Published on May 29 2010 by Ali Khan - Reading

Islamic Terrorism?

Tens of millions of Muslims were left in grief yesterday as 93 members of their Community were buried after Friday’s horrific attacks in Lahore, Pakistan.  The Pakistani Taliban has already claimed responsibility for the targeted suicide attack on thousands of innocent worshippers during Friday Prayers at 2 Mosques belonging to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Lahore, Pakistan.

The Government of Pakistan will no doubt assure Western Governments & Human Rights Organisations across the world that they denounce all forms of terrorism and are doing all they can to catch the perpetrators.  After all, the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s motto is “Love for All, Hatred for None” and their message of peace & tolerance is well known and respected by Western Governments. 

However the persecution of this community and the regularly occurring murders of its followers are actually facilitated and condoned by the Constitution of the ‘Islamic’ Republic of Pakistan.

Under pressure from extremist Clerics, the Pakistan Constitution was amended in 1974 to declare us non-Muslim and under General Zia’s Ordinance XX in 1984 the Penal Code was amended to specifically target Ahmadi Muslims, making it a criminal offence to call themselves Muslims and practice Islam – an offence punishable by imprisonment and under the blasphemy law punishable by death.

It is these same radical, extremist Clerics who now stir up hatred and incite violence against the Ahmadi Community, with support from politicians and some elements of the Pakistani media.   The Pakistani Government must repeal these laws forthwith so that extremists have no backing of the State in such discrimination and attacks.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the leading Islamic organization to categorically reject terrorism in any form. Similarly, it is the only Islamic organization to endorse a separation of mosque and state.

Followers are instructed to protect the sanctity of both religion and government by becoming righteous souls as well as loyal citizens, following the true teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and abiding by the rules of the country they live in. Followers are taught against irrational interpretations of Quranic pronouncements and misapplications of Islamic law.  The Community champions the empowerment and education of women. Its members are among the most law-abiding, educated, and engaged Muslims in the world.

We implore Western Governments to fight for our rights in Pakistan, help us get these laws repealed and protect our people where they face persecution.  The progressive teachings of Ahmadi Muslims combat the “clash of civilizations” rhetoric, which extremists employ to encourage hatred of West and justification for terror.  Therefore the safety of Ahmadi Muslims safety is important for halting radical extremism and strengthening the ties between the Muslim world and the West.

 

Mr Ali Khan

Swindon, Wilts