VIOLENCE HAS NO PLACE IN ISLAM: AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY - USA

"Islam teaches and requires Muslims to be model law-abiding and peace-loving citizens, wherever, they live," Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | US Desk
Source: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA Press Release  | Silver Spring, MD
For Immediate Release: December 29, 2009

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community strongly condemns recent attempted attack on Northwest airliner

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community strongly condemns the attempted Northwest flight 253 attack. As Muslims who believe in the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community holds to the true Islamic teaching of peace and denounces any act that disturbs the peace of any society and the security of any community.

PEARLS OF PEACE - AHMADIYYA TIMES WISHES EVERYONE HAPPY NEW YEAR

Ahmadiyya Times thanks God for arranging through Sayed Sajid Ahmad the perfect new-year prayer. 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Pearls found...
Source & Credit: Sayed Sajid Ahmad | Fargo, ND


On May 24, 1908, some Hindu ladies came to visit the Promised Messiah, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani (1835-1908), peace be on him, and requested him to suggest them a prayer. Below is what he told them in Urdu. Translation follows the Urdu text.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and prosperous happy new year.

اے سچے اور واحد خدا ۔ اے کہ تو ساری مخلوق کا پیدا کرنے والا اور پالنے والا ہے اور سب کے حالات سے واقف ہے۔ تجھ سے کوئی بات پوشیدہ نہیں اور ہر ذرہ تیرے تصرف میں ہے۔ تو جو چاہے سو کر سکتا ہے۔ تو ہمیں گناہ اور بھرشٹ زندگی سے نکال کر سیدھا راستہ بتا۔ ایسا ہو کہ ہم تیری مرضی کے موافق ہو جاویں۔ بدیوں سے ہمیں بچا۔ بدیاں ہمارے اختیار میں نہیں ہیں۔ ہم چاہتی ہیں کہ یہ ہم سے دور ہو جائیں۔ ان کا تو آپ ہی  کوئی علاج فرما۔ ان کا دور کرنا ہماری طاقت سے دور ہے اور ایسا ہو کہ ہم تیری رضا کی راہوں پر چل کر ہمیشہ کی نجات اور سکھ کی وارث ہو جاویں اور کوئی دکھ ہمارے نزدیک نہ آوے۔ پہلے بد کرموں کے پھل سے بچا اور آئندہ نیک کرموں کی توفیق عطا  فرما۔

O the True and the Only God! O the One Who is the Creator and Nourisher of all the creatures, and is aware of their circumstances! Nothing is hidden from You, and every particle is in Your control. You can do whatever You desire to do. Pull us out of a life of wrongdoing and corruption, and show us the straight path. So be it that we become as You desire us to be. Save us from faulty deeds. Faulty deeds are not in our control. We wish that the undesirable habits leave us. You yourself treat them. It is beyond our power to get rid of them. And so be it that by treading on the path which wins your pleasure, we inherit eternal salvation and peace, and no distress come near us. Save us from the adverse effects of our previous faulty acts and provide us the opportunity to carry out pious deeds in the future.

(Malfuzat, May 24, 1908)

Read more about Mirza Ghulan Ahmad Qadiani, the Founder of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - AlIslam.org

YEARNING FOR JINNAH’S PAKISTAN, REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN

Jinnah had said:  ‘The tolerance and goodwill that the Emperor Akbar showed to all the non-Muslims is not of recent origin. It dates back to thirteen centuries ago when our Prophet not only by words but by deeds treated the Jews and Christians after he had conquered them with the utmost tolerance and regard and respect for their faith and beliefs’

Ahmadiyya Times | News Desk | Opinion
Source: PAKTEAHOUSE Blog | December 25, 2009
By Yasser Latif Hamdani

Pakistan Meant To Be A Secular State, Quaid-e-Azam Did Not Want An Islamic Republic, says Haji Adeel of ANP.

The big news making the headlines today is that Haji Adeel of ANP has spoken out against the Islamic character of the Pakistani state.  Coming out of an official Christmas celebration,  Haji Adeel said:

1.  Pakistan was meant to be a secular state for all people of Pakistan.

2.  Quaid-e-Azam Mahomed Ali Jinnah did not name Pakistan an Islamic Republic.  Pakistan should become the Republic of Pakistan.

3.  Quaid-e-Azam and Bacha Khan both believed in secularism.

4.   Denying Non-Muslims of Pakistan the right to become president or prime minister is discriminatory, wrong and against the basic principle of Pakistan.

Haji Adeel was right ofcourse and this is a point that has been driven home by us on PTH many times.   What is interesting is how other politicians reacted.

INDONESIA: ABUSE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM HURTS INDONESIA

...[R]eligious leaders need to consider the content of their theological teachings. Though all would swear that God is all powerful, some teachers inadvertently suggest that God needs his people to defend him whenever his name is defamed...

Ahmadiyya Times | News Desk | opinion
Source: Jakarta Post | December 30, 2009
By Muh Taufiqurrohman & Rebecca Lunnon

Religious freedom has been abused once more in Indonesia with the recent attack on Saint Albertus church in Bekasi. This sort of abuse against minority groups has been going on for years, yet the government and religious leaders have made little effort to address it.

In today’s civilized world, it is high time that the government and religious figures take concrete and substantial steps to stop the abuse of religious freedom in Indonesia. This not only requires legal amendments, but also a significant restructuring of the institutions responsible for overseeing religious matters and a transformation in the messages and values religious leaders foster in their communities.

To its credit, the nation has a Constitution that guarantees freedom of religion, expression and opinion, has ratified international conventions such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and has passed several laws to this effect (the 1999 Law on Human Rights, for instance). However, in an unacceptable oversight, legislation has not been amended to accord with constitutional changes or newly ratified conventions. There are several regulations that outright contradict the Constitution, most especially article 156a of the Criminal Code.

SHARIA SYSTEM CAN'T WORK IN NIGERIA, SAYS AHMADIYYA MUSLIM MISSIONER, DR. MOSHOOD FASHOLA

...[i]t would be unfair for a leader who stole billions of dollars, to cut the hand of a petty thief or ordered a prostitute to be stoned when they call these girls to the Government House.

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Int'l Desk
Source: PUNCH, Nigeria | December 30, 2009
By Sunday Aborisade, Akure

The Chief Missioner of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Moshood Fashola, has said that the Islamic legal system, Sharia cannot be used to administer any part of the country because the political leaders had not met the needs of the people.

Fashola stated this in Akure on Saturday at a news conference on the ninth National Atfal Ijtima, a three – day national children convention of the organization, which ended at the state capital on Sunday.

The Islamic cleric noted that the Muslim leaders of the latter days did not have a good understanding of Islam, hence their introduction of the Sharia system to administer the people could be easily faulted.

FORGOTTEN HEROES | PAKISTAN'S ECONOMIC GURU | MIRZA MUZAFFAR AHMAD

In our series, Forgotten Heroes, we present profiles of such personalities whose memories have fallen victims to hands of men bent upon miswriting the history. M.M. Ahmad is one of many such personalities. An entire generation grew up watching his signatures etched in the Pakistan's currency-bills. Countless will thank Shahid Javed Burki for preserving the history.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Desk | Profiles
Source: Dawn.com | Pakistan
By Shahid Javed Burki | August 6, 2002

MIRZA Muzaffar Ahmad — known mostly as MM [or, MM Ahmad] to his friends and admirers — died in a hospital in suburban Washington on July 22. He had been unwell for several months not because of any disease. He was just weighed down by age and by his concern for Pakistan, a country he dearly loved and to the service of which he devoted his entire and extremely productive life.

