity and solidarity of Muslim Ummah at all costs.[]
Annex II
Ahmadiyya headquarters’ letter to the authorities on Elections 2008
12-12-07
Nazarat Umoor E Aama
Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Rabwah (Pakistan)
The President
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Respected Sir,
I would like to draw your attention to an issue which is not only a stark violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed in our constitution and Pakistan's international human rights commitments but is also contrary to the spirit of justice and equality. Since the inception of Pakistan in 1947 to the time of General Zia-ul-Haq, all national elections were conducted on the basis of joint electorate system. This was in line with the vision of the founding father of the nation and was duly enshrined in the 1973 constitution. Unfortunately, during the government of General Zia-ul-Haq the joint electorate system was replaced by separate electorates which substantially contributed to the rise of sectarianism and religious intolerance in the country. It is sad to observe that we are still witnessing the horrid consequences of these evils.
Your Government took the decision to restore the joint electorate system which was a step in the right direction, as you mentioned it in your first speech to the nation once again on the 21st November as president of Pakistan. However, the practical outcome of this change is not as real as it may appear. There still happens to be a section of the society which is discriminated against on the basis of religion despite the fact that we have reverted back to joint electorates. No body knows how election commission announced /declared a notification on17th January 2007(No.F.1(6)/2001-Cord) which reads:-
“I am directed to say that the competent authority has been pleased to decide that separate supplementary lists of draft electoral rolls for Ahmadis/Quadianis for the electoral areas concerned. Wherever they are registered may be prepared and published thereby mentioning “( قادیانیوں کیلۓ مرد - خواتین --Qaadiyaaniyon-keliye mard khootiin)” as the case may be.”
Separate voter lists are prepared for Ahmadis whose votes are registered only if they dissociate themselves from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), something which is not possible for any Ahmadi to perform in light of our religious belief and practical life. This community, Mr. President, had vociferously championed the cause of Pakistan and has since then served this country with all its heart and soul both at individual and collective level.
It is thus very disheartening when extremist elements in the country are allowed to shamelessly influence the election process in the name of Islam and public sensitivities. As a result, a large number of Pakistani citizens have been deprived of their basic right to vote.
Preparation of separate voter lists on the basis of religion is absolutely against the saying of the Qaid Azam and human rights charter of the United Nations to which Pakistan is a signatory. It is also against the spirit of the constitution of Pakistan which allows equal rights to the citizen irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. In the light of prevailing conditions, we as a community register our strong protest against this discrimination, denying us the right of vote as Pakistani citizen.
I plead on behalf of millions of Pakistanis that the joint electorate system should be practically implemented in its true sense and spirit and no one should be allowed to manipulate the electoral process for their own vested interests. Everybody should be given right of vote as Pakistani.
Your Sincerely,
Saleem-ud-Din
Nazir Umoor e Aama
Briefly, the incident happened at the occasion of Friday prayers. An Ahmadi youth was posted as guard at the door of women’s section of the prayer center. A non-Ahmadi youth came over on a motor cycle and stood in front of the door. When asked to go away, he refused. This led to a quarrel. The unwelcome visitor departed in anger shouting insults and threats. He returned accompanied by others. By this time, Ahmadis were departing. The intruders attacked them. The altercation resulted in injuries to Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad Chandio, the president of the local Ahmadiyya community. The police arrived at the scene and attempted to impose peace. The opposition locked up the Ahmadiyya centre. The police broke it open and delivered the place back to Ahmadis. The senior mullas came to know of the incident, and they tried to promote the mischief on sectarian basis rather than taking it as a law and order case. The police resisted the mulla initially; however a few weeks later Ahmadis came to know of a serious turn against them.
