CONDEMNATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST AHMADI: RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN PAKISTAN - Altaf Hussain
The ongoing attacks on Ahmadis and their places of worship across various cities in #Pakistan, including #Punjab, are deeply distressing and must be unequivocally condemned.
It appears that a new conspiracy has been orchestrated to incite religious hatred, with a systematic campaign targeting #Ahmadis. Their places of worship are being vandalized, their lives endangered, their women dishonored, and their properties destroyed.
My question is simple: If the Pakistani constitution and parliamentary laws have already declared Ahmadis as non-Muslims, preventing them from identifying as #Muslims on national identity cards, then why is there still a relentless effort to destroy their lives and properties? If they have been legally designated as non-Muslims and are not recognized as part of the Muslim community, then why continue to persecute them? Does this mean that some citizens will now be deprived of their very right to live simply because they are Ahmadis?
Who are these clerics preaching that Ahmadi places of worship should be burned down, that they should be killed? Nowhere in the teachings of #Islam—neither in the Quran nor in the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)—is such violence encouraged. These same clerics incite protests against the West, condemning nations like the U.S., U.K., and Germany for alleged immorality, yet they themselves frequently visit these countries under the guise of religious preaching.
Do Christians accept the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH)? Do Jews believe in his finality as a prophet? Do Hindus or Buddhists recognize him? They do not. Yet, do you burn #Christian homes and churches because of this? Do you accuse them of blasphemy and execute them? On the contrary, for education and employment, many Pakistanis willingly seek opportunities in these very Christian-majority countries, and our nation continuously requests aid from them.
I urge the public: Do not fall for the divisive rhetoric of extremist clerics. It is heartbreaking to see that Ahmadi places of worship are being attacked in various cities, including #Karachi. While they are peacefully praying, mobs are organizing protests, attacking them, and subjecting them to violence. When asked for the reason, the response is: "Why do they pray like us? Why do they bow and prostrate?"
If Ahmadis have been officially declared non-Muslims, then their religious practices should be of no concern to others. No one has the right to interfere in how they worship, nor does anyone have the authority to prevent them from praying or to damage their places of worship. Such acts are pure oppression, tyranny, and lawlessness. This behavior is not only un-Islamic but also a direct violation of divine justice.
Regardless of whether one is an Ahmadi, Parsi, Hindu, Christian, Jew, or follower of any other faith, it is Allah who has created them. And when Allah creates someone, He does not discriminate based on their form of worship. He provides sustenance, oxygen, children, and rewards for their efforts. #Allah does not promote hatred, prejudice, or religious discrimination.
The Holy Quran clearly states: "For you is your religion, and for me it is mine."
Furthermore, it commands: "There is no compulsion in religion."
This means that no one should be persecuted for their way of worship. Faith cannot be imposed by force, and religious coercion will never make someone a true believer. Those attacking Ahmadis, non-Muslims, and their places of worship are directly violating Allah’s commands.
Who is asking you to abandon your religion or adopt another? Remain firm in your faith and allow others the same freedom. I plead with you: Stop persecuting Ahmadis and other non-#Muslims based on religious differences. Stop attacking their homes, businesses, and places of worship.
Whether Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, or Ahmadi, no place of worship should ever be harmed.
#Pakistan has already lost half of its territory, and the remaining half is in critical condition. If religious extremism is not eradicated, the country will only descend further into chaos. For God's sake, let us respect humanity. A nation that does not uphold human dignity will eventually collapse, no matter how pious its people claim to be.
I appeal to all Pakistanis—Punjabis, Sindhis, #Baloch, #Pashtuns, and #Mohajirs—to ensure that no citizen is harmed simply because they belong to a different faith. #Ahmadis may be non-Muslims by legal definition, but they are still human beings. Respecting their places of worship is a sacred duty.
If you attack someone because they are Hindu, Christian, Jewish, or Ahmadi, and destroy their homes, properties, or places of worship, then in the eyes of God, you are an oppressor and a tyrant.
I call upon the people of #Karachi, #Hyderabad, and other cities in #Sindh: Protect all non-Muslims in your communities, along with their places of worship and properties.
ALTAF HUSSAIN.
122nd Intellectual Session on TikTok, March 12, 2025).
Pakistan has already lost half of its territory, and the remaining half is in critical condition. If religious extremism is not eradicated, the country will only descend further into chaos. For God's sake, let us respect humanity. A nation that does not uphold human dignity will eventually collapse, no matter how pious its people claim to be.
I appeal to all Pakistanis—Punjabis, Sindhis, #Baloch, #Pashtuns, and #Mohajirs—to ensure that no citizen is harmed simply because they belong to a different faith. #Ahmadis may be non-Muslims by legal definition, but they are still human beings. Respecting their places of worship is a sacred duty.
If you attack someone because they are Hindu, Christian, Jewish, or Ahmadi, and destroy their homes, properties, or places of worship, then in the eyes of God, you are an oppressor and a tyrant.
I call upon the people of #Karachi, #Hyderabad, and other cities in #Sindh: Protect all non-Muslims in your communities, along with their places of worship and properties.
ALTAF HUSSAIN.
122nd Intellectual Session on TikTok, March 12, 2025).
#Pakistan has already lost half of its territory, and the remaining half is in critical condition. If religious extremism is not eradicated, the country will only descend further into chaos. For God's sake, let us respect humanity. A nation that does not uphold human dignity will eventually collapse, no matter how pious its people claim to be.
I appeal to all Pakistanis—Punjabis, Sindhis, #Baloch, #Pashtuns, and #Mohajirs—to ensure that no citizen is harmed simply because they belong to a different faith. #Ahmadis may be non-Muslims by legal definition, but they are still human beings. Respecting their places of worship is a sacred duty.
If you attack someone because they are Hindu, Christian, Jewish, or Ahmadi, and destroy their homes, properties, or places of worship, then in the eyes of God, you are an oppressor and a tyrant.
I call upon the people of #Karachi, #Hyderabad, and other cities in #Sindh: Protect all non-Muslims in your communities, along with their places of worship and properties.
ALTAF HUSSAIN.
122nd Intellectual Session on TikTok, March 12, 2025).
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