MM was born on February 28, 1913, in Qadian, India. He was educated first at Government College, Lahore, and later in Britain’s London and Oxford Universities. He joined the Indian Civil Service — the ICS — in 1939. The 1939 “batch” was the last one to be recruited by the British to the premier administrative service. By recruiting Indians to the ICS, the British aimed to “Indianize” the administrative structure that was regarded as the “steel frame” in their rule of India. This process of “Indianization” was disrupted by the Second World War. When it resumed after the war was over it took a different form since the ICS was opened to the personnel of other services.

The ICS was dissolved in 1947 when the British left India. Its members were invited to opt for service in one of the two successor states — to serve either in India, a predominantly Hindu country, or to go to Pakistan, a country carved out specifically for the Muslim citizens of British India. Eighty one ICS officers, including MM Ahmad, opted for service in Pakistan. Those who chose to come to Pakistan formed the core of a new central service initially called the Pakistan Administrative Service. Later, the PAS was rechristened as the Civil Service of Pakistan, the CSP.

THE MYTH OF THE RADICAL MUSLIM

...[I]t is clear from the facts present, that militancy and the radicalisation of our youth is becoming all too common among in the Islamic community.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Desk | Articles
Source: St. Louis Islam Examiner | December 12, 2009
By Basiyr Rodeny | St. Louis, MO

Five Muslim American men were recently arrested in Sarghoda Pakistan. The five men aged 19 to 25, from the suburbs of Washington D.C., made their way to Pakistan after family members reported them missing in November. According to FBI and Pakistani police reports, the young men travelled to Pakistan with the intention to join a militant group to fight in Afghanistan. It is further reported that the men had made contact with a mysterious militant in Pakistan. However upon their arrival they were unable to locate the contact. Pakistani police arrested them on Friday following a tip from one of the men's father who was visiting Sarghoda at the time when the men showed up at the family home.

Although we cannot hasten to judgement about this case, it is clear from the facts present, that militancy and the radicalisation of our youth is becoming all too common among in the Islamic community. Despite being a small voice in the community, some of our children have strayed away from the path of the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

INDIA: HEAD OF AHMADIYYA MUSLIM JAMA'AT CONCLUDES 118TH QADIAN ANNUAL CONVENTION

Nearly 20,000 people from 26 countries attend three day event. 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Desk | Int'l Desk
Press Release - Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, yesterday concluded the 118th Qadian Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) with a powerful address delivered via satellite link from the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London. During his address he spoke of how the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat was founded by the Promised Messiah, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in the seemingly remote town of Qadian in the late 19th Century and that through the blessings of God Almighty the Jamaat had now spread to 195 countries and despite the many obstacles placed in its path it had never taken a backward step.

His Holiness begun his address by referring to the promises of God Almighty to the Promised Messiah, that ‘I am with you’ and ‘I shall support you’. With the weight of such Divine support behind him the Promised Messiah fulfilled his duties to spread the true message of Islam from Qadian, in an age where means of communication were extremely limited. The message he spread was of peace, tolerance and respect. He was the true defender of Islam and the true defender of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

His Holiness continued that the Promised Messiah brought about a revolution in the world. It was neither a violent revolution, nor a worldly revolution but instead a spiritual revolution of goodness and loyalty. His only concern was that mankind become closer to its Creator.

1,200 GATHER FOR [AHMADIYYA] MUSLIM CONVENTION

"We are all very excited about our new offices and our new facility. We consider it a house of God, open to all. Everybody, even non-Muslims, can worship God in this facility."  Nasim Mahdi, Missionary In-charge, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - USA

Ahmadiyya Times | News Desk | Local
Source: The Sun | December 28, 2009
By Neil Nesperos for The Sun (San Bernardino)

CHINO [California] - Hundreds of Muslims this past weekend celebrated their annual convention at a new home.

About 1,200 members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the western United States attended the 24th Jalsa Salana, or annual convention, at the recently expanded and refurbished Baitul Hameed Mosque, 11941 Ramona Ave.

The new 12,000-square-foot facility - an administration building with a library, meeting rooms and a prayer hall - was more than prepared to handle the crowd.

"We're very happy that the mosque has reopened," said Hamid Rahman, a national vice president for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Naseem Mahdi, a missionary for the organization, agreed.

"We are all very excited about our new offices and our new facility," Mahdi said. "We consider it a house of God, open to all. Everybody, even non-Muslims, can worship God in this facility."

INDIA: 118TH AHMADIYYA JALSA SALANA [ANNUAL CONVENTION] CONCLUDED IN QADIAN

"The progress of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community cannot be stopped because of its true faith and believe in Islam." Hazrat Khaliftul Masih V

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Int'l Desk
Source: Punjab Newsline | December 29, 2009
By Maqbool Ahmad for Punjab Newsline   


QADIAN (India) - The three-days 118th International Jalsa Salana [Annual Convention] of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community concluded today in Qadian. Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, the Worldwide Spirtual Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community delivered the live concluding address from London through a satellite link by the Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International

Hadhrat Ahmad reminded the community about the significance of the gathering and that it is to spread the teachings of the founder of the Ahmadiyya community of universal love and brotherhood and peace through sincere efforts and fervent prayers.

INDIA: MORE THAN TWENTY THOUSAND ATTEND THE SECOND DAY OF AHMADIYYA MUSLIM ANNUAL CONVENTIONIN QADIAN

Speakers spoke on humanity, Love for mankind and praised jamaat’s efforts for the cause of poor and for communal harmony without any distinction of cast, creed or region. 

Ahmadiyya Times | staff News | Int'l Desk
Source: Punjab Newsline | December 28, 2009
By Maqbool Ahmad for Punjab News Line

QADIAN (India): More than 20 thousand Ahmadi Muslims, from some 26 countries of the world attended the second day of the Jalsa Salana [Annual Convention].

The session was presided by Chaudhary Hamidullah and Giani Gurbachan Singh Jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs attended the function.

Partap Singh Bajwa member parliament welcomed all delegates to his constituency. He expressed the regret of fianance minister Pranab Mukharjee who could not attend the Jalsa due to his sudden important assignment entrusted by the prime minister of India to resolve the Andhra crisis. In the second session Giyani Tanveer Ahmad spoke on the topic of and universal peace, followed by introductory speeches of some prominent delegates of the Jalsa Salana.

PAKISTAN: DR. ABDUS SALAM'S NOBLE PRIZE CERTIFICATE AT GOVT. COLLEGE UNIVERSITY, LAHORE

A large number of students daily get inspiration from the great achievement of Dr. Abdus Salam.  

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Pakistan
Source: The Nation, Pakistan
By The Nation | November 22, 2009

GCU houses Dr Salam's Nobel certificate

LAHORE - The Government College University has the honor of housing the original Noble Prize Certificate of Dr. Abdus Salam, the Pakistan’s only noble laureate.

Prof. Dr. Katepalli R. Sreenivasan, the Director of Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Italy, had gifted the original Nobel Prize Certificate of Dr. Abdus Salam to his alma mater, the Government College University Lahore.

Dr. Salam had received the Nobel Prize Certificate from King Carl XVI Gustav of Swede on Dec 10, 1979. The words written on the certificate are “for their contributions to the theory of the unified weak and electromagnetic interaction between elementary particles, including, inter-alia, the prediction of the weak neutral current.”

The certificate has been placed in GCU’s Library Museum, where around 4,000 letters written by renowned literary figures of Urdu are kept. A large number of students daily get inspiration from the great achievement of Dr. Abdus Salam.