It is learnt that based on the complaint of Ahmadis’ opponents, the police registered a criminal case against 21 Ahmadis on December 6, 2007 under the Ahmadi-specific law PPC 298-C and PPC 506, in FIR 285/2007 at Police Station Qambar. Eleven of the accused are named, while 10 others are unnamed. Out of the named Ahmadis following five were arrested by the police: Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad Chandio, Mr. Aquil Ahmad, Mr. Javed Ahmad, Mr. Nadir Hussain and Mr. Maqsood Ahmad Chandio. Mr. Maqsud Chandio was later released from the police custody.
The complainants blamed Ahmadis (of course, falsely) of blasphemy against the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and defiling Islam etc. “…In a speech blasphemy words against the Holy Prophet were being used,” wrote the complainant for the FIR. The complaint has been cooked by malicious mullas. Because of the forthcoming elections, the mullas have perhaps succeeded in commandeering support from political heavy-weights, local government officials and the administration. It is a fabricated complaint. It makes no mention of the physical altercation: it only accuses Ahmadis of blasphemy and hurting their religious feelings etc. This is how these elements shamelessly use religious laws to support their personal vendettas. And the state volunteers to co-operate, regardless of its own suffering at their hands in FATA, Swat, Islamabad, etc..[]
Freedom of Religion and Assembly denied to Ahmadis
Rabwah: Ahmadis of Pakistan were denied permission, again this year, to hold their traditional annual conference at Rabwah, by the government whose declared policy is that of ‘enlightened moderation’. We present a brief on this important issue.
Ahmadiyya annual conference was instituted more than a century ago by the holy founder of the community. Its main objective was stated as: “for all friends to assemble here on this date to listen to divine words, and join in prayers.” The first such conference was held at Qadian in the province of the Punjab, British India in 1891. Since then this conference had been held regularly every year, except for one or two years when an account of force majeure it was postponed from its traditional dates in December to another month (for example due to extensive riots and the resulting exodus in the year of the Partition of the Sub-continent). However, the conference was held, nevertheless. After the Partition, the conference at Rabwah was international in character, as the Khalifatul Masih (the Caliph) resided here. This practice continued till 1984, when General Zia, who used Islam to perpetuate himself as President, struck hard to harm the Ahmadiyya community, not only in Pakistan but all over the world. His vicious plan was all-encompassing and worldwide. In his message to a Khatme Nabuwwat Conference at London in 1985, he disclosed his design as: “We will Insha Allah, persevere in our effort to ensure that the cancer of Qadianism is exterminated”. (See Annex I). In addition to various other steps that he took to exterminate this ‘cancer’, one was to disallow holding of this annual conference at Rabwah.
Zia took a number of steps against Ahmadis in gross violation of fundamental rights and international norms enshrined in Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His evil legacy did not come to end with his death in a plane crash. Subsequent regimes found it politically convenient to maintain the obscurantist policy. Ahmadiyya community requested permission every year to hold the Conference but it was never granted. Initially, for some years, authorities would send a refusal letter, now they do not bother even to reply. However, it seems that the administration does indulge in some paper work to justify their refusal. This year when the Ahmadiyya headquarters requested permission to hold this conference, the District authorities asked the local police to give their opinion. The local Sub Inspector, incharge of the Police Post at Rabwah sent in the following rather pretentious and presumptuous report:
Police station: Chenab Nagar
District Jhang
In reply to: Letter No. 13305A/12-11- 07
Police Station Chenab Nagar 3685-SB/8-11-07
Subject: Application requesting holding the annual conference of Jamaat Ahmadiyya
Sir,
It is submitted that the Director of Public Affairs Ahmadiyya Community Chenab Nagar Saleem-ud-din has put up a request on the above subject. Ahmadiyya Community is a minority community and as per the Ordinance it can hold no conference or procession in Pakistan nor can it openly proselytize. In these circumstances, permission for the conference cannot be granted, and it is recommended that no conference of any sort may be permitted.
Report submitted for appropriate orders.
