In late 1970’s, after the fall of East Pakistan, the Pakistani educational system began to implement the Islamisation project based on the literalist interpretation of Islam practiced by a very small percentage of the Muslim population. Jamat-e-Islami and other religious political parties championed the Islamisation project.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Opinion
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune
By Dr.Shams Hamid | 29 June 2010
Recently released, the Brookings Institute report claims that the real cause of militancy in Pakistan is the public education system, and not religious schools (madrssas) because the majority of Pakistani students attend public school whereas only ten per cent attend madrassas. It states that Pakistani public schools disseminate militancy, hatred, jihad and distort history.
Until 1970, despite bureaucratic and military dictatorships, the Pakistani educational curriculum and textbooks, for example, had included the history of the Maurya and Gupta dynasties of the sub-continent conforming to the secular ideals of Pakistan clearly expressed by Mohammad Ali Jinnah in his speech to the constituent Assembly on 11th August 1947.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Indonesia Legislator: FPI has the military backing
On Monday, a caucus consisting House legislators from various parties
said that the government, TNI and Home Affairs Ministry were responsible
for the birth of the FPI and demanded President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono to exercise his authority and dissolve the group.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | June 30, 2010
By Hans David Tampubolon and Bagus BT Saragih
The police are reluctant to get tough with the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI) group because of its ties to the Indonesian Military (TNI), a legislator says.
“There is information saying the FPI is a pet of the TNI, and the police hesitate to deal face-to-face with the military, because police consider the armed forces their elder brother,” said Eva Kusuma Sundari, an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician.
She added the FPI was originally established to accommodate the interests of hard-line Muslim groups that had suffered from oppression by the government during the New Order era.
Source & Credit: The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | June 30, 2010
By Hans David Tampubolon and Bagus BT Saragih
The police are reluctant to get tough with the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI) group because of its ties to the Indonesian Military (TNI), a legislator says.
“There is information saying the FPI is a pet of the TNI, and the police hesitate to deal face-to-face with the military, because police consider the armed forces their elder brother,” said Eva Kusuma Sundari, an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician.
She added the FPI was originally established to accommodate the interests of hard-line Muslim groups that had suffered from oppression by the government during the New Order era.
Pakistan: Since the Second Amendment
In contrast, the Ahmadis supported the creation of Pakistan and
respected Jinnah. At his request, the head of the community at the time,
Mirza Bashir-ud-din Mahmood, the son of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, directed
all Ahmadis to vote for the Muslim League in the crucial 1946 elections,
even declaring that anyone who did not vote for the Muslim League
candidate would be considered an outcast.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Opinion
Source & Credit: Himal | Bouthasian
By Husain Naqi | July 2010
The massacres at two Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore is the result of anti-Ahmadi sentiment fanned by religious extremists and allowed by a compromised state and the silent support of political parties.
The 28 May mayhem at two Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore brought into sharp focus the agenda of extremist Islamic groups against Pakistan’s religious minorities. It also exposed the political opportunism of the government, especially in Punjab province. The civil administration’s complacency, despite being tipped off about the entry of extremists aligned with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) into the province, also lays bare its failure to deal sternly with easily identifiable perpetrators and their patrons amongst banned sectarian outfits. In late May, this complacency resulted in the loss of 94 lives and over a hundred injured.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Opinion
Source & Credit: Himal | Bouthasian
By Husain Naqi | July 2010
The massacres at two Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore is the result of anti-Ahmadi sentiment fanned by religious extremists and allowed by a compromised state and the silent support of political parties.
The 28 May mayhem at two Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore brought into sharp focus the agenda of extremist Islamic groups against Pakistan’s religious minorities. It also exposed the political opportunism of the government, especially in Punjab province. The civil administration’s complacency, despite being tipped off about the entry of extremists aligned with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) into the province, also lays bare its failure to deal sternly with easily identifiable perpetrators and their patrons amongst banned sectarian outfits. In late May, this complacency resulted in the loss of 94 lives and over a hundred injured.
Pakistan: Militants threat witnesses, police, judges to be silent in Pakistan
"Now in some cases, judges' names are kept secret and they hear the case
proceeding in jail with covered faces to avoid any recognition by the
accused."
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: People's Daily | Online
By Xinhua | Juen29, 2010
Militants groups in Pakistan are being proven so strong that they manage the acquittal of their colleagues from cases and proceedings against them in courts by threatening the families of judges, witnesses and police officers, local media reported on Tuesday.
According to reports, hundreds of militants have been successfully released from jails due to non-availability of witnesses and proofs enough to sentence them according to law.
Source & Credit: People's Daily | Online
By Xinhua | Juen29, 2010
Militants groups in Pakistan are being proven so strong that they manage the acquittal of their colleagues from cases and proceedings against them in courts by threatening the families of judges, witnesses and police officers, local media reported on Tuesday.
According to reports, hundreds of militants have been successfully released from jails due to non-availability of witnesses and proofs enough to sentence them according to law.
Faith and common sense: Pakistan's blasphemy laws need reforming
Human rights groups have routinely documented how anti-blasphemy
legislation has been exploited by some members of Pakistan’s Sunni
majority to justify censorship, settle personal vendettas and even
effect land grabs – with Muslims accusing non-Muslim land owners of
blasphemy.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Opinion
Source & Credit: CGNews
By Huma Yusuf | 29 June 2010
Karachi, Pakistan - Sadly, the recent violence against the Ahmadi community, which left 80 worshippers dead at an Ahmadi mosque in Lahore, is not a new phenomenon. Religious minorities in Pakistan – particularly Ahmadis, Christians, Shi’ites and Hindus – have been increasingly persecuted in Pakistan in recent decades. Their rights are routinely violated on the premise that they are non-Muslims and therefore second-class citizens.
According to its constitution, Pakistan’s government and any changes to the constitution must comply with Islamic tenets.
Source & Credit: CGNews
By Huma Yusuf | 29 June 2010
Karachi, Pakistan - Sadly, the recent violence against the Ahmadi community, which left 80 worshippers dead at an Ahmadi mosque in Lahore, is not a new phenomenon. Religious minorities in Pakistan – particularly Ahmadis, Christians, Shi’ites and Hindus – have been increasingly persecuted in Pakistan in recent decades. Their rights are routinely violated on the premise that they are non-Muslims and therefore second-class citizens.
According to its constitution, Pakistan’s government and any changes to the constitution must comply with Islamic tenets.
Pakistan: Parliament proposes code of conduct for media
The committee suggested that violators of the code be punished with a
fine of up to 10 million rupees and imprisonment of up to three years
for repeated violations.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit:The Express Tribune
By AFP | Express | June 30 2010
Parliamentarians proposed a code of conduct for Pakistan’s electronic media to restrict their graphic coverage of terror attacks, on Wednesday.
According to Presidential spokeswoman Farahnaz Isphani, the code is not an attempt to control the media and that it will similar to one ‘practised all over the world’.
She also said that the new rules had been listed in a report by the committee that would become a bill in parliament’s next session, in August.
Source & Credit:The Express Tribune
By AFP | Express | June 30 2010
Parliamentarians proposed a code of conduct for Pakistan’s electronic media to restrict their graphic coverage of terror attacks, on Wednesday.
According to Presidential spokeswoman Farahnaz Isphani, the code is not an attempt to control the media and that it will similar to one ‘practised all over the world’.