Dr. Abdus Salam got education from the Government College from 1942 to 1946 before getting admission in the Cambridge University. Later, after the establishment of Pakistan, Dr. Abdus Salam taught at the Government College Lahore from 1951 to 1954.

Read original post here - The Nation, news

INDIA: THE 118TH AHMADIYYA MUSLIM JALSA SALANA [ANNUAL CONVENTION] UNDERWAY IN QADIAN

On the eve of the Jalsa, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Supreme Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in a live address from London through Jamaat’s own channel, advised the participants to spend the entire period in worship, piety and remembrance of Allah.

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Intn'l Desk
Source: Punjab Newsline | December 27, 2009
By MAQBOOL AHMED for Punjab Newslinme


QUADIAN (India): The three-day annual Jalsa Qadian started with its usual fervor. The 118th Jalsa Salana of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community started with flag hoisting ceremony followed by the community prayer and recitation of the Holy Quran.

The initial address was delivered by Maulna Mohammed Inaam Ghori, Chief Secretary of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in India, highlighting the importance of the Jalsa. It is God’s plan, the Jalsa is continuing uninterrupted since 118 years", He said.

The second speech was delivered by Dr. Saleh Mohammed Aladin, president, Anjuman Ahmadiyya. Dr. Aladin spoke on Existence of God. Quoting from the Holy Quran, he explained the alternation of night and day and the creation of heavenly bodies, there are signs for those who ponder into it and proved this in the light of astronomical evidences.

The third speech by Maulana Karemuddin Shahid, was about the life of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. HJazrat Ahamad established Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at as a reformist movement in Islam.

More than 20,000 devotes from all over India and abroad, including 5203 delegates from Pakistan, gathered in Qadian, in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, to participate in the three day long spiritual activities.

Each day starts with ‘Tahajud’ – a post midnight prayer continuing the upto the Fajar Namaz at dawn. The main Jalsa is divided into two sessions with a short interlude for afternoon prayers and ends in the evening again followed by further prayers. On the eve of the Jalsa, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Supreme Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in a live address from London through Jamaat’s own channel MTA, advised the participants to spend the entire period in worship, piety and remembrance of Allah.

In the second session, Mohammed Inaam Ghori, Chief Secretary of the community in India, spoke on the Life of Prophet Mohammed in the light of his relationship with Allah. This was followed by speech by Muneer Ahmad Khadim on the topic of Importance of Khilafat’

- Staff reporter

PAKISTAN: JAMAAT-E ISLAMI SUFFERING FROM DOLLAR-WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS?

Ahmadiyya Times picked up the following interesting perspective in a letter written to the editor of Daily Times by a curious reader. 

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | What's interesting
Source: Daily Times, Pakistan | Letter to the Editor

By Farhan Ali | December 27, 2009

The ‘go-go’ mantra

Sir: A few days ago, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) held a ‘Go America Go’ rally in Rawalpindi. JI chief Munawwar Hasan declared that the Jamaat would continue with its anti-US movement and promote anti-American sentiment all over the country. With due respect, I would like to ask the JI chief whether he remembers that his very own party was under the patronage of the Americans during the Afghan jihad back in the 80s? With American dollars stuffed in its coffers, the JI had a heyday. So why all this hypocritical nonsense now?

Is it because the US is not funding the JI anymore and the mullahs are having dollar-withdrawal symptoms?


Submitted (to Daily Times) by Farhan Ali - Via e-mail

Read here: The ‘go-go’ mantra

INDIA: AHMADIYYA MUSLIM ANNUAL CONVENTION [JALSA SALANA] WILL ENCOURAGE CONVERSIONS, NON-AHMADI MUSLIMS FEAR

Muslims from many parts of the state have protested against the Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, currently underway in Qadian, district Gurdaspur, from December 26 to 28, which according to them is a platform for converting Muslims. The Times of India.

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Int'l Desk
December 25, 2009

Qadian, India - Several sects of Muslims have voiced their concerns over the possibility of losing their followers to Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, The Times of India reported.

Led by a Shahi imam [mosque leader],  Muslims of various sects from all across the state joined hands on Friday and protested against the Jalsa Salana [Annual Convention] organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Qadian, India, which according to the protesters is a platform for converting Muslims to Ahmadiyya Muslims.

Following the Friday prayers in Ludhiana, India, some people gathered to stage protests against Jalsa Salana and delivered a letter to the deputy commissioner, and for the chief minister, Prakash Singh Badal.  Other protests were also organized to voice similar concerns in the Jama Mosques of several parts of the state.

According to the reports filed by The Time of India, the protesters demanded that the administration should force the event cancelled because the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community indulged in accepting other Muslims to their fold, which was not acceptable to them.



- Staff reporter.

CALIFORNIA, US: HUNDREDS OF FAITHFUL FROM AHMADIYYA BRANCH OF ISLAM GATHER IN CHINO FOR CONVENTION

“There’s a lot of interesting discourse on anything from the secular to the spiritual, mostly dealing with Islamic ideology, governance issues and giving back to the community.” Amjad Khan

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | California, USA
Source & Credit: California Public Radio
By Steven Cuevas | 89.3-FM KPCC | December 24, 2009

More than a thousand members of a little known branch of Islam are gathering this weekend in Chino. The annual retreat is a time for Ahmadiyya Muslims to reaffirm beliefs that some consider heretical.

Amjad Mahmood Khan says it’s definitely not easy being an Ahmadiyya Muslim. “They are the most persecuted Muslim community in the world. Pakistan declares this community as non-Muslim and any attempt by an Ahmadiyy to call themselves Muslim is an arrestable offense and they can be fined, imprisoned or put to death.”

Khan’s parents fled Pakistan more than 30 years ago — and like many other Ahmadiyya, they settled in Southern California. Khan is an attorney who works on asylum cases involving Ahmadiyy facing persecution in other countries. He’s also the organizer of this year’s West Coast Jalsa Salana in Chino.

“It’s an opportunity to improve one’s spirituality”, says Khan. “There’s a lot of interesting discourse on anything from the secular to the spiritual, mostly dealing with Islamic ideology, governance issues and giving back to the community.”

INDIA: THREE DAY AHMADIYYA MUSLIM JALSA SALANA [ANNUAL CONVENTION] STARTS IN QADIAN

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Int'l Desk
Source: Punjab Newsline
MAQBOOL AHMAD | 26 December 2009

QADIAN: The three days 118th Jalsa Salana will commence from today at Ahmadiyya Ground Qadian.

Mohammad Inaam Ghori Chief Secretary Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamat will inaugurate by hosting the Lawae-Ahmadiyyat and Dua The Jalsa proceeding will start at 10 A.M by recitation of Holy Quran.

5203 jalsa salana participants from Pakistan has already eached Qadian. Today SSP Batala visited the Ahmadiyya Headquarter Qadian and reviewed the Jalsa salana security measurements made by the Police District Batala.