Nasir Abbas SI/ic Police Post Chenab Nagar
24.11.07
Forwarded P.L
S.H.O. PS. Chenab Nagar 24-11-07
The above letter is typical and exposes the attitude of the administration to the Ahmadiyya community. The writer sub-inspector is a petty official of the police department. If not much else, these officials are expert in assessing the wishes of their superiors. He is firmly of the opinion that the administration’s policy is to provide no relief to Ahmadis, so he chose to write his opinion and recommendation accordingly and firmly — even beyond the call of duty. Following is also noteworthy:
1. The sub-inspector shows his ignorance by calling Mr Saleem-ud-din a director of Chenab Nagar Ahmadiyya Community. He ought to know that the gentleman is the Director Public Affairs of the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya (central Ahmadiyya organization).However, in all fairness to the sub-inspector, he should not be blamed for his unbecoming official conduct; he is the routine product of the system of governance developed by the Pakistani establishment.[]
2. This official should learn to be suitably polite and write the director as Mr. Saleem-ud-din, rather than merely Saleem-ud-din.
3. He is wrong in writing that as per the Ordinance the Ahmadiyya community is not allowed to hold a conference. The Ordinance makes no such mention. The imagined restriction is a creation of his own mind, or an impression gained from experience rather than the wording of the law.
4. His unnecessary reference to Ahmadiyya Community as a ‘minority’ betrays his assumption that ‘minorities’ may be treated quite unlike the privileged majority.
5. He is swept away by his inappropriate ego to finally recommend that ‘no conference of any sort may be permitted’.
Update on Elections 2008
Rabwah: A brief on the subject of Ahmadis’ exclusion from Elections 2008 was included in the News Report for November 2007. Up-date is given here.
A letter was written from the Ahmadiyya headquarters in Pakistan to the President, the Acting Prime Minister and the Chief Election Commissioner on 12 December 2007. It highlighted the discriminatory rules and procedures against the Ahmadiyya community and pleaded that “the joint electorate system should be practically implemented in its true sense and spirit and no one should be allowed to manipulate the electoral process for their own vested interests.” A copy of this letter is placed as Annex II to this Report.
Letters were also written to the President, the Acting PM and the CEC for grant of an appointment to a three-member Ahmadiyya delegation at the earliest convenience. These authorities did not reply except the office of the CEC that conveyed that ‘the Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner is awfully busy now a days’.
Amnesty International Pakistan issued its own comment on ‘the system of Electorate Rolls in Pakistan’ and fully endorsed the Ahmadiyya view and grievance. It made the following three recommendations in conclusion:
* The international community, UN, the EU and regional institutes should urge the Government of Pakistan to establish a Joint Electorate Rolls System in Pakistan, free of discrimination against cast, creed and colour.
* Amnesty International Pakistan strongly demands from the government of Pakistan to take immediate step to demolish this inhumane discrimination. President General Musharraf’s order calling for separate electorate list only for Ahmadis in 2002 is still in vogue. It is therefore urgently needed that The Chief Executive’s Order No.15 of June 17, 2002 should be withdrawn. Joint electoral lists should be prepared without any reference to religion or creed.
* Amnesty International Pakistan urges that all discriminatory certification should be done away with. Ahmadis should not be discriminated in any manner as regards the electoral process in the country.
The behavior of the national press on this issue is worth placing on record. The press release issued by Mr Saleem-ud-din, the spokesman for the Jamaat Ahmadiyya was given good coverage by the Daily Times, Lahore (on December 16). The Urdu press, for instance the daily Jang, made it one-column news. This paper spared 3-column headline space for the rejoinder issued by one mulla Allah Yar Arshad who said, “System of Joint Electorate is a deviation from the principles on which Pakistan was founded. Qadianis are making unsuccessful efforts to gain some cheap popularity; their statements are incorrect.” It is also worth a mention that the Ahmadiyya community approached the press to publish its announcement of disassociation from the elections, and offered even to pay for it, but except for two Urdu and two English newspapers none agreed to publish it.
