The recent statement of the opposition leader Mr. Nawaz Sharif proclaiming Ahmedis as his brothers and sisters has created a furor in the political and religious circles of Pakistan. Mr. Sharif is also the head of the second largest political party in Pakistan; Pakistan Muslim League – N. Such an assertion was made in wake of the horrendous attack on their community. Islamic militants literally butchered them by spraying bullets at close range while they were praying at their place of worship. Ninety five people died instantly while scores were injured. Although there has always been a deep loathing and hatred of this sect; however this was the worst ever massacre. The response of the Islamic parties was sickening. Nawaz Sharif came under scathing criticism for sympathizing with this downtrodden class. Maulana Ilyas Chinauti the head of movement of the finality of Prophet Muhammad had this to say:
“Ahmedis are traitors and they deserve no sympathy whatsoever. Nawaz Sharif is trying to please the US by showing sympathy for Ahmedis.”
Mr. Fareed Paracha; a leader of Jamat-e-Islami the oldest Islamic party declared:
“It was unfortunate that the PML-N had started toeing the line of the US. Paracha said Ahmedis could never be “brothers or friends” of Muslims and a “true Muslim must not develop any relation with Ahmedis.”
Islamic parties were in the forefront to protest violently against the opening of an insignificant competition of drawing Muhammad’s caricatures on facebook. On the contrary not a drop of tear was shed when so many innocent lives were lost. In fact Ahmedis have been accused of orchestrating this event themselves to gain support from different quarters. This is the height of apathy. Such xenophobic behavior can only be expected in an extremely religious society. This occurrence has once again proved that intolerance against this tiny community has now reached an alarming proportion. They have been ghettoized and live in constant fear. Their condition is almost similar to that of the Jews in Europe before the Second World War To the fanatics they are considered worse than Jews and Christians and must be put down through force.
Pakistan has a history of persecution of its minorities. Ironically the founding father of Pakistan; Muhammad Ali Jinnah believed in having a secular identity for this country. His vision of Pakistan was a homeland for Muslims where all minorities should be free to exercise their respective religions with out any fear or coercion. Unfortunately the clergy were gradually able to gain a foothold. They were the very same people who had actually opposed the creation of Pakistan.
The most famous Pakistani Ahmedi was Dr. Abdus Salam. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics and was the first scientist to have received such an honor in the Muslim world. Dr Salam was a visionary who wanted to contribute to the well being of the future generations. However the government prohibited him from setting up a centre of excellence of Physics in Pakistan. Disappointed and dejected by the reaction of the local authorities, he established this facility in Italy where it exists till to date. Pakistani students have been denied to benefit from this world class facility just because of the bigotry of our regime. The word “Muslim” was also erased from the tombstone of his grave in presence of a magistrate. Upon his death there were no eulogies or words of appreciation in the local media even though he was a world renowned figure who had brought laurels for his country. His only fault was that he was an Ahmedi.
Anti-ahmedi sentiment has been prevalent in the society since the birth of Pakistan. However it reached its zenith in late 70s when they were officially declared Non-Muslims by the Bhutto government to appease the religious parties. Later during the Zia era specific laws were enacted to target religious minorities. In 1984, General Zia-ul Haq, promulgated Martial Law Ordinance XX branding Ahmedis as criminals liable to fine and imprisonment if they practiced their belief in Islam, used Islamic terms or posed as Muslims. The punishment is up to 3 year in jail and a fine. These particular edicts have denied Ahmedis even their fundamental right to practice their religion.
A foundational belief of Islam is that Muhammad was the last Prophet. Ahmedis have been excommunicated from the fold of Islam because they do not believe in the finality of the Prophet Muhammad. The Ahmedis are the followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmed (1839-1908). Accepting him as the prophet, Ahmedis reject the notion of finality of Prophet Muhammad and due to this difference have become separate from the main body of Islam.
Due to the sustained and unrelenting campaign of the clergy, prejudice against this small community has spread even among the general public on a mass scale. Recently a very famous TV anchor was caught on tape literally abusing them. Last year a televangelist inflamed the passion of his audience by announcing that Ahmedis should be killed. Consequently after watching his program two Ahmedi doctors were shot dead. That preacher was never reprimanded despite this horrendous tragedy. His program continues till today and his zeal for inciting his viewers has not abated.
One of the main purposes of a country’s constitution is to protect the majority from terrorizing against minorities. However our constitution in its current form has failed to fulfill this purpose. International Human Rights organizations such as Amnesty International have severely criticized our various governments for these discriminating laws. The current democratic government of Pakistan’s People party needs to take a bold stand and work for repeal of these dreadful laws. This will not remove the deep rooted hatred of the Ahmedi community among the general public but will certainly bring down institutional persecution. This will be the first small step in the right direction.