Read here:  Three days Ahmadiyya Jalsa salana from today

PAKISTAN: SEEKING THE RETURN OF LOST IDENTITY, HOPE, PURPOSE

In his column of November 1, 2009, Ardeshir Cowasjee pleaded, titling his column as 'Bring back Jinnah's Pakistn.' Ahmadiyya Times picked up the same sentiment in the following letter written to the editor by a Daily Times reader.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Around the Net
Source & Credit: Daily Times, Pakistan | Letters to the Editor
By Col. (Rtd.) Riaz Jafri | Rawalpindi | December 24, 2009

Sir: With the Quaid’s birth day drawing nearer, I once again feel duty-bound to request that we restore the original motto of the Quaid in its true letter and spirit. The motto was: ‘Unity, Faith and Discipline’. Its official Urdu translation used to be ‘Ittehad, Yaqeen aur Tanzeem’. ‘Yaqeen’ was later changed into ‘Yaqeen-e-Muhkam’ and used to be illustrated by Liaquat Ali Khan’s raised clenched fist warning the Indians who had amassed their troops along our borders for the first time in 1951. Somehow not only has the order of the motto been altered now by relegating Unity (Ittehad) to the second place after Faith but also ‘Yaqeen’ or ‘Yaqeen-e-Muhkam’ has been Islamised into ‘Eemaan’ by the Islamist leaders to gain popularity. When asked by a student delegation in 1946, I distinctly remember the Quaid defining ‘Faith’ as, “Have faith in yourself. Have faith in your destiny — Pakistan. And have faith in Allah.” Where does ‘Eemaan’ come into it is beyond me. Let’s not forget that Quaid’s motto is for the entire nation, which also comprises of Hindus, Christians Sikhs, Parsees, Zoroastrians, and even the Jews — though very few. Are we not confining the motto to the Muslims only by introducing ‘Eemaan’ into it, or is it not meant anymore for the other communities living in Pakistan?

It is, therefore, the national and moral duty of the few living elders and the various factions of the Muslim League, each one of which claims to be the true heir of the Quaid’s Muslim League, to correct the situation. I request them all to come forward in the print and electronic media to do so, for no one has the right to change the Quaid’s motto.

Read here: Daily Times (Pakistan) Letters to the Editor

PAKISTAN: SPIRIT OF THE 1973 CONSTITUTION

Which devilish spirit does Gilani ‘vow’ to revive? asks Ardeshir Cowasjee. 

Ahmadiyya Times | Articles | Of the Recent Past
Source & Credits: Dawn.com | June, 2009
By Ardeshir Cowasjee | arfc@cyber.net.pk


A PROMINENT headline in this newspaper on June 25, 2009 informed us that our powerless prime minister, appointed by our power-charged president, “vows to revive the spirit of ’73 constitution”. His vehicle is the potentially everlasting committee formed to frame further amendments to restore the original Zulfikar Ali Bhutto constitution.

Now, where was young Yousuf Raza Gilani in 1973? He was not sitting in parliament when the ‘spirit’ of the constitution in question was well aired at its unveiling on Aug 14 of that year.

Does he recollect that the constitution was promulgated by a man who has the distinction of having been the first civilian martial law administrator; does he know that it was accepted by consensus, not unanimously as is often claimed? The majority of the members of that particular National Assembly were anxious to come up with a constitution, and any old constitution would do as it would be better than no constitution.

PAKISTAN: YEARNING FOR THE LOST IDENTITY, PURPOSE

In his column of November 1, 2009, Ardeshir Cowasjee pleaded, titling his column as 'Bring back Jinnah's Pakistn.' Ahmadiyya Times picked up the same sentiment in the following letter written to the editor by a Daily Times reader.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Around the Net
Source & Credit: Daily Times, Pakistan | Letters to the Editor
By Sharmeen Qasim | Lahore | December 24, 2009

Sir: Speaking to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said: “If we want to make this great state of Pakistan happy and prosperous we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor.”

Today, it can be seen that the rights of the poor are trampled upon and the country is being used by the rich as their fiefdom. Nothing of substance was done for the poor of this country, no proper land reforms were carried out, no poor-friendly economic policies were churned out and today the ever-rising inflation is taking its toll on the masses.

The Quaid also said, “You are free to go to your temples, mosques or any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state.” He had amply stated that in Pakistan there would be no room for discrimination on the basis of religion and sect as Pakistan was not to be a theocratic state. We blew to smithereens this advice as well. Consequently, apart from the growing religious militancy, as evident in the tribal areas, there exist laws on the statute books that endanger the minorities.

If we want this country to prosper, we have to get Quaid’s Pakistan back.

Read here: Quaid’s Pakistan

BRING BACK JINNAH'S PAKISTAN

To bring us back to Jinnah’s Pakistan, we must have a revolution — a revolution of the national mindset and a latter-day Ataturk to ensure that it is successful.

Ahmadiyya Times | Articles | Around the Net
Source & Credits: Dawn.com | Nov., 01, 2009
By Ardeshir Cowasjee | arfc@cyber.net.pk

Of late, amidst the murder and mayhem accompanied by an absence of government or any signs of governance, a group of citizens has been circulating an email message exhorting whoever to ‘bring back Jinnah’s Pakistan’.

Now, to bring back something that existed for a mere moment in the life of this nation is more than difficult at a time when the national mindset is what it is.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s Pakistan was denounced six months after his death when the Objectives Resolution was passed, negating the words he had so eloquently spoken to his constituent assembly on Aug 11 1947: ‘... You may belong to any religion or caste or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the state.’ Thus, willy-nilly, the state was made the custodian of religion.

In the early 1950s, the British writer Hector Bolitho was commissioned by the government to write an official biography of Jinnah. It was published in 1954. Such was the moral dishonesty and hypocrisy that had taken a firm hold and rooted itself in the country’s psyche that the ruling clique of the day perverted Jinnah’s words, and printed in the book was this version of the quoted sentence: ‘You may belong to any religion or caste or creed — that has nothing to do with the fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one state.’

GOT JIHAD? KILL, BABY, KILL..

Those who are slaughtering their way through the population claim to justify their killing of innocent civilians by saying that that our military has joined forces with the Americans and that this legitimises the attacks here – a twisting of logic that beggars belief

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Around the Net
Source & Credit: The News, Pakistan | Editorial

The Body Count | December 24, 2009

PAKISTAN - In the 213 days between April 1 and November 5, 106 policemen and 1,039 civilians were killed in suicide and IED attacks and 220 policemen and 2,309 civilians injured. The figures for the police are accurate, that for the civilians probably an under-reporting, but it is difficult to say by how much. In this period there were 51 suicide attacks and 325 attacks using improvised explosive devices.

Peshawar and Nowshera bore the brunt of the suicide bombings – 16 – with no other location even getting close to double figures. Likewise in Peshawar and Nowshera 40 policemen died and 37 were injured, and 303 civilians died with around 900 recorded as wounded – again probably an under-reporting. There are no reports of police or civilian casualties from Sindh and the war being fought is, for the moment, confined to upper Punjab, NWFP and the northeast of the country generally.

AHMADIYYA MUSLIM WEST COAST CONVENTION SET FOR THIS WEEKEND IN CHINO

 Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: The Press Enterprise

By David Olson | dolson@PE.com


More than 1,000 members of the Ahmadiyya branch of Islam are expected to gather in Chino Friday through Sunday for the denomination's annual West Coast convention.

The convention is at the Baitul Hameed Mosque, 11941 Ramona Ave., which was damaged by fire in 2003 and was repaired and expanded into a new 27,000-square-foot building that opened in August. About half the Ahmadi Muslims who attend the mosque are from Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The Ahmadiyya denomination was founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who declared himself the messiah. Ahmadis are considered heretics by some Muslims and face repression in some countries, including Pakistan, which bans them from declaring their faith publicly.

—David Olson, dolson@PE.com


Read here: Ahmadiyya west coast convention set for this weekend in Chino

PAKISTAN'S NEXT CROP OF TERRORISTS: CAN THEY BE STOPPED

Stuck in this quagmire of ideologies, we have forgotten some of the most crucial aspects of this war, including the fate of the internally displaced people, and in particular, the children.