There are only 7 days left to the Election day. It appears that the establishment has decided to pay no heed to the justified grievance of a marginalized section of population, despite what the founding father said, the voice of reason demands and the higher values of statecraft dictate.[]
Ahmadis behind bars
1. Mr. Muhammad Iqbal was awarded life imprisonment in a fabricated case of blasphemy. He was arrested in March 2004, and is now incarcerated in the Central Jail, Faisalabad. An appeal lies with the Lahore High Court against the decision of the Sessions Court. It is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 89/2005. He is now in the fourth year of imprisonment.
2. Three Ahmadis namely Messrs. Basharat, Nasir Ahmad and Muhammad Idrees along with 7 others of Chak Sikandar were arrested in September 2003 on false charge of murder of a mullah, at the complaint of Ahmadi-bashers. The police, after due investigation found nothing against all these accused. Still the innocent faced a ‘complaint trial’ for a crime they did not commit. Based on the unreliable testimony of the two alleged eye-witnesses (who were proven false in the court) the court acquitted seven of the accused, but on the evidence of the same two liars the court sentenced these above-named three innocent Ahmadis to death. They are lodged in death cell at prison in Jehlum, while their plea for justice lies with the Lahore High Court. It is now over three and half years that they are in prison. Their appeal to the Lahore High Court is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 616/2005 dated 26 April 2005.
3. Four Ahmadis are in prison at Qambar, Sindh after their arrest in a fabricated case under Ahmadi-specific law 298-C.[]
From the press
* Qadianis have refused to participate in Elections in protest against the religion column in the voter’s Form and separate voter lists for Qadianis. The daily Jang, Lahore; December 17, 2007
* Musharraf to ‘follow’ Quaid. The daily Dawn, Lahore; December 26, 2007
* Acute water shortage for ten days in Chenab Nagar. Residents are out in search of water with buckets, canisters and pails in hand. The daily Jang, Lahore; December 01, 2007
* Maulana’s (Fazlur Rehman) deceitful politics. An op-ed in the Frontier Post, December 4, 2007
* Baluchistan seminary blast kills six students. The daily Dawn, Lahore; December 04, 2007
* Two Afghans picked up in mosque blast that killed 60. The Daily Times, Lahore; December 24, 2007
* GCU’s (Government College University) school (of Mathematical Sciences) named after Dr Abdus Salam. The daily Dawn, Lahore; December 03, 2007
* ’Official poll results ready’. A report in the daily Dawn, Lahore; December 11, 2007
* Pope terms Pakistan a ‘tortured land’. The daily Dawn, Lahore; December 26, 2007
* Benazir felled by assassin’s bullets; 21 others killed in suicide bombing; Asif Zardari, children taking remains to Larkana. Garhi Khuda Bux awaits another Bhutto. The daily Dawn, Lahore; December 28, 2007
* In two-days riots: 38 dead, 174 banks, 18 railway stations, 72 railway wagons, 34 gas stations and 765 shops set on fire. 53 injured, 370 vehicles destroyed and 100 prisoners escaped from prisons in two days; they took to loot and arson. Rioters will not be forgiven. — Spokesman Ministry of Interior. The daily Awaz, Lahore; December 30, 2007
Op-eds
* Let me introduce you to another group (of the IJT, Islami Jamiat Talaba, the student wing of the J.I.). This group, infused with piety and eager to taste martyrdom proceeded forth to protect the tormented Muslims of Afghanistan and Kashmir from the blood-soaked excesses of infidels. It was a group of eagles that shed its own blood (to that end). Each one of them struck the infidels like a bolt from the blue, and having hit them with unbearable strike joined the group of martyrs. Now I ask each and every member of our society that if the Jamiat was not there, was this at all possible? --Waqar Ahmad’s article “Jamiat and Pakistan”, in the daily Waqt, Lahore; December 24, 2007
Annex I
President Gen. Zia-ul-Haq’s message to the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Conference held at London in August 1985
Pakistan
Message From
GENERAL M. ZIA-UL-HAQ
President Islamic Republic of Pakistan
TO
INTERNATIONAL KHATM-E-NABUWWAT CONFERENCE
London, August 4-6, 1985
MESSAGE FROM
GENERAL M. ZIA-UL-HAQ
PRESIDENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN
TO
INTERNATIONAL KHATM-E-NABUWWAT CONFERENCE
LONDON (04-06 AUGUST, 1985)
I wish to take this opportunity to pay a tribute to the organisers of the International Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Conference for focusing world attention on an issue of such pre-eminent significance to the World of Islam. The concept of Finality of the Prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not only the cornerstone of our faith as Muslims, but also a blessing to humanity through which the universality of Allah’s message for mankind has been established for all times to come.