She also said that the new rules had been listed in a report by the committee that would become a bill in parliament’s next session, in August.
Faith & Loyalty: Full slate of events for Canada's birthday
Calgary’s Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at community will host a flag ceremony
and free barbecue at Prairie Winds Park in the city’s northeast at 11
a.m.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | US Desk
Source & Credit: Calgary Sun | Canada
By Jenna McMurray | June 27, 2010
Happy birthday, eh?
Tens of thousands of Calgarians are expected to celebrate Canada’s 143rd birthday Thursday at events all around the city.
Stephanie Barnett, City of Calgary event coordinator, said approximately 80,000 people are expected to enjoy the free festivities from noon until 6 p.m. at Prince’s Island Park, and up to 20,000 will gather at Olympic Plaza in the evening for more performances and fireworks.
“We always strive to bring in acts that are both local and regional,” she said.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | US Desk
Source & Credit: Calgary Sun | Canada
By Jenna McMurray | June 27, 2010
Happy birthday, eh?
Tens of thousands of Calgarians are expected to celebrate Canada’s 143rd birthday Thursday at events all around the city.
Stephanie Barnett, City of Calgary event coordinator, said approximately 80,000 people are expected to enjoy the free festivities from noon until 6 p.m. at Prince’s Island Park, and up to 20,000 will gather at Olympic Plaza in the evening for more performances and fireworks.
“We always strive to bring in acts that are both local and regional,” she said.
Pakistan: Anti-Internet demonstrations organized by banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah across Punjab
In Lahore, processions were taken out on Bedian Road and Ferozepur Road.
Senior Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) leaders, Pakistan People's Party
parliamentarian Tariq Shabbir and others addressed the protesters.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: Zee News
By PTI | June 29, 2010
Lahore: Several religious groups joined demonstrations organised by the Jamaat-ud-Dawah across Pakistan's Punjab province on Monday to protest the incorrect translation of the Quran and posting of blasphemous cartoons on the internet.
In Lahore, processions were taken out on Bedian Road and Ferozepur Road. Senior Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) leaders, Pakistan People's Party parliamentarian Tariq Shabbir and others addressed the protesters.
The protesters shouted slogans against Israel and other countries and burnt their flags. JuD leader Hafiz Saifullah Mansoor said the government should immediately ban popular social networking website Facebook, Youtube and other sites for committing "blasphemy".
Source & Credit: Zee News
By PTI | June 29, 2010
Lahore: Several religious groups joined demonstrations organised by the Jamaat-ud-Dawah across Pakistan's Punjab province on Monday to protest the incorrect translation of the Quran and posting of blasphemous cartoons on the internet.
In Lahore, processions were taken out on Bedian Road and Ferozepur Road. Senior Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) leaders, Pakistan People's Party parliamentarian Tariq Shabbir and others addressed the protesters.
The protesters shouted slogans against Israel and other countries and burnt their flags. JuD leader Hafiz Saifullah Mansoor said the government should immediately ban popular social networking website Facebook, Youtube and other sites for committing "blasphemy".
Ghana: Ahmadiyya women hold conference
Mrs Bonsu said the annual conferences were organised for members to reflect on the teachings and the practices of the prophet Mohammed, so as to strengthen them in all other endeavours.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: Ghana News Agency
By GNA | June 28, 2010
Accra, June 28, GNA - Mrs Hajara Ali, former president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Association (AMWA), Ghana, said at the weekend that it was important for all Muslims, especially Ahmadi's, to acquire knowledge that would make an impact on society.
Mrs Ali said to create an impact on societal development, the Muslim woman should have the desire to seek for knowledge and the passion to serve mankind as stated in the Holy Quran.
"The best charity on the part of a Muslim woman is to acquire knowledge and to impact it on others in the society" she noted.
Source & Credit: Ghana News Agency
By GNA | June 28, 2010
Accra, June 28, GNA - Mrs Hajara Ali, former president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Association (AMWA), Ghana, said at the weekend that it was important for all Muslims, especially Ahmadi's, to acquire knowledge that would make an impact on society.
Mrs Ali said to create an impact on societal development, the Muslim woman should have the desire to seek for knowledge and the passion to serve mankind as stated in the Holy Quran.
"The best charity on the part of a Muslim woman is to acquire knowledge and to impact it on others in the society" she noted.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Ghana: Students of Ekumfi T.I. Ahmadiyya now sleeping in classrooms, with permission
The children urged the Assembly to take up the accommodation problem at
the Ekumfi Ahmadiyya Senior High School as a matter of urgency as
admission of new students in September would aggravate the situation.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit:Peace FM |Online
By GNA | Ghana | June 28, 2010
The authorities of the Ekumfi T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School at Essarkyir in the Mfantseman Municipality have converted some classrooms into dormitories because of insufficient dormitory facilities.
Some students of the school told officials of the Municipal assembly at a durbar with school children at Saltpond.
The children, selected from schools supported by Plan Ghana, a child centred Community Development Organisation, used the encounter to find out about plans the Assembly had towards improving their welfare.
Source & Credit:Peace FM |Online
By GNA | Ghana | June 28, 2010
The authorities of the Ekumfi T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School at Essarkyir in the Mfantseman Municipality have converted some classrooms into dormitories because of insufficient dormitory facilities.
Some students of the school told officials of the Municipal assembly at a durbar with school children at Saltpond.
The children, selected from schools supported by Plan Ghana, a child centred Community Development Organisation, used the encounter to find out about plans the Assembly had towards improving their welfare.
US: Chino Mosque mourns victims of terrorist attacks on Ahmadiyyas
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Pakistan remains under constant
threats and persecution, while the government, police and antiterrorist
security forces stand idle doing nothing.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Sam Rao
Source & Credit: The Indian EXPRESS
By WESTCOAST Newsline | June 18, 2010
A SOMBER mood prevailed in the Los Angeles area and among the Ahmadiyya community as the horrific news of innocent people murdered trickled in. The long reach of terrorism and persecution touched all those who gathered at the Chino mosque as the congregation listened to the sermon and mourned with the families of the dead. “The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to lay to rest its victims — 98 so far — from the horrific May 28 simultaneous terrorist attacks on their two mosques in Lahore, Pakistan.
Source & Credit: The Indian EXPRESS
By WESTCOAST Newsline | June 18, 2010
A SOMBER mood prevailed in the Los Angeles area and among the Ahmadiyya community as the horrific news of innocent people murdered trickled in. The long reach of terrorism and persecution touched all those who gathered at the Chino mosque as the congregation listened to the sermon and mourned with the families of the dead. “The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to lay to rest its victims — 98 so far — from the horrific May 28 simultaneous terrorist attacks on their two mosques in Lahore, Pakistan.
BBC: Pakistan minorities nervous after Ahmedi mosque attacks
Ahmadiyya Times Editor's note: Ahmadiyya Times readers appreciate BBC's this first relatively detailed English report about the plight of Ahmadis in Pakistan on the one-month anniversary of the Lahore terrorists attacks.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: BBC News | UK
By Aleem Maqbool | BBC | May 28, 2010
Many members of Pakistan's minorities are uneasy about the future and their concerns have been heightened by the storming of two mosques in the Pakistani city of Lahore in May.
Nearly 100 people died in the sectarian attack on the Ahmedi sect and it is making other minority religions think hard about their safety.