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Around the Net
Source & Credit: Dawn.com Blog
By Sana Saleem | December 22, 2009

The path to redemption

The military offensive in South Waziristan has been deemed successful: speaking to the press, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced the completion of the South Waziristan offensive, and stated that the army will now focus on the Orakzai area. However, continued attacks on major cities and high security zones suggest that many fighters have fled the war zone and are being sheltered in cities across the country. The absence of a sound strategy to combat the infiltration of militants in otherwise peaceful areas is adding fuel to the fire.

As the army forges on, the chances of more fighters fleeing to cities becomes higher. It appears to be a vicious circle of collateral damage: every time the military vows success, it is met with deadlier and more well planned attacks in urban areas beyond the tribal belt that result in heavy civilian casualties. Meanwhile, the recruiting of militants continues everyday and more people are being won over with the ‘this is not our war’ line of reasoning.

Stuck in this quagmire of ideologies, we have forgotten some of the most crucial aspects of this war, including the fate of the internally displaced people, and in particular, the children.

FAITH & COMMON SENSE: THE SUMMARY AND ESSENCE OF AHMADIYYA MUSLIM FAITH

"No part of my doctrine is contrary to the commandments of Allah and His Messenger. If anyone thinks so, it must be due to his misunderstanding." Hazrat Ahmad of Qadian.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Excerpts
Source & Credit: www.alIslam.org
By Hazrat Mirza Ghula Ahmad

"The summary and essence of our faith is that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Our belief that we profess in this life and with which, through the favour of God Almighty, we shall pass on to the next life, is that our lord and master, Muhammad, the chosen one, peace be on him, is the Seal of the Prophets and best of Messengers, at whose hands the faith was perfected and the bounty was completed through which by treading the straight path, a person can reach God Almighty. We believe with absolute certainty that the Holy Quran is the last of the heavenly books and that not a word or vowel point of its laws and limits and commandments can be added to or subtracted from. No revelation can now be received from God which can have the effect of modifying or abrogating the commandments of the Holy Quran, or of changing any single one of its directions. Anyone who thinks otherwise is, according to us, not a believer, and is a heretic and kafir. We also believe that even the lowest stage of the straight path cannot become available to a person without following the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, let alone the higher stages of that path. We cannot attain to any stage of honour and perfection or of nearness to God except through the true and perfect following of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him. Whatever is bestowed upon us is by way of reflection and through the Holy Prophet "[Izalai Auhan, (Amritsar, Riyaz Hind Press 1308 A.H.); Now published in Ruhani Khazain (London, 1984), Vol. 3, pp. 69-70].

AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY - USA: A HISTORIC OVERVIEW OF THE WEST COAST JALSA SALANA

"In our First Jalsa in 1982, we heard Live Audio Message of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV, ^rh when he launched the blessed scheme of five new Mosques for USA." Anwer M. Khan

Qadian, India - The birthplace of the institution of Jalsa Salana

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | References
Source & Credit: Ahmadiyya Gazette | 1998
By Anwer Mahmood Khan | Updated 2009


1891 marks the year of the establishment of the institution of Jalsa Salana [annual convention] by the Holy Founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as of Qadian, India.  In the first gathering 75 people participated.  Now twelve decades later over 75 nations of the world organize Jalsa Salana, attended by millions of people.

1983 - The last Jalsa Salana in Rabwah, Pakistan

In the last Jalsa held in Rabwah, Pakistan, 183,000 people were in attendance.  After that year till now, Government of Pakistan does not give permission to hold Jalsa Salana.  The opponents  had thought that they have broken the backbone of this institution.  Hardly they know that the Divine plans cannot be frustrated by any or all of the human minds put together. As a result, every year now the scenes of the Rabwah and Qadian Jalsa Salana are being replicated in 75 countries of the world and new countries and locales are joining the institution each year.

1947 - The first Jalsa Salana in Dayton, OH

In USA, we have been successfully organizing these gatherings for the last 61 years.  In USA, the first Jalsa was held in 1947 in Dayton Ohio. Due to the sheer size of the continental United States, many Ahmedi Muslims living in the West Coast were not always able to participate in our National Jalsa Salana.  In order to address this situation, at the request of Jama’at Los Angeles, Maulana Ataullah Kaleem, then Amir Jam’at USA gave permission to hold the West Coast Jalsa Salana to Missionary Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir.  In 1982, the very first Jalsa Salana of West Coast was held at Masonic lodge in San Francisco. Interestingly enough, the number of attendees at this convention totaled 75.

Prior to 1990, these conventions were held at various rented facilities but since the establishment of Baitul Hameed Mosque, these gatherings have been held at the Mosque in the month of December.  The dates usually correspond to the dates of Qadian Jalsa Salana.  In this regard, it must be added that our beloved Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV made a gracious mention of our Jalsa Salana in one of his addresses to the audience of Jalsa Salana Qadian.

For the first time in 1993, Sahibzada M.M. Ahmad Sahib (Late) participated in our Jalsa Salana and delivered his historic speech on the topic of Zikr e Habib in the concluding session.  In one of our Jalsa, Maulana Nasim Mehdi Sahib also addressed the audience.

Anwer Mahmood Khan - Nazim Hazri, 2009

In our First Jalsa in 1982, we heard Live Audio Message of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV, when he launched the blessed scheme of five new Mosques for USA.  We always tried to follow the pattern of Jalsa Salana UK and in this regard we had been dedicating one day to invite dignitaries and government officials to join us in our Jalsa.  This had been carried out for almost a decade.  After the year 2003, we had to hold our Jalsa either in Silicon Valley area or at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona. 

This is the first time after seven year that we are able to organize our Jalsa at the rebuilt facilities in Chino.

Maximum attendance was 836 in the year 2006. By the grace of Allah, this year we have exceeded the registration figures of over 1100. 

May Allah bless our Jalsa Salana with His Grace and Mercy.  Aameen

----------------
Photo Credits:

1947 Jalsa Salana, Dayton, OH - American Ahmadiyya Muslim Community blog,

1983 Jalsa Salana, Rabwah, Pakistan - www.alislam.org

Jalsa Salana, Qadian, India - www.alislam.org

WEST COAST USA: MERCED MUSLIMS FIND A WELCOME DESPITE WAR

Abdur Raqeeb Wali, who teaches English to non-native speakers at Merced College and serves as a Muslim chaplain at Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, is one of many Muslims living in Merced County.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Desk | Profiles
Source & Credit: Merced Sun Star | Orig. pub. date: Dec. 12, 2007
By Victor A. Patton | vpatton@mercedsun-star.com


A framed poster depicting a crowd of Muslims praying around the Kaaba, a giant black cube located in the Islamic holy city of Mecca, graces Alhaj Abdur Raqeeb Wali's living room wall.

In 1973, the 75-year-old Wali was among more than 2.5 million Muslims who made the pilgrimage to Mecca to pray at the sacred Kaaba -- the object toward which all Muslims turn during prayer.

The event left a lasting impression. "Everyone was wearing the same white cloth," smiled Wali. "You couldn't distinguish a policeman from a president."

Wali, who teaches English to non-native speakers at Merced College and serves as a Muslim chaplain at Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, is one of many Muslims living in Merced County.

 --- # ---

While each local Muslim tells an individual story, besides their faith they all share one common feeling -- they are proud Mercedians.

Alhaj Abdur Raqeeb Wali

Alhaj Abdur Raqeeb Wali still gets a hearty laugh out of a post-9/11 experience on an airline flight -- one that a humorless person might consider anti-Muslim bias.