Over the ages and, in fact, even during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), impostors and liars, motivated by ulterior designs, have tried to pose as saviours and prophets, and even sought to convert people to their ways and beliefs. However, the Ummah has waged a continuous struggle against such heresies and heretics, and staunchly upheld the Faith in all its purity and glory.
It is a matter of great pride for the Muslims of South Asia, that they have successfully exposed the mis-guided beliefs of the founder of the Qadiani movement, and firmly thwarted the attempt to spread the heretical claim of Zilli, or Bruzi Nabi by him, or hia claim as Jesus Christ or a re-incarnation of the Prophet.
In the last few years, in particular, the Government of Pakistan has taken several stringent administrative and legal measures to prevent the Qadianis from masquerading as Muslims, and from practising various Shaure-Islami. We will Insha’Allah, persevere in our effort to ensure that the cancer of Qadianism is exterminated.
In the end, I, on my own behalf, and on behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan, extend our wholehearted support to the noble aims and objectives of this International Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Conference, and pledge ourselves to protect the unity and solidarity of Muslim Ummah at all costs.[]
Annex II
Ahmadiyya headquarters’ letter to the authorities on Elections 2008
12-12-07
Nazarat Umoor E Aama
Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Rabwah (Pakistan)
The President
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Respected Sir,
I would like to draw your attention to an issue which is not only a stark violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed in our constitution and Pakistan's international human rights commitments but is also contrary to the spirit of justice and equality. Since the inception of Pakistan in 1947 to the time of General Zia-ul-Haq, all national elections were conducted on the basis of joint electorate system. This was in line with the vision of the founding father of the nation and was duly enshrined in the 1973 constitution. Unfortunately, during the government of General Zia-ul-Haq the joint electorate system was replaced by separate electorates which substantially contributed to the rise of sectarianism and religious intolerance in the country. It is sad to observe that we are still witnessing the horrid consequences of these evils.
Your Government took the decision to restore the joint electorate system which was a step in the right direction, as you mentioned it in your first speech to the nation once again on the 21st November as president of Pakistan. However, the practical outcome of this change is not as real as it may appear. There still happens to be a section of the society which is discriminated against on the basis of religion despite the fact that we have reverted back to joint electorates. No body knows how election commission announced /declared a notification on17th January 2007(No.F.1(6)/2001-Cord) which reads:-
“I am directed to say that the competent authority has been pleased to decide that separate supplementary lists of draft electoral rolls for Ahmadis/Quadianis for the electoral areas concerned. Wherever they are registered may be prepared and published thereby mentioning “( قادیانیوں کیلۓ مرد - خواتین --Qaadiyaaniyon-keliye mard khootiin)” as the case may be.”
Separate voter lists are prepared for Ahmadis whose votes are registered only if they dissociate themselves from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), something which is not possible for any Ahmadi to perform in light of our religious belief and practical life. This community, Mr. President, had vociferously championed the cause of Pakistan and has since then served this country with all its heart and soul both at individual and collective level.
It is thus very disheartening when extremist elements in the country are allowed to shamelessly influence the election process in the name of Islam and public sensitivities. As a result, a large number of Pakistani citizens have been deprived of their basic right to vote.