Aleem Maqbool reports from the town of Rabwah, in Punjab:
Source & Credit: BBC News | UK
By Aleem Maqbool | BBC | May 28, 2010
Many members of Pakistan's minorities are uneasy about the future and their concerns have been heightened by the storming of two mosques in the Pakistani city of Lahore in May.
Nearly 100 people died in the sectarian attack on the Ahmedi sect and it is making other minority religions think hard about their safety.
Aleem Maqbool reports from the town of Rabwah, in Punjab:
Indonesia: FPI must be banned: House legislators
The FPI has been implicated in “too many” violent incidents and there is more than enough evidence for police to bring criminal charges against the group.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
By Hans David Tampubolon | June 29, 2010
A multi-party coalition of legislators in the House of Representatives legislators demanded that the Islamic Defender Front (FPI) be officially declared a forbidden organization, said a coalition representative.
"We are not concerned about their mission. We concerned about the way implement their goals," said Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle legislator Eva Kusuma Sundari at a press conference at the House on Monday.
Source & Credit: The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
By Hans David Tampubolon | June 29, 2010
A multi-party coalition of legislators in the House of Representatives legislators demanded that the Islamic Defender Front (FPI) be officially declared a forbidden organization, said a coalition representative.
"We are not concerned about their mission. We concerned about the way implement their goals," said Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle legislator Eva Kusuma Sundari at a press conference at the House on Monday.
Pakistan: Court extends judicial remand of Lahore attack suspects; Plea for physical remand rejected
The court summarily denied further physical remand of the two
accused to the police thus virtually stopping police from conducting
further investigation.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune
By Express | June 28, 2010
Edited: Ahmadiyya Times staff
LAHORE: An anti-terrorism Court in Lahore on Monday sent two suspects of the attack on the Ahmadis’ worship place on judicial remand till July 12.
The court summarily denied further physical remand of the two accused to the police thus virtually stopping police from conducting further investigation.
The accused Asmatullah alias Muaaz and Abdullah Muhammad were presented in court on Monday under tight security.
The police presented the evidences to the ATC during a hearing that continued for 35 minutes.
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune
By Express | June 28, 2010
Edited: Ahmadiyya Times staff
LAHORE: An anti-terrorism Court in Lahore on Monday sent two suspects of the attack on the Ahmadis’ worship place on judicial remand till July 12.
The court summarily denied further physical remand of the two accused to the police thus virtually stopping police from conducting further investigation.
The accused Asmatullah alias Muaaz and Abdullah Muhammad were presented in court on Monday under tight security.
The police presented the evidences to the ATC during a hearing that continued for 35 minutes.
Bangladesh: Muslim Television Ahmadiyya starts programming aimed at youth
Ten Ahmadi Students took part and questioned the panel on the subject "Desh o Shomaj" (Country & the Society) and Mr. Nazmul Haq made a lively presentation.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Bangladesh
By Ahmadiyya Times Staff | June 29, 2010
"The first recording of [program] Projonmo Bhabna (Thoughts of our Youngsters) was completed on 18th June," the Muslim Telivision Ahmadiyya Dhaka studios announced today.
According to the program producer, Ahmad Tabshir Choudhury, a 3 member panel comprising of Mr. Mobasher ur Rahman, National Ameer of Ahmadiyya Muslim community of Bangladesh; Prof. Meer Mubashsher Ali, Naib [Assistant] National Ameer; and Maj. Gen. Amjad Khan Chowdhury, Managing Director & CEO of PRAN Group spoke and answered various questions posed by the youngsters.
Source & Credit: Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Bangladesh
By Ahmadiyya Times Staff | June 29, 2010
"The first recording of [program] Projonmo Bhabna (Thoughts of our Youngsters) was completed on 18th June," the Muslim Telivision Ahmadiyya Dhaka studios announced today.
According to the program producer, Ahmad Tabshir Choudhury, a 3 member panel comprising of Mr. Mobasher ur Rahman, National Ameer of Ahmadiyya Muslim community of Bangladesh; Prof. Meer Mubashsher Ali, Naib [Assistant] National Ameer; and Maj. Gen. Amjad Khan Chowdhury, Managing Director & CEO of PRAN Group spoke and answered various questions posed by the youngsters.
Faith and common sense: The embrace of insanity
The massacre of Ahmadis in Lahore is not the first event to have exposed
fault lines in the crafting of a national identity in Pakistan. The
Christian pogrom at Gojra in 2009 where the police provided impunity to
the attackers, instead of protection to the victims, did just the same.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |Opinion
Source & Credit: The News | Pakistan
By Sherry Rehman | June 28, 2010
The nexus between state identity and religion is always a dangerous link. When citizens are massacred and abused on the status of their religious identity, then the slide into bestiality is no longer a heartbeat away. It is firmly among us. At this point only unmitigated public outrage and a matching state response puts us back in the league of the civilized and therefore, human.
The massacre of Ahmadis in Lahore is not the first event to have exposed fault lines in the crafting of a national identity in Pakistan. The Christian pogrom at Gojra in 2009 where the police provided impunity to the attackers, instead of protection to the victims, did just the same. Equally disturbing is the level and scale of ambiguity from several political parties on the action that governments need to take to protect their citizens.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |Opinion
Source & Credit: The News | Pakistan
By Sherry Rehman | June 28, 2010
The nexus between state identity and religion is always a dangerous link. When citizens are massacred and abused on the status of their religious identity, then the slide into bestiality is no longer a heartbeat away. It is firmly among us. At this point only unmitigated public outrage and a matching state response puts us back in the league of the civilized and therefore, human.
The massacre of Ahmadis in Lahore is not the first event to have exposed fault lines in the crafting of a national identity in Pakistan. The Christian pogrom at Gojra in 2009 where the police provided impunity to the attackers, instead of protection to the victims, did just the same. Equally disturbing is the level and scale of ambiguity from several political parties on the action that governments need to take to protect their citizens.
A Month Later: The day after | Windmills of My Mind
Ahmadiyya Times Editor's note: I think I have read through most every line that has been written about the plight of the Ahmadi Muslim community since the 28/5 attacks on Ahmadiyya Mosques in Lahore, Pakistan. For the past several days I have been wondering what is it that I would like to see repeated. The following lines have come to my mind several times as they are totally spontaneous reflections of a pure mind. So in memoriam - this is my selection.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |Cross-post
Source & Credit: Windmills of My Mind
By Zakintosh, Karachi, Pakistan
Originally posted: May 29, 2010
the day after
bullets … attack… mosque … those were the three things i got from a call from lahore ...
i switched on the tv. it was too near the jum'a prayers and my heart caved in. how many would they get today?
from the moment i switched the tv and flipped through channels all i got was the unfolding horror of what was happening. bullets. blow-ups. crackers. noise. police trying to get in and seemingly unable to do anything. and the voice of anchors being able to tell us that two 'worshipful places of a minority community' had been hit.
of course. you couldn't say mosques or anything resembling that. it was against the law. you couldn't say - moments later, as the figures started coming through - 4 shaheeds. they were ahmadis. anchors were moving slowly from 'prayers' to 'worshipping', wondering if the first word was against the law.