He was on a flight from Washington, D.C., to California and happened to be sitting next to an older woman who was curious about the red topi hat he was wearing on his head and his thick, silver beard. While the style of Wali's hat and beard are not exclusive to Muslims, the woman felt compelled to dig a little deeper into the identity of this rather odd-looking black fellow.

"She said, 'Do you mind if I ask you what is your religion?'" Wali recalled. "I said, 'I'm a Muslim, and she said 'Ahhhh!,'" said Wali, bursting into laughter, as he retold the story. "She almost jumped out of her chair, that poor lady."

For the next three or four hours, however, Wali and the woman talked about his life and Islam, and he was able to dismiss many of the myths the woman had held about Muslims. "When we reached our destination, she was pretty happy," Wali said.

PAKISTAN: VIOLENCE IN THE NAME OF RELIGION AND ITS IMPACT ON WOMEN: NEED TO ANALYSE, REVIEW DISCRIMINATORY LAWS STRESSED

Zia’s Islamisation was opted to narrow down the status of women in Pakistan.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Pakistan
Source & Credit: Daily Times | Dec. 10, 2009
By Daily Times Staff Reporter | Islamabad

Speakers at a seminar on Wednesday discussed the issues related to violence on women in the name of religion and stressed the need to analyse and review the laws and policies to give women due status.

They expressed these views at a seminar “Violence in the Name of Religion and its Impact on Women”, organised by National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) at a local hotel.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Director IA Rehman in his address focused on the impact of violence on the rights of women and non-Muslims in Pakistani society. He said Pakistani women had never been granted their fair share since 1960.

“Even the laws that are supposed to stop discrimination against women have had little impact because the Hudood (which outlaws extra-marital sex and rape outside of a valid marriage), Qisas (which calls for equal punishment for the crime committed) and Diyat (compensation payable to a victim’s legal heirs) Ordinances have not been repealed or amended,” Rehman said.

LOS ANGELES - USA: AHMADIYYA MUSLIMS TO HOLD ANNUAL CONVENTION

Many of the community's national office holders will be in attendance including the National Vice Presidents of the Community, and the newly appointed Missionary In-charge USA, Mr. Naseem Mahdi.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | West Coast USA
Source: Baitul Hameed Mosque & India Post News Service
By JS Bedi | December 21, 2009

LOS ANGELES (Baitul Hameed Mosque, Chino, CA): The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been holding its Annual Conventions, known as 'Jalsa Salana', in different parts of the world for over 100 years. This year marks the 24th Jalsa Salana West Coast, USA. Members from 11 chapters spanning from as far north as Seattle, Washington down through Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona will make the Journey to the Inland Empire, where for the first time in many years, the convention returns to the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino.

The event is set to begin on Friday, December 25 2009 and go on until Sunday, December 27, 2009.  Attendance is estimated to top 1000 this year, as members of the community from as far as Washington DC, Cleveland, Chicago, and even Canada are expected to attend. 

Many of the community's national office holders will be in attendance including the National Vice Presidents of the Community, and the newly appointed Missionary In-charge USA, Mr. Naseem Mahdi. Mr. Mahdi will address the audience on Sunday speaking about the Holy Prophet Muhammad and his service to Humankind.   

THE US STATE DEPARTMENT SLAMS PAKISTAN FOR MALTREATMENT OF MINORITIES

“The Ahmadiyya Community Continued to Face Governmental and Societal Discrimination and Legal Bars to the Practice of its Religious Beliefs” -  Report

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News| US Desk
Report released - October 26, 2009

Washington, DC - (Ahmadiyya Times Staff) The US Department of State issued its 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom which is critical of Pakistan along with a number of other countries that mistreat their religious minorities and encroach on religious freedom in the name of law and public order.

The report highlighted the mistreatment of Ahmadi Muslims along with other religious minorities in Pakistan.

“Societal discrimination against religious minorities was widespread, and societal violence against such groups occurred”, stated the annual report. “Non-governmental actors, including terrorist and extremist groups and individuals, targeted religious congregations.”

PAKISTAN: CALL TO AMEND BLASPHEMY LAWS

"[T]he blasphemy law [is] one of the most dangerous tools being used as an infringement on human rights in Pakistan..." I A Rehman, HRCP director

Ahmadiyya times | Staff News | Pakistan Desk
Source & Credit: The News | December 18, 2009
By The News Correspondent | Lahore

Speakers at the concluding event of the Week for Human Rights, organised by the Directorate of Human Rights, said the best way to practise optimum human rights was to condemn all kinds of physical, psychological and moral degradation.

The HRCP director, I A Rehman, said the blasphemy law was one of the most dangerous tools being used as an infringement on human rights in Pakistan and it needed to be repealed or made more particular, to avoid more disasters like the Gojra incident.

He said the state of human rights was governed by the attitude of the people, adding a society reflects the nature of laws it is governed by.

He stressed the need for more tolerance and the ability to reject violence against the downtrodden communities.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Punjab Regional Directorate of Human Rights director Arshad Mahmood Malik, Additional Inspector General Punjab Police Khalida Khurshid, Aurat Foundation director Nasreen Zahra, SAP-PK executive director Mohammad Tehseen and MPA Dr Samia Amjad.

Read here: CALL TO AMEND BLASPHEMY LAWS

PAKISTAN: CIVIL SOCIETY, MEDIA ASKED TO HELP REPEAL BLASPHEMY LAW

"In April 2001 an attempt was made by the Musharraf government to amend the procedures in the registration of blasphemy cases, but he quickly withdrew the new order upon vehement opposition from Islamic fundamentalists." Asian Human Rights Commission

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Pakistan Desk
Source & Credit: Dawn.Com |
By Dawn Reporter | December 10, 2009

ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: The former information minister and MNA Sherry Rehman on Wednesday offered to take the issue of repealing the blasphemy law to the Parliament but said she needs full and active support from the civil society and media.

However, she cautioned the civil society activists that they should not expect very strong support from the parliamentarians for repealing the law.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the commission on the Status of Women to commemorate the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, Sherry Rehman suggested to the commission to organise at least one or two days sensitisation workshop for the media representatives and educate them about the issues being faced by minority citizens and its implications on women in particular.

The Chairman of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, I. A. Rehman while speaking on the occasion said that the blasphemy law was against the basic norms of Islam as it was being used against other religions. He called for complete repeal of the law.

The Chairman of Council for Islamic Ideology Dr Khalid Masood advised the civil society to be realistic in their struggle and demand, and urged them to set such targets which are achievable. They should not take absolute position on very sensitive issues.

“Together with media they should go to the masses and convey to them that nothing was being dictated by external people”.

Read more: CIVIL SOCIETY, MEDIA ASKED TO HELP REPEAL BLASPHEMY LAW

VIOLENCE IN THE NAME OF RELIGION: PAKISTAN'S BLASPHEMY LAW "GAVE WAY TO INTOLERANCE"

"A well designed law can never be abused as frequently as the Blasphemy Law," Hina Jilani

Sherry Rehman

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Pakistan
Source & Credit: The News | December 10, 2009
By Myra Imran | Islamabad

Terming "Blasphemy Law" a weak legislation, participants of a seminar Wednesday said that it had always been used against minorities and had given way to intolerance in the society.

Organised by National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), the seminar titled "Violence in the name of religion and its implication on women," was attended by known scholars, human rights activists and civil society representatives.

The panelists included MNA Sherry Rehman, NCSW Chairperson Anis Haroon, Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairperson Dr Khalid Masood and human rights activist Hina Jilani. Dr. Fauzia Saeed moderated the event.

PAKISTAN: PERSECUTION OF AHMADI MUSLIMS CONTINUES | THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2009

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) will soon publish an annual report on Pakistan for 2009. The following excerpt is taken from the prepublication report.

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Intn'l Desk
Excerpts | Pakistan | Persecution of Ahmadi Muslims
Asian Human Rights Commission Report 2009

"Continuing discrimination and violence against Ahmadis: The second amendment of Pakistan’s Constitution (1974) adopts an exclusionary definition of Islam and declares Ahmadis a non-Muslim minority. Clause C (b) of Article 260 states that “‘non-Muslim’ means a person who is not a Muslim and includes a person belonging to the Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist or Parsi community, a person of the Qadiani group or Lahori group (who will call themselves ‘Ahmadis’ or by any other name), or a Baha’I, and a person belonging to any of the scheduled castes.

The Pakistan Penal Code also contains legal provisions that institutionalize explicit discrimination against the Ahmadi sect, including Section 298-C, which stipulates that “any person of the Quadiani group or the Lahori group (who call themselves ‘Ahmadis’ or by any other name), who directly or indirectly, poses himself as a Muslim, or calls, or refers to, his faith as Islam, or preaches or propagates his faith, or invites others to accept his faith, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, or in any manner whatsoever outrages the religious feelings of Muslims shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.” This provision stands in direct contradiction to the right to freedom of speech and religion enshrined in Articles 19 and 20of the Constitution. In March, fifteen men from Sillanwali tehsil, Sargodha district, Punjab province were booked under Section 298-C for attending a place of worship that resembles a mosque, thus for the “impersonation of Muslims”.

PAKISTAN: BLASPHEMY LAWS REMAIN IN EFFECT | THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2009

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) will soon publish an annual report on Pakistan for 2009. The following excerpt are taken from the prepublication report.

Four children, one adult arrested for blasphemy

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Intn'l Desk
Excerpts  | Pakistan | Blasphemy Laws
Asian Human Rights Commission Report 2009

"Despite vocal criticism at home and aboard, Pakistan’s infamous Blasphemy Laws remain in effect and charges of blasphemy are still punishable with the death penalty, while desecration of the Holy Quran carries a life sentence. The laws were a British colonial legacy introduced in 1885 to prohibit the instigation of religious hatred, and became part of Pakistan Penal Code as Section 295 in 1927. The provision granted equal protection to all religious groups, until General Zia ul Haq, in deference to demands made by radical Islamicists, introduced two new clauses (295-B and C) in 1982 and 1986 that specifically outlaw desecration of the Holy Quran and defilement of the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. The deliberate institutionalisation of the unequal status between Islam and non-Islamic religions opened the door for the perpetuation of religious intolerance by Islamic fundamentalists. According to data collected by the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), at least 964 persons were alleged under these anti-blasphemy clauses from 1986 to August 2009, while over 30 persons were killed extra-judicially by the angry mob or by individuals.

OSLO: AHMADIYYA MOSQUE GUARDS THREATENED

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Sources: Aftenposten, Oslo (Norwegian)
Credit: Islam in Europe

Five youth were stopped by the police after they threatened the guards at a newly opened mosque of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat community in Furuset (Alna district, Oslo), two nights in a row.

Witnesses say that the youth shouted they would kill the Muslims if they dare come out.  They also aimed green laser-lights at the guards.

Most recently, four young men (17, 17, 18 and 28) were stopped by a dog patrol from the Oslo police district at 9pm Saturday night.

All of them also got a strong warning from the police Friday evening, without apparently committing it to memory.

The youth are originally from Turkey.

FAITH AND COMMON SENSE: THE TRUE PURPOSE OF ADOPTING FAITH IS TO ACQUIRE CERTAINTY CONCERNING GOD

"The true purpose of adopting a faith is that one should acquire such certainty concerning God, Who is the fountainhead of salvation, as if one can see Him with one's eyes." [Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Promised Messiah]

Ahmadiyya Times | Articles | Faith & Common Sense
By Dr. Waseem A. Sayed, Chino Hills, CA

Does religion oppress women?  Does faith terrorize people? If religion has to do with God and if God is the Being Who created everything, including men and women, it would make sense to say, 'no, religion could not possibly teach oppression of women or terrorizing of God's creation.'.

The problem is that just like fission and fusion, atomic energy, another creation of God; God puts it to great use, but us humans, well there are those who, like God, do good with it and then there are others who have sinister things in mind.

I think a more important question for everyone to consider is: Does denying the existence of God somehow make one a lover of all things good and hater of all evil and so meek and gentle as to know naught but good?

I think not!  In the recent past we have had a grand display of what horrible things atheists are capable of. Well, just study the history of Communism and all the wonderful non-oppressive things these atheists were responsible for!

PAKISATN: CORRUPTION, NEGLIGENCE, PREFERENCE OF PERSONAL GAIN | THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2009

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) will soon publish an annual report on Pakistan for 2009. The following excerpt are taken from the prepublication report.

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Int'l Desk
Excerpts | Pakistan | General Conditions
Asian Human Rights Commission Report 2009


"..[T]he serious escalation of conflict between the State and militant Islamic forces, resulting in increased violence and terrorism in the country, accompanied by political wrangling and the continuing weakness of Pakistan’s civilian institutions and mechanisms of the rule of law, have given rise to one of the region and world’s most dangerous security and human rights situations. Added to this is the lack of effective leadership, as embattled President Zardari has been hanging on to power in the face of growing opposition, and the country has found itself facing dire economic circumstances."

EVALUATING REVEREND GRAHMS'S COMMENTS ON ISLAM

Reverend Franklin Graham correctly recognized that President Obama should wisely choose his words. It comes as a surprise as to why Reverend Graham was not careful in choosing his.

Ahmadiyya Times | Articles | Around the net
Source & Credit: Atlanta Muslim Examiner
By Qamar Ahmad | Atlanta, GA | Dec. 15, 2009

On Dec 11 2009, Reverend Franklin Graham, son of Reverend Billy Graham, in an interview with CNN host Campbell Brown made comments about Islam and Muslims. These comments are highlighted in Part 1 of this series. Following is a critique of the interview.

Reverend Franklin Graham correctly recognized that President Obama should wisely choose his words. It comes as a surprise as to why Reverend Graham was not careful in choosing his. While Rev. Graham loves people of Islam, he declares that Islam is violent and evil. One cannot abuse someone's loved ones and at the same time claim love for him or her!

The Holy Quran and The Holy Bible are unanimous in their rejection of spreading intolerance and passing judgement:

O ye who believe! let not one people deride another people, who may be better than they, nor let women deride other women, who may be better than they. And defame not your own people, nor call one another by bad names... [Quran: Chap 49, Verse 12]

PAKISTAN'S PERSECUTED MUSLIMS:

Amnesty International has repeatedly called for the abolition of Pakistan's laws that "effectively criminalize any exercise of the right to freedom of religion by Ahmadis." 

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | Canada Desk
Source & Credit: The Kingston Whig Standard | Editorial
By Geoffrey P. Johnston | December 18, 2009

Now that the ice and snow are upon us, many Kingstonians are out in the cold, enjoying the skating rink at Market Square or hitting the local cross-country ski trails for a winter workout. Others, however, dream of the warmth and sunshine of Canada's all-too-brief summer -- a season that allows those living in the Limestone City to demonstrate their respect for other cultures and religions.