Preparation of separate voter lists on the basis of religion is absolutely against the saying of the Qaid Azam and human rights charter of the United Nations to which Pakistan is a signatory. It is also against the spirit of the constitution of Pakistan which allows equal rights to the citizen irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. In the light of prevailing conditions, we as a community register our strong protest against this discrimination, denying us the right of vote as Pakistani citizen.
I plead on behalf of millions of Pakistanis that the joint electorate system should be practically implemented in its true sense and spirit and no one should be allowed to manipulate the electoral process for their own vested interests. Everybody should be given right of vote as Pakistani.
Your Sincerely,
Saleem-ud-Din
Nazir Umoor e Aama
Comments
WHY NO MEDIA OR INTERNATIONAL HUE AND CRY
Muzaffar Mansoor
Unfortunately the history has been forgotten of those unpopular fundamentalist Islamic Parties including Majlise Ahrar and Jamat-e-Islami which were deadly against the foundation [alphabet ‘P’] of Pakistan calling it with all sort of dirty names like ‘Plaeedastan’, ‘Kafristan’ and to the founder Quaid-e-Azam as ‘Kafir-e-Azam’, dramatically emerged with a new cloak as custodians and trusties of the ideology of Pakistan and its founder soon after its creation. On the independence in 1947 they moved to Pakistan and began advocating that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and for the Sharia Law. Thus to regain their lost popularity they initiated their anti-Ahmadi agenda against Ahmadi Muslims who had played extraordinarily role for the creation of Pakistan and even became an instrument in bringing Quaid-e-Azam back to the independence track when he had abandoned the movement and returned to London. Ahmadis were Muslims until 1974 when they were declared as non-Muslims for the purposes of constitution and law have had worked very hard for the creation of Pakistan unlike those Islamic Parties now ‘so called trusties’ which were deadly against its creation altogether.
Although General Musharaf the President is currently visiting various countries and advocating for ‘enlightened moderation’ in Pakistan to please his allies on ‘war on terror’ but practically has done nothing to unite the citizens on the grounds of equality as Pakistanis but has deliberately acted contrary to it. According to the Election Laws the basis for voters’ eligibility is Pakistani citizenship only, not religion or race. In stark contrast to these laws, the voter forms provided by the Election Commission of Pakistan blatantly include a column for religion of the voter, a maneuver specifically designed to coerce Ahmadis to declare their disassociation with the Holy Prophet Muhammad [pbuh], which no Ahmadi would dare to envision. In order to conduct Elections on Joint electorate basis, Voters List is compiled of all the citizens and displayed for public information. It would have been a welcome step towards national unity discipline and faith: ‘Ittehad, Tanzim, Yaqeen-e-Muhkam’ the sequence of which has been also changed into Iman, Ittehad, Nazm translated as "Faith, Unity, Discipline" with the advent of Mullaism thereby dividing the country’s ‘unity’ the first, the foremost fabric into sectarianism, intolerance and extremism , the fruits of which we are currently reaping in Pakistan.
The Election Commission acting under inexplicable pressure and expediency issued the following order vide its circular [No.F.1 (6)/2001-Cord] of 17th January, 2007: “I am directed to say that the competent authority has been pleased to decide that separate supplementary lists of draft electoral rolls for Ahmadis / Quadianis for the electoral areas concerned wherever they are registered may be prepared and published thereby mentioning” (For Quadianis, Men / Women)” as the case may be.”
This regulation has resulted in two lists, one general list for all Pakistani Citizens and the other list exclusively for Ahmadis, their blatant marginalization and stigmatization. This egregious display of religious discrimination is not only designed to fan sectarian hatred but runs contrary to the Quaid-e-Azam the Father of Nation’s vision, pronouncements, the Constitution of Pakistan and the spirit of the General Elections. It also flies in the face of the UN Charter of human rights and is a despicable attempt to single out millions of Ahmadis from the national mainstream and to render them politically irrelevant. It is in fact a brazen display of ruthless suppression of the human rights of Ahmadis, peaceful and law abiding citizen of Pakistan, and heartless of the country’s defamation because of it. These elections will therefore loose its credibility and fairness contrary to what General Musharaf the President is trying to portray.