Source & Credit: Windmills of My Mind
By Zakintosh, Karachi, Pakistan
Originally posted: May 29, 2010
the day after
bullets … attack… mosque … those were the three things i got from a call from lahore ...
i switched on the tv. it was too near the jum'a prayers and my heart caved in. how many would they get today?
from the moment i switched the tv and flipped through channels all i got was the unfolding horror of what was happening. bullets. blow-ups. crackers. noise. police trying to get in and seemingly unable to do anything. and the voice of anchors being able to tell us that two 'worshipful places of a minority community' had been hit.
of course. you couldn't say mosques or anything resembling that. it was against the law. you couldn't say - moments later, as the figures started coming through - 4 shaheeds. they were ahmadis. anchors were moving slowly from 'prayers' to 'worshipping', wondering if the first word was against the law.
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Raiwind Connection: Investigators capture three men linked to Ahmedi attacks; Weapons, ammunition recovered
The sources said that law enforcers had conducted a raid on a militants’
hideout located in the Raiwind area and had recovered a large quantity
of weapons and ammunition.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: Daily Times | Pakistan
By Shahnawaz Khan | June 29, 2010
Large cache of weapons recovered. Intelligence reports indicate most terrorists present in certain parts of city
LAHORE: Law enforcers have arrested three outlaws who allegedly provided weapons and ammunition to the terrorists responsible for the attack on Ahmedis’ worship places in the provincial capital, sources told Daily Times on Monday. The sources said that law enforcers had conducted a raid on a militants’ hideout located in the Raiwind area and had recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: Daily Times | Pakistan
By Shahnawaz Khan | June 29, 2010
Large cache of weapons recovered. Intelligence reports indicate most terrorists present in certain parts of city
LAHORE: Law enforcers have arrested three outlaws who allegedly provided weapons and ammunition to the terrorists responsible for the attack on Ahmedis’ worship places in the provincial capital, sources told Daily Times on Monday. The sources said that law enforcers had conducted a raid on a militants’ hideout located in the Raiwind area and had recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition.
What happened on 28th of May, 2010 in Lahore?
Ahmadiyya Times Note: There are some factual oversights in the following article likely due to the inaccurate reporting in the media. The two main errors are about the presence of a large number of police personal before the attacks and about celebration of some event other than the Friday prayers. There were no large police guards assigned to protect the Ahmadiyya mosques nor were their special functions going on at any of the two locations except for the regular Friday prayers.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Opinion
Source & Credit: Christian Post
By Ata Us Salam | June 24, 2010
Terrorism is not a new thing for Pakistanis but the recent terrorist attacks at Ahmadiyya Mosques of Lahore left many questions for every person especially for Ahmadiyya community. I want to highlight these questions so that international as well as national community could know some hidden realities of this miserable incident.
This was the noon of 28th of May when people of Ahmadiyya community were gathered in their mosques named as “Dar-Uz-Zikar” and “Bait-Un-Noor” to offer Juma prayer and to celebrate an important day of their faith. Dar-Uz-Zikar is located in the area of Garhi Shahu and Bait-Un-Noor is located in the area of Model Town. Both of these above mentioned mosques are the largest mosques of Ahmadis in the city of Lahore.
Source & Credit: Christian Post
By Ata Us Salam | June 24, 2010
Terrorism is not a new thing for Pakistanis but the recent terrorist attacks at Ahmadiyya Mosques of Lahore left many questions for every person especially for Ahmadiyya community. I want to highlight these questions so that international as well as national community could know some hidden realities of this miserable incident.
This was the noon of 28th of May when people of Ahmadiyya community were gathered in their mosques named as “Dar-Uz-Zikar” and “Bait-Un-Noor” to offer Juma prayer and to celebrate an important day of their faith. Dar-Uz-Zikar is located in the area of Garhi Shahu and Bait-Un-Noor is located in the area of Model Town. Both of these above mentioned mosques are the largest mosques of Ahmadis in the city of Lahore.
Faith and Country: Messages of hope from an isolated Muslim sect in Leicester
A banner hangs across the wall behind us. "There is none worthy of
worship except Allah," it reads. "Mohammed is the messenger of Allah."
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: This is Leicestershire
By Leicester Mercury| June 28, 2010
The Ahmadi community in Leicester say they are Muslim. Other Muslims say they are fakes... or worse. Multi-faith, multi-racial life in Leicester is more complicated than you think, as Adam Wakelin discovers
THERE'S a cosy view of life in Leicester that we all rub along quite nicely. Maybe that's true most of the time. But it's an ideal that raises rueful smiles inside the Ahmadiyya Community Centre, a deceptively large building that's easy to miss as you pass the rows of terraced houses en route to the posher parts of Clarendon Park, Leicester.
Perhaps its anonymity is no bad thing.
"When we didn't have our own prayer hall we used to hire community premises," says Ather Mirza, general secretary of the of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Leicester.
"There was always pressure about where we could go before. People would stand outside to harangue us and shout obscenities."
Ather is here with the association's president Habib Akram and its regional missionary Ghulam Ahmad Khadim to talk about tolerance, respect and what it's like to sometimes feel like outsiders in your own city.
Source & Credit: This is Leicestershire
By Leicester Mercury| June 28, 2010
The Ahmadi community in Leicester say they are Muslim. Other Muslims say they are fakes... or worse. Multi-faith, multi-racial life in Leicester is more complicated than you think, as Adam Wakelin discovers
THERE'S a cosy view of life in Leicester that we all rub along quite nicely. Maybe that's true most of the time. But it's an ideal that raises rueful smiles inside the Ahmadiyya Community Centre, a deceptively large building that's easy to miss as you pass the rows of terraced houses en route to the posher parts of Clarendon Park, Leicester.
Perhaps its anonymity is no bad thing.
"When we didn't have our own prayer hall we used to hire community premises," says Ather Mirza, general secretary of the of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Leicester.
"There was always pressure about where we could go before. People would stand outside to harangue us and shout obscenities."
Ather is here with the association's president Habib Akram and its regional missionary Ghulam Ahmad Khadim to talk about tolerance, respect and what it's like to sometimes feel like outsiders in your own city.
Pakistan: Nawa-i-Waqt leads anti-Ahmadiyya media crusade
“There is no room for Qadianis in the Muslim Ummah; it is a religious
duty of every Muslim to dispatch a Qadiani to hell,” [International Khatme-e-Nabuwwat]
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Cross-post
Source & Credit: ViewPoint | Online
By Adnan Farooq | June 18, 2010
It is highly commendable that a section of the press, in particular Daily Times and its sister organization Aaj Kal, The News on Sunday and Dawn have clearly taken a position regarding persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan. Also, Dunya TV has shown some courage. Most importantly, Nawaz Sharif deserves credit for issuing a bold statement that annoyed his erstwhile religious allies. However, a dominant trend in media remains unchanged, even after the recent tragedy in Lahore.
Viewpoint has received a report compiled by an Ahmadi body that profiles the vernacular press’ attitude towards the Ahmadiyya community. The report cites anti-Ahmadiyya items published by Urdu newspapers in 2008. The report makes for startling reading.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Cross-post
Source & Credit: ViewPoint | Online
By Adnan Farooq | June 18, 2010
It is highly commendable that a section of the press, in particular Daily Times and its sister organization Aaj Kal, The News on Sunday and Dawn have clearly taken a position regarding persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan. Also, Dunya TV has shown some courage. Most importantly, Nawaz Sharif deserves credit for issuing a bold statement that annoyed his erstwhile religious allies. However, a dominant trend in media remains unchanged, even after the recent tragedy in Lahore.