For example, if you regularly visit Rotary Park during summer, you may encounter a Christian youth group enjoying a picnic. Other times, you will see Muslims praying toward Mecca before tucking into a barbecued meal. Such scenes of religious diversity make Canada attractive to so many newcomers.

Contrary to overblown allegations of Islamophobia, Canada respects the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of religion, belief or conscience. And Canada consistently ranks at or near the top of the annual international survey of religious freedom conducted by Freedom House, a U. S.-based think tank.

ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY: MARY'S PIETY A POTENT FORCE FOR UNITING PEOPLE

A Jewish woman who Christian’s and Muslim’s revere and adore, Mary is also an embodiment of the potential for interreligious harmony. Perhaps only the great patriarch Abraham enjoys a similar position.

Ahmadiyya Times | Articles | Around the Net
Source & Credit: Finger Lakes Times | December 18, 2009
Sardar Anees Ahmad | Waterloo, New York

December marks a traditional rise in dialogue between Muslims and Christians regarding their understanding of the office of Jesus Christ. The discussions are enjoyable, often fruitful, but I am surprised that these discussions afford far less attention to Mary, mother of Jesus.

Readers may be surprised to learn that Islam presents a most virtuous picture of Mary. Of the twenty-eight times the Qur’an mentions Jesus, more than half describe him as “Jesus, Son of Mary” – in effect identifying Jesus with the individual who had the most impact on his life. The Qur’an (4:157) records God’s unique and jealous attachment to Mary, noting that Mary’s enemies were cursed for uttering a calumny against her. The Qur’an (19:20-23) also confirms the miracle of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is mentioned more times in the Qur’an than in the Bible, a chapter of which bears her name (Chapter 19). The Islamic view of Mary can be summed up in one Qur’anic verse: “And remember when the angels said, ‘O Mary, Allah has chosen thee and purified thee and chosen thee above all women of all peoples’” (3:43).

But why is Mary treated with reverence, and what relevance does she hold for today? The Qur’an (66:13) presents Mary as a model to emulate. In doing so, the Qur’an places her amongst elite company – the prophets of God, the wives of Prophet Muhammad, and Aasiya, wife of Pharaoh. Furthermore, Mary’s birth holds great import in regards to gender equality issues. The Qur’an (3:36-37) notes that Mary’s mother wished for a child to devote to God’s service but became dismayed when she learned she was bestowed with a daughter.  Mary’s mother was told, “The male she desired to have was not like the female she was delivered” (3:37). Mary’s birth, therefore, is a sweeping confirmation of Islam’s belief in the equality of sexes. Righteousness, not gender, dictates superiority.

RESPECTING RELIGIOUS FEELINGS AND FREEDOM | TIMES OF MALTA

Practicing the faith of one's own choice is a fundamental human right and we cannot exclude the wearing or display of religious symbols from this fundamental human right.


Ahmadiyya Times | Articles | Intn'l Desk
Source & credit: Times of Malta | December 18, 2009
By Laiq Ahmed Atif, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta, Ta' Xbiex


Freedom is a prerogative of all living things, man being no exception. Liberty is the most cherished fruit of life.

Man is the epitome of liberty which is ingrained in him. His very texture is woven with the yarn of liberty.

And man enjoys at most, his freedom of faith, because every human being has this right to choose and practice a religion of his own choice. All the main religions of the world believe in freedom of faith. The Holy Quran makes it absolutely clear that "there is no compulsion in religion" (2:257). As long as that principle is adhered to, harmony, love and peace will be maintained in the society.

Yet, amazingly, we find all man-made institutions shaped to work against the liberty of man in the final analysis. A careful study of the history of progressive growth of traditions, customs and legislation is sufficient to prove this assertion.

INDONESIA: AHMADIYYA MUSLIMS PERSECUTED, REPORTS CNN

Intan Nurhati was on her way to the gathering in Parung, West Java province, from the capital Jakarta with a member of the Indonesian Parliament when the attack happened.  (CNN)

Ahmadiyya Times | News Desk | December 18, 2009
Source & Credit: CNN | By Richard Allen Greene

Vast majority of the world faces restrictions on religion, study finds | CNN
By Richard Allen Greene | December 17, 2009

(CNN) -- Intan Suci Nurhati was on her way to a religious gathering when her sisters called to say they were under attack.

"They were running for their safety as they called," she said. "When I heard, I realized how far it was to the main compound, and I was like, 'Oh, my God.' "

Nurhati and her family are members of a Muslim minority sect called the Ahmadi, who hold annual gatherings in each country where they have a community. It was in July 2005 that the Indonesian gathering came under attack by -- Nurhati estimates -- 10,000 people throwing stones.

The protesters outnumbered the Ahmadi by 100 to 1.

Nurhati was on her way to the gathering in Parung, West Java province, from the capital Jakarta with a member of the Indonesian Parliament when the attack happened.

ISLAMIC VEIL: BOTH EXTREMES ARE WRONG

Ultimately, it is each Muslim woman’s individual right and responsibility to follow God’s commandments.  Others must remember that God says in Chapter 2 of the Quran “There should be no compulsion in religion.” 

Ahmadiyya Times | Article | Religion
From Portland Islam Examiner | Orig. Pub.: September 3, 2009
Harris Zafar | Portland, OR

The Islamic veil has been the source of many debates over the years. And this debate was re-ignited this summer here in Oregon when Gov. Ted Kulongoski passed the Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act (Senate Bill 786).  Although the bill has value, the problem is that it upholds a public school teacher exception – that has been in existence since the 1920s – that forbids teachers from wearing "religious clothing".  This means Muslim women legally cannot cover their heads if they want to teach in a public school in Oregon.  This has re-invigorated the classic Muslim veil debate.

A virtual tug-of-war has ensued from extremists on opposite sides of this debate, and Muslim women are being used as the rope.  Caught in the middle, they are told what to do, how to act and what to wear.  Extremists from both sides claim to know what is best for them, while neither side really listens to what those women want.

On one side you have extremist Muslim men and governments who insist to cover women from head to toe at all cost.  This is how the notion of oppression was born.  On the other side you have European governments and other western groups who insist that Muslim women should not wear any covering and go to great lengths to remove their headscarves and veils, whether they like it or not.  They forget that the Christian faith prescribes headscarves as well, which is why Michelle Obama had to cover her head when meeting the Pope.

CHINO IMAM INVITES REV. FRANKLIN GRAHAM TO UNDERSTAND TRUE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM

...[I]t is vital for people to hear about the moderate and rational side of Islam, on whatever the subject is concerning what Islam does and does not teach. Imam Shamsahd

Ahmadiyya Times | Staff News | US Desk
December 16, 2009 - (Chino, CA - USA)

Imam Shamshad of the Baitul Hameed Mosque responded on his weekly AM radio segment “Understanding Islam” to attacks against Islam on CNN by Christian Evangelist, Rev, Franklin Graham.

On Tuesday, Dec. 15th, in his weekly KCAA Radio 1050-AM segment, Imam Shamshad of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and Imam of the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino responded to the attacks on Islam made by Rev. Graham by telling the Reverend to “Read his own Bible” and to stop making these offensive comments about the religion of Islam that are completely untrue.

Imam Shamshad responded to the allegation made by the Reverend that true Islam cannot be practiced in this country since you can’t beat your wife.  Imam Shamshad quoted a saying of the Prophet Muhammad that says “The best among you is he who treats his wife the best.”  The Imam also called on his fellow Muslims to adhere to the teachings of Islam and to not abuse one’s wife or children.