It is noted that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Pakistan through their petition and press releases have notified the Election Commission of Pakistan and government functionaries of this poignant state of affairs. Surprisingly no media or international condemnation has been registered so far from any of the human rights flag bearers because they have no vested interests in this particular cause.
Electorate system is fundamental to any election. In Pakistan, it has a history since its inception in 1947 until the General Zia-ul-Haq rule; all the national elections to the provincial and national assemblies were conducted on the basis of Joint Electorate system. This was in line with the vision of the founding father of this nation and has been duly enshrined in the 1973 constitution. Ahmadis participated in all elections equally with the rest of the population.
Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto introduced a change in that he allocated a few additional seats to religious minorities in assemblies, in addition to their rights in the general arrangement. These additional representatives for the minorities were to be elected by the assembly members. As Ahmadi Muslims did not accept the imposed status of the non-Muslims, a religious minority, they never availed these seats although there was an odd case whereby the government rigged and nominated a non-representative dummy as show-boy to fill the vacancy that was never requested nor acknowledged by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
General Zia-ul-Haq also known as ‘a Mullah in uniform’ in addition to his other damage caused to the nation imposed the system of Separate Electorate on the political scene in collaboration with anti-Ahmadi Mullahs. In 1985, through the 8th Amendment to the 1973 constitution he imposed it. Since then elections have been held in the country on this basis that separate electoral lists are prepared for different religious groups. Those who claim to be Muslims have to sign a certificate of faith in ‘the end of prophethood’ and deny the veracity of the holy founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The separate electorate system thus divided the Pakistani polity in numerous entities based on religion, sectarianism and with a great damage to the fundamental fabric of ‘Unity’ in the emblem ‘Unity, Discipline and Faith’ given by the Quaid-i-Azam.
This electoral system was maintained after Zia by subsequent regimes. General Musharaf, pressed by the West, brought about some change in the system; however, he stopped well-short of demolishing the system of separate electorate. There is, however, a general misconception that Pakistan has shifted from Separate Electorate to Joint Electorate system - actually it is not true. The Chief Executive’s Order No. 15 of 2002 published in the Gazette of Pakistan (EXTRAORDINARY) issued at ISLAMABAD on MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2002, titled Conduct of General Elections (Second Amendment) Order, 2002, created a separate ‘supplementary list of voters’ in which Ahmadi voters were placed as ‘non-Muslim’. That was the end of his short-lived Joint Electorate reintroduction ambition. That order has not been cancelled or amended and remains in force in its entirety.
It would be recalled that in May 2002, when the system of Joint Electorate was reintroduced, anti-Ahmadi Mullahs raised some hue and cry. One of them who called himself Engineer Saleemullah stood up in a state-sponsored Seerat Conference, which was attended by General Musharaf, the then Chief Executive and the Chief of the Army Staff, and protested in favour of Separate Electorate to exclude Ahmadis. General Musharaf readily reassured him that his concern would be attended to. Sure enough, a few days later Chief Executive’s Order No. 15 was published in the Gazette of Pakistan on June 17, 2002 to appease him. The new Articles enforced that the status of Ahmadis etc. was to remain unchanged despite the Conduct of General Elections Order 2002. It also provided a procedure in Article 7C whereby voters would be required to sign declaration concerning belief about the absolute and unqualified finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and those who refuse to sign the certificate were to be deleted from the joint electoral rolls and added to a supplementary list of voters in the same electoral area as non-Muslims. So that was the end of the resurrected Joint Electorate system. It is an interesting footnote that the so-called Mullah-cum-Engineer Saleemullah has been arrested a few months ago, and no amount of official gratification would put an end to his continuous drives at mischief.
In short, there is really no change in the old system of Separate Electorate - not at all for millions of Pakistani Ahmadi Muslim citizens at least. The absence of change was noted by discerning intellectuals at the time in 2002. Mr Ayaz Amir, a leading columnist wrote his column for the daily DAWN at this occasion and titled it ‘Back to the future’. His opening remark was: EVEN in a land renowned for silly edicts, the most recent addition to the statute book, Chief Executive’s Order No. 15, takes the prize for silliness. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan criticized the continuation of the requirement of the Sworn Statement regarding Religion by the candidate, and expressed its concern regarding Ahmadis’ electoral situation. Mr I A Rehman, a leading intellectual wrote an article in the DAWN of September 17, 2002 with headings: Joint electorate? Not quite. As such, there is no doubt that in Pakistan separate electorate system is still in vogue. The given impression of joint electorate is nothing more than a mere deceitful propaganda. The revised rules respond only to a powerful lobby; these do not in principle redress the basic wrong.
Those who govern Pakistan and the Election Commission have all along adopted a well-designed deliberate devious policy to ensure that Ahmadi Muslims are kept out of the elections. In the Election 2002, the Election Commission introduced two separate forms for registration of voters, one for Muslims (Form 2) and another (Form 8) for Non-Muslims, and made it obligatory for Ahmadis to apply through Form 8. Obviously, no Ahmadi could dare to denounce his beliefs for the sake of election in violation of his her fundamental right. This suited well to the Election Commission and the Mullah. Now the Commission has done away with Form 8 and redesigned Form 2. The new Form 2 is the same for all voters, [BUT] it requires them to tick one of the given boxes that mention religion. To ensure that an Ahmadi Muslim may not tick himself as Muslim because they are Muslims, special certificate is added on the back of the Form wherein every applicant who ticks himself as a Muslim is made to sign an odd certificate. This certificate includes a declaration regarding faith in the absolute and unqualified end of prophethood and a denial of being a Qadiani / Lahori / Ahmadi. The form includes a warning that a violation will be punished with imprisonment. That places Pakistan squarely with that of 17th century Europe. It is relevant to mention that the given definition of a Muslim in Form 2, as adopted from Article 260(3) the constitution is only made-in-Pakistan and, leave alone the original sources, has not been found anywhere else in 1400 years since the inception of Islam. This is true also regarding the definition of non-Muslim given in Art 260(3) b. The rulers, politicians and the Mullahs have led the state of Pakistan into disunity, chaos and disbelief.
The western mind sometimes may do ask, why Ahmadis not simply fill in the form to avail of the voting right. The fact is that none who considers being a Muslim would ever dissociate himself from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) for a petty registration as a voter. It is funny to ask a human being to henceforth behave like an animal for the purposes of constitution and law and unless one does it he / she will not be provided any rights and or protected by the law. Ahmadi Muslims are no exception, as it is also not possible for them to do so in the light of their beliefs. Can one expect a Sunni Muslim in Iran to avail of voting rights at the cost of his Islam? Or, just imagine a member state of the European Union asking its Protestant citizens to avail of their voting rights through denial of Christianity and denunciation from Jesus. In fact, the Mullahs and the authorities in Pakistan are confident that Ahmadi Muslims will not register as voters under such inhuman preconditions, hence the description of the Form 2.
In conclusion the ‘free and fair elections’ claim made by the President Musharaf is empty of substance. Hence the empty slogan sounds like a joke to Ahmadi Muslim citizens of Pakistan and the right thinking people in the world. As for the freedom of religion, it is guaranteed to Ahmadi Muslims in Article 20 of the constitution of Pakistan and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which Pakistan is a signatory. State and non-State institutions and individuals who deny them these fundamental rights expose themselves to an open trial and judgment hence the blatant discrimination to millions of Pakistanis obliterating the voting right in February 2008 elections due to their religious beliefs being Ahmadi Muslims. Why no media or international hue and cry as there is no evidence to suggest that any of the human rights campaigners, organizations and or bodies including International Human Rights Lawyers Association, Asian Lawyers Association, Amnesty International and the Law Society has ever made any representation against such discrimination in the name of rule of law, democracy and independence of judiciary.