Viewpoint has received a report compiled by an Ahmadi body that profiles the vernacular press’ attitude towards the Ahmadiyya community. The report cites anti-Ahmadiyya items published by Urdu newspapers in 2008. The report makes for startling reading.
Pakistani right-wing newspaper perpetuates extremism, killings
General Zia was no angel either. Known for being the mastermind in creation and establishment of Taliban in Afghanistan and starting their training camps and safe-havens in northern Pakistan, General Zia is credited for giving rise to the worldwide Islamic fanaticism and extremism.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Opinion
Source & Credit: Los Angeles Islam Examiner
ByImran Jattala | Los Angeles, California
It is all about editorial judgment - and taste.
In a tasteless display of what Temour, the cartoonist may have sketched in pandering to a select group of extremists, his carton published in an Urdu newspaper in Pakistan proposes to kill Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The cartoon, drawn on June 20th, was displayed prominently on the front page of Ummat, a right-wing Urdu daily published from Karachi, Pakistan.
For some this might sound as an ‘inside joke.’ It is not.
Source & Credit: Los Angeles Islam Examiner
ByImran Jattala | Los Angeles, California
It is all about editorial judgment - and taste.
In a tasteless display of what Temour, the cartoonist may have sketched in pandering to a select group of extremists, his carton published in an Urdu newspaper in Pakistan proposes to kill Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The cartoon, drawn on June 20th, was displayed prominently on the front page of Ummat, a right-wing Urdu daily published from Karachi, Pakistan.
For some this might sound as an ‘inside joke.’ It is not.
Pakistan conflicted over targeting rising extremists in its heartland
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Opinion
Source & Credit:The Washington Post
By Karin Brulliard | June 22, 2010
LAHORE, PAKISTAN -- Even as its army battles insurgents on the mountainous western border, Pakistan's government remains deeply ambivalent about tackling extremist Sunnis it says are a rising menace within its populous heartland.
In the vast lowlands of Punjab province, fundamentalist and sectarian organizations banned for terrorist links operate openly and with occasional support from officials. The groups' encouragement of violence against minorities and others considered infidels is tolerated, one top provincial official said, because it is part of Pakistan's political "mind-set," and confronting it might spawn more radicals.
Dr. Abdus Salam and special Providence of God.
the whole sequence of events, my getting a scholarship at the right
time, my getting to Cambridge at all at the right time, and then being
interested in science, was all, ... very much a part of
something deeper
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Profiles
Source & Credit: Google Knol |
By Zia H. Shah | Upstate, NY
In his achievements, Dr. Salam saw a certain special Providence of God. Let me quote from the transcript of one of his interviews. The questi0ns asked by Lewis Wolpert or Alison Richards are in inverted comas:
"But I am not quite sure how you got to Cambridge."
"Did you come from a peasant background?"
Source & Credit: Google Knol |
By Zia H. Shah | Upstate, NY
In his achievements, Dr. Salam saw a certain special Providence of God. Let me quote from the transcript of one of his interviews. The questi0ns asked by Lewis Wolpert or Alison Richards are in inverted comas:
"But I am not quite sure how you got to Cambridge."
I got to Cambridge by means of a scholarship from Small Peasants' welfare fund which was set up by the Prime Minister of the State of Punjab at that time.
"Did you come from a peasant background?"
That's right. Although my father was a Civil Servant, he had a small parcel of land and he qualified. So I got one of those scholarships and the interesting thing is that only five scholarships were offered, and the other four people who got them could not get university admission that year. Then came the partition of the country and the scholarships disappeared. So the entire purpose of that fund and those scholarships seemed to be to get me to Cambridge.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
View: Terrorist attacks on Lahore mosques
'...[W]e should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that
in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would
cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the
personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as
citizens of the State.' [Jinnah, 1947]
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: The Financial Express
By Mansoor Ahmad | June 9, 2010
Pakistan is such a country where things are moving from bad to worse. Terrors have engulfed the entire nation. At present it is suffering from social, political and economic conflicts. The ordinary Pakistanis, the middle and the lower class in particular, are facing a long list of serious crises.
On 28th May 2010, terrorist attacks took place on Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore by gunmen armed with grenades and automatic weapons killing around 86 people. It was a Friday, a day regarded as holy and sacred by all Muslims. The terrorists opened fire on the worshipers when the latter gathered at Baitul Noor Mosque in Model Town and Darul Zikr Mosque in Garhi Shahu.
Source & Credit: The Financial Express
By Mansoor Ahmad | June 9, 2010
Pakistan is such a country where things are moving from bad to worse. Terrors have engulfed the entire nation. At present it is suffering from social, political and economic conflicts. The ordinary Pakistanis, the middle and the lower class in particular, are facing a long list of serious crises.
On 28th May 2010, terrorist attacks took place on Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore by gunmen armed with grenades and automatic weapons killing around 86 people. It was a Friday, a day regarded as holy and sacred by all Muslims. The terrorists opened fire on the worshipers when the latter gathered at Baitul Noor Mosque in Model Town and Darul Zikr Mosque in Garhi Shahu.
Pakistan: Christians fearful and fleeing Punjab
With the passage of the Criminal Law Act of 1986, parliament added
section 295-C to the Pakistan Penal Code, making the defamation of
Muhammad punishable by death.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: Energy Publisher
By Martin Barillas | June 26, 2010
During the last few weeks, three more Christians and a Shia religious leader in Pakistan have faced charges under Pakistan’s discriminatory blasphemy laws, 295 B & C of Pakistan Penal Code for allegedly desecrating the Koran and defaming the founder of Islam - Muhammad.
On May 28, a judge directed police in Karachi to file charges against two Christians, Atiq Joseph and Qaiser William, after a mob of armed Islamists went through their home’s garbage looking for pages of the Islamic scripture there.
Source & Credit: Energy Publisher
By Martin Barillas | June 26, 2010
During the last few weeks, three more Christians and a Shia religious leader in Pakistan have faced charges under Pakistan’s discriminatory blasphemy laws, 295 B & C of Pakistan Penal Code for allegedly desecrating the Koran and defaming the founder of Islam - Muhammad.
On May 28, a judge directed police in Karachi to file charges against two Christians, Atiq Joseph and Qaiser William, after a mob of armed Islamists went through their home’s garbage looking for pages of the Islamic scripture there.
Eye on Terrorism: Lashkar and ISI united in pan-Islamic terror, Headley tells NIA
It took two days of persuasion for Headley to waive his right to silence
under US law and detail every meeting he had with his LeT handlers,
including Hafiz Saeed and Sajid Mir, and ISI officials in Muzzaffarabad
and Lahore before the 26/11 attacks.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit:The Times of India | June 27, 2010
By Vishwa Mohan & Dhananjay Mahapatra | TNN
ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: In a chilling disclosure with serious ramifications for India, Pakistan and the international community, 26/11 accused David Coleman Headley told the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier this month that Lashkar-e-Taiba and ISI are virtually inseparable as far as the pan-Islamic terror agenda is concerned.
Home minister P Chidambaram used the NIA dossier detailing Headley's disclosures to drive home the point that stringent measures are needed against terrorist groups operating with impunity from Pakistani soil.
Source & Credit:The Times of India | June 27, 2010
By Vishwa Mohan & Dhananjay Mahapatra | TNN
ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: In a chilling disclosure with serious ramifications for India, Pakistan and the international community, 26/11 accused David Coleman Headley told the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier this month that Lashkar-e-Taiba and ISI are virtually inseparable as far as the pan-Islamic terror agenda is concerned.
Home minister P Chidambaram used the NIA dossier detailing Headley's disclosures to drive home the point that stringent measures are needed against terrorist groups operating with impunity from Pakistani soil.
Fear and silence: Why are Ahmadis persecuted so ferociously in Pakistan?
The collective result of this is to silence and impose fear not just on
the few per cent of Pakistanis who are Ahmadis, or even on those who are
Christians and Hindus, but on all of us. The message is clear. Speaking
out against the problem means you are the problem, so you had better be
quiet.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit:Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By Mohsin Hamid | June 27, 2010
WHY are Ahmadis persecuted so ferociously in Pakistan?
The reason can’t be that their large numbers pose some sort of ‘threat from within’. After all, Ahmadis are a relatively small minority in Pakistan. They make up somewhere between 0.25 per cent (according to the last census) and 2.5 per cent (according to the Economist) of our population.
Nor can the reason be that Ahmadis are non-Muslims. Pakistani Christians and Pakistani Hindus are non-Muslims, and similar in numbers to Pakistani Ahmadis. Yet Christians and Hindus, while undeniably discriminated against, face nothing like the vitriol directed towards Ahmadis in our country.
Source & Credit:Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By Mohsin Hamid | June 27, 2010
WHY are Ahmadis persecuted so ferociously in Pakistan?
The reason can’t be that their large numbers pose some sort of ‘threat from within’. After all, Ahmadis are a relatively small minority in Pakistan. They make up somewhere between 0.25 per cent (according to the last census) and 2.5 per cent (according to the Economist) of our population.
Nor can the reason be that Ahmadis are non-Muslims. Pakistani Christians and Pakistani Hindus are non-Muslims, and similar in numbers to Pakistani Ahmadis. Yet Christians and Hindus, while undeniably discriminated against, face nothing like the vitriol directed towards Ahmadis in our country.
Islam's 'outcastes' | The Times of India:
Another feature of the Ahmadiyas, unique to them, is the institution of
the Khilafat or Caliphate in the contemporary world. Its pure,
theological form was abolished after the assassination of Hazrat Ali,
the fouth Caliph.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: The Times of India
By Mohammed Wajihuddin | June 26, 2010
Visiting a graveyard can be an uninspiring detour during a pilgrimage. But if you are in Qadiyan, the headquarters of the Ahmadiyas in Punjab's Gurdaspur district, visiting the massive graveyard called Bahishti Maqbara is mandatory. For, here rests Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908 ), their founder.
To this Muslim sect, whose followers are also known as Qadiyanis, Ahmad is the awaited Mahdi, the Promised Messiah as prophesied by Prophet Mohammed. But to the zealots who butchered nearly 100 worshippers in Lahore's two Ahmadiya mosques on May 28, and even to those Muslims who denounce such wanton brutality, Ahmad, the self-appointed Mahdi and Promised Messiah was an "imposter and heretic".
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: The Times of India
By Mohammed Wajihuddin | June 26, 2010
Visiting a graveyard can be an uninspiring detour during a pilgrimage. But if you are in Qadiyan, the headquarters of the Ahmadiyas in Punjab's Gurdaspur district, visiting the massive graveyard called Bahishti Maqbara is mandatory. For, here rests Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908 ), their founder.
To this Muslim sect, whose followers are also known as Qadiyanis, Ahmad is the awaited Mahdi, the Promised Messiah as prophesied by Prophet Mohammed. But to the zealots who butchered nearly 100 worshippers in Lahore's two Ahmadiya mosques on May 28, and even to those Muslims who denounce such wanton brutality, Ahmad, the self-appointed Mahdi and Promised Messiah was an "imposter and heretic".
Pakistan Telecommunications Authority plans to push Pakistan to 1984
If this draft is indeed part of the PTA’s upcoming plan to protect its citizens from blasphemous material, it is a poor one, an astonishing one, a sad one. If the PTA has even half the resources necessary to begin implementation of the above guidelines, it would mean a blanket ban on millions of websites.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune | Blog
By Jahanzaib Haque | June 26, 2010
A leaked confidential draft of the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) allegedly delivered to the Lahore High Court (LHC) has suggested the implementation of a new draconian system which would greatly curtail internet freedom in the country, not unlike Big Brother from George Orwell’s ’1984′.
Needless to say, the document obtained by APCmember Bytes for All has begun to make rounds online, leaving many (including this writer) extremely worried about the possibilities of such a system being actualised.
Pertinent points from the PTA draft suggestions follow:
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune | Blog
By Jahanzaib Haque | June 26, 2010
A leaked confidential draft of the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) allegedly delivered to the Lahore High Court (LHC) has suggested the implementation of a new draconian system which would greatly curtail internet freedom in the country, not unlike Big Brother from George Orwell’s ’1984′.
Needless to say, the document obtained by APCmember Bytes for All has begun to make rounds online, leaving many (including this writer) extremely worried about the possibilities of such a system being actualised.
Pertinent points from the PTA draft suggestions follow:
Pakistani man suspected in Mumbai attacks arrested in Zimbabwe: report
The suspect, Imran Muhammad, 33, and Chaudry Parvez Ahmed, 39, were
arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post the state-run Herald newspaper
reported, adding that Muhammad was wanted for the Mumbai attacks.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune
By Express | AFP | June 27, 2010
HARARE: A Pakistani suspected of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks has been arrested in Zimbabwe, along with another Pakistani national, as he tried to cross into South Africa, police and state media said on Saturday.
The suspect, Imran Muhammad, 33, and Chaudry Parvez Ahmed, 39, were arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post the state-run Herald newspaper reported, adding that Muhammad was wanted for the Mumbai attacks.
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune
By Express | AFP | June 27, 2010
HARARE: A Pakistani suspected of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks has been arrested in Zimbabwe, along with another Pakistani national, as he tried to cross into South Africa, police and state media said on Saturday.
The suspect, Imran Muhammad, 33, and Chaudry Parvez Ahmed, 39, were arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post the state-run Herald newspaper reported, adding that Muhammad was wanted for the Mumbai attacks.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Confidential Pakistani document reveals plans for stricter control of the internet and freedom of expression
Internet rights defenders take a stance: “If implemented, PTA’s proposed policy guidelines can give the
authorities the power to filter the Internet freely and impede on
people’s freedom of expression, access to information, and block online
activism."
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: APCNews | Bytes for All
By Bytes for All | Islamabad | June 24, 2010
Since May 20, Pakistan has experienced a wave of strict Internet content control with thousands of web pages blocked following a Facebook campaign inviting users to “Draw Muhammad”. The Facebook campaign pushed Pakistani authorities to actively engage in blocking and filtering Internet content, leaving Pakistani citizens powerless against the online blanket ban. Further plans by the government to continue to filter any content it considers “objectionable” have been revealed in a confidential document obtained by APC member Bytes for All. “These new guidelines will give Pakistan’s government the power to cripple Pakistani citizens’ access to information and freedom of expression over the Internet,” say Internet rights activists.
New policy guidelines give Pakistani authorities “carte blanche” over Internet content.
Source & Credit: APCNews | Bytes for All
By Bytes for All | Islamabad | June 24, 2010
Since May 20, Pakistan has experienced a wave of strict Internet content control with thousands of web pages blocked following a Facebook campaign inviting users to “Draw Muhammad”. The Facebook campaign pushed Pakistani authorities to actively engage in blocking and filtering Internet content, leaving Pakistani citizens powerless against the online blanket ban. Further plans by the government to continue to filter any content it considers “objectionable” have been revealed in a confidential document obtained by APC member Bytes for All. “These new guidelines will give Pakistan’s government the power to cripple Pakistani citizens’ access to information and freedom of expression over the Internet,” say Internet rights activists.
New policy guidelines give Pakistani authorities “carte blanche” over Internet content.
Public Backlash: ‘No website will be blocked without investigation,' Pakistan explains
The Ministry of Information and Technology has decided to block 17
websites, including YouTube, although the date of implementation of this
order has not been ascertained. The websites are being blocked for
allowing access to blasphemous material as presented to the Bahawalpur
bench of the Lahore High Court.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune
By Express | June 25, 2010
The advisor to prime minister on Information Technology, Latif Khosa stated on Friday that no website will be blocked without proper investigation.
According to latest reports, The Ministry of Information and Technology has decided to block 17 websites, including YouTube, although the date of implementation of this order has not been ascertained. The websites are being blocked for allowing access to blasphemous material as presented to the Bahawalpur bench of the Lahore High Court. Search engines such as Yahoo and MSN will also be closely monitored for now, said ministry sources.
The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench has summoned IT ministry officials on the 28th of this month, to further discuss the matter.
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune
By Express | June 25, 2010
The advisor to prime minister on Information Technology, Latif Khosa stated on Friday that no website will be blocked without proper investigation.
According to latest reports, The Ministry of Information and Technology has decided to block 17 websites, including YouTube, although the date of implementation of this order has not been ascertained. The websites are being blocked for allowing access to blasphemous material as presented to the Bahawalpur bench of the Lahore High Court. Search engines such as Yahoo and MSN will also be closely monitored for now, said ministry sources.
The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench has summoned IT ministry officials on the 28th of this month, to further discuss the matter.
Faith and freedom: Message stifled
Those who abuse us do not truly represent Islam. Their actions are
absolutely un-Islamic. It is unfortunate, though, that the true Islamic
message has limited opportunities to be available to Western societies.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: Calgary Herald | June 25, 2010
By Latif Ahmed | Gilbert, Arizona
Re: "Worst human rights offenders condemn West," Licia Corbella, Opinion, June 19.
Licia Corbella's column was so right and made me feel embarrassed.
I was born in Pakistan and moved to the U.S. about 26 years ago. I was in my late teens in 1974 when Ahmadi Muslims, after years of covert and semi-covert persecution just because we believed in the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, became targets of attacks. Several thousand Ahmadi Muslims suffered loss of life or property. Our homes were burned down, properties destroyed, and careers ruined. I saw a change in the behaviour of my best friend who told me he could murder me.
Source & Credit: Calgary Herald | June 25, 2010
By Latif Ahmed | Gilbert, Arizona
Re: "Worst human rights offenders condemn West," Licia Corbella, Opinion, June 19.
Licia Corbella's column was so right and made me feel embarrassed.
I was born in Pakistan and moved to the U.S. about 26 years ago. I was in my late teens in 1974 when Ahmadi Muslims, after years of covert and semi-covert persecution just because we believed in the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, became targets of attacks. Several thousand Ahmadi Muslims suffered loss of life or property. Our homes were burned down, properties destroyed, and careers ruined. I saw a change in the behaviour of my best friend who told me he could murder me.
Dear Sir: Assalam-o Alaykum - I wanted to write to you about something I feel is important
To this day, in the face of all atrocities, Ahmadis continue to be law
abiding, patriotic citizens of Pakistan. I humbly request you to please
ask the Pakistani government to take action on this important matter as
Pakistan’s relative stability lies in the balance during these tough
times.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | US Desk
Source & Credit: Ahmadiyya Times Staff | June 25, 2010
By Rizwan Jattala | Univ. of California, Los Angeles
The following message addressed to Consul General of Pakistan was sent on June 13th. The same letter, addressed to the Pakistani Ambassador and several other Pakistani diplomats in the US, was emailed on the same date. To date the writer has received no answer, not even an acknowledgment of this writer's letters:
Respected Consul General of Pakistan:
Assalamo Alaiukum Wa Rahmatullah,
My name is Rizwan Jattala and I am an American born of Pakistani descent living here in Los Angeles. I currently attend UCLA and am not too far away from your office. I wanted to write to you about something I feel is important to the very well being of Pakistan.
Source & Credit: Ahmadiyya Times Staff | June 25, 2010
By Rizwan Jattala | Univ. of California, Los Angeles
The following message addressed to Consul General of Pakistan was sent on June 13th. The same letter, addressed to the Pakistani Ambassador and several other Pakistani diplomats in the US, was emailed on the same date. To date the writer has received no answer, not even an acknowledgment of this writer's letters:
Respected Consul General of Pakistan:
Assalamo Alaiukum Wa Rahmatullah,
My name is Rizwan Jattala and I am an American born of Pakistani descent living here in Los Angeles. I currently attend UCLA and am not too far away from your office. I wanted to write to you about something I feel is important to the very well being of Pakistan.
Indonesia: Rights, from a child’s point of view - Extra brownie points for beating Ahmadi children
Another boy, who is a member of the Islamic minority sect Ahmadiyah,
told of how he had to leave his school after being repeatedly beaten by
bullies because of his religious beliefs. “They said
that if they beat an Ahmadiyah kid during Ramadan, they would get extra
brownie points.”
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: The Jakarta Globe
By Angela Dewan | May 30, 2010
We, the children of Indonesia, ask the government to educate the community about children’s rights, including parents, teachers and children themselves,” said Tika, a high school student from Semarang.
“We, the children of Indonesia, ask the government to provide our schools with better facilities and make sure education is truly free for all of us,” said Maxie, a student from Ambon, Maluku.
These two young people bravely stood up last Tuesday in front of 100 adults and voiced their concerns about the state of children’s rights. They were speaking at an event to mark the release of a report by a coalition of NGOs on Indonesia’s progress in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Source & Credit: The Jakarta Globe
By Angela Dewan | May 30, 2010
We, the children of Indonesia, ask the government to educate the community about children’s rights, including parents, teachers and children themselves,” said Tika, a high school student from Semarang.
“We, the children of Indonesia, ask the government to provide our schools with better facilities and make sure education is truly free for all of us,” said Maxie, a student from Ambon, Maluku.
These two young people bravely stood up last Tuesday in front of 100 adults and voiced their concerns about the state of children’s rights. They were speaking at an event to mark the release of a report by a coalition of NGOs on Indonesia’s progress in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Eye on Terrirism: It’s time to cut the proverbial cord
The continued support of groups like JuD by the government of Punjab is
nothing short of denial. PML-N’s unwillingness to deal with the problem
of growing militancy is one thing. Actively supporting groups directly
involved in militancy is another.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune | Blog
By Sarah Hasnain | May 25, 2010
The past five years have been among the most critical in Pakistan’s existence. Economic and political tensions which were simmering for the past fifty years have finally come to a boil. So it comes as a shock that the Punjab government would hand Rs82 million to Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), the charity wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the militant group allegedly responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks in 2009. Of the total Rs82 million allotted, Rs79 million have been earmarked for the group’s headquarters in Murdike and Rs3 million were granted to religious schools run by the organisation throughout Punjab.
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune | Blog
By Sarah Hasnain | May 25, 2010
The past five years have been among the most critical in Pakistan’s existence. Economic and political tensions which were simmering for the past fifty years have finally come to a boil. So it comes as a shock that the Punjab government would hand Rs82 million to Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), the charity wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the militant group allegedly responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks in 2009. Of the total Rs82 million allotted, Rs79 million have been earmarked for the group’s headquarters in Murdike and Rs3 million were granted to religious schools run by the organisation throughout Punjab.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Pakistan: Another 'blasphemy' arrest draws protest from Pakistan's Catholic bishops
Christians in Pakistan have frequently complained that the blasphemy
laws are exploited to intimidate the Christian minority.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: Agenzia Fides
By Catholic Culture | June 25, 2010
The arrest of a Pakistani man on blasphemy charges has prompted the country’s Catholic bishops’ conference to protest the misuse of the law “to strike religious minority groups.”
Rehmat Masih, a Christian resident of Faisalabad, was accused of blasphemous remarks about the prophet Mohammed. Neighbors said that the charges were false; they were apparently lodged by a Muslim neighbor with whom Masih had an economic dispute.
Christians in Pakistan have frequently complained that the blasphemy laws are exploited to intimidate the Christian minority.
“The government of Pakistan must wake up and shoulder its responsibilities, at both the legal and the political level, and explain why this law is allowed to harass and abuse innocent Pakistani citizens,” said Peter Jacob, the executive director of the Catholic bishops’ justice and peace commission.
Read original post here: Another 'blasphemy' arrest draws protest from Pakistan's Catholic bishops
Source & Credit: Agenzia Fides
By Catholic Culture | June 25, 2010
The arrest of a Pakistani man on blasphemy charges has prompted the country’s Catholic bishops’ conference to protest the misuse of the law “to strike religious minority groups.”
Rehmat Masih, a Christian resident of Faisalabad, was accused of blasphemous remarks about the prophet Mohammed. Neighbors said that the charges were false; they were apparently lodged by a Muslim neighbor with whom Masih had an economic dispute.
Christians in Pakistan have frequently complained that the blasphemy laws are exploited to intimidate the Christian minority.
“The government of Pakistan must wake up and shoulder its responsibilities, at both the legal and the political level, and explain why this law is allowed to harass and abuse innocent Pakistani citizens,” said Peter Jacob, the executive director of the Catholic bishops’ justice and peace commission.
Read original post here: Another 'blasphemy' arrest draws protest from Pakistan's Catholic bishops
US study downplays Pakistan madrassa threat
“We do need to take the militant madrassa issue very, very seriously -
in all likelihood they should probably be shut down.” [Brookings Institution]
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By Dawn | June 24, 2010
WASHINGTON: Pakistan desperately needs more schools to curb extremism but madrassas - the Islamic seminaries that have struck fear in the West - are not the main problem, a US study said Wednesday.
The Brookings Institution, a think-tank, estimated that fewer than 10 per cent of Pakistani students attended madrassas and said the number of such "militant seminaries" was not increasing.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By Dawn | June 24, 2010
WASHINGTON: Pakistan desperately needs more schools to curb extremism but madrassas - the Islamic seminaries that have struck fear in the West - are not the main problem, a US study said Wednesday.
The Brookings Institution, a think-tank, estimated that fewer than 10 per cent of Pakistani students attended madrassas and said the number of such "militant seminaries" was not increasing.
Pakistan scans Google, other sites for blasphemy
"If any particular link with offensive content appears on these
websites, the (link) shall be blocked immediately without disturbing the
main website." [PTA]
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit:Yahoo News | AP
ByAsif Shahzad | AP Writer | June 25, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan will monitor seven major websites, including Google and Yahoo, to block anti-Islamic links and content, an official said Friday. Seventeen lesser-known sites are being blocked outright for alleged blasphemous material.
The moves follow Pakistan's temporary ban imposed on Facebook in May that drew both praise and condemnation in a country that has long struggled to figure out how strict a version of Islam it should follow.
Both the Facebook ban and the move announced Friday were in response to court orders. The sites to be monitored include Yahoo Inc., Google Inc. and its YouTube service, Amazon.com Inc. and MSN, Hotmail and Bing from Microsoft Corp., said Pakistan Telecommunication Authority spokesman Khurram Mehran.
Source & Credit:Yahoo News | AP
ByAsif Shahzad | AP Writer | June 25, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan will monitor seven major websites, including Google and Yahoo, to block anti-Islamic links and content, an official said Friday. Seventeen lesser-known sites are being blocked outright for alleged blasphemous material.
The moves follow Pakistan's temporary ban imposed on Facebook in May that drew both praise and condemnation in a country that has long struggled to figure out how strict a version of Islam it should follow.
Both the Facebook ban and the move announced Friday were in response to court orders. The sites to be monitored include Yahoo Inc., Google Inc. and its YouTube service, Amazon.com Inc. and MSN, Hotmail and Bing from Microsoft Corp., said Pakistan Telecommunication Authority spokesman Khurram Mehran.
Hard road for Pakistan's women workers
Pakistan may be one of the world's most deeply patriarchal societies with some of the worst indicators of women's health, no domestic violence law and endemic sexism but women make up a significant segment of road labour.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By AFP | Dawn | June 23, 2010
DASKA, Pakistan: As the Pakistan sun burns and lorries rumble past, blaring their horns and trailing exhaust fumes, pregnant Ayesha Bibi hauls a bucket of stones onto her head, wincing at the pain.
Aged 29, she is a widow and a mother of four. She is five months pregnant with her fifth child yet road construction in the parched countryside near the Indian border is the only way she can feed her children.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By AFP | Dawn | June 23, 2010
DASKA, Pakistan: As the Pakistan sun burns and lorries rumble past, blaring their horns and trailing exhaust fumes, pregnant Ayesha Bibi hauls a bucket of stones onto her head, wincing at the pain.
Aged 29, she is a widow and a mother of four. She is five months pregnant with her fifth child yet road construction in the parched countryside near the Indian border is the only way she can feed her children.
Eye on Extremism: Facebook founder Might Face Death Penalty
This comes barely a month after Pakistan banned both YouTube and
Facebook on similar charges. That ban was later revoked. Pakistan was
later followed by Bangladesh who blocked access to Facebook following
another instance of blasphemy by a Bangladeshi citizen.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit:Tech Tree
By Techtree News Staff | June 25, 2010
Just when you thought the troubled times for Facebook had come to a conclusion, here comes some more trouble for the famous social networking website and its founder Mark Zuckerberg.
A Pakistani court is investigating a blasphemy charge against the 26 year old CEO of Facebook in which if convicted, can mean a death penalty for Zuckerberg. Rest assured, he won't be heading towards Pakistan for a vacation for the foreseeable future.
Source & Credit:Tech Tree
By Techtree News Staff | June 25, 2010
Just when you thought the troubled times for Facebook had come to a conclusion, here comes some more trouble for the famous social networking website and its founder Mark Zuckerberg.
A Pakistani court is investigating a blasphemy charge against the 26 year old CEO of Facebook in which if convicted, can mean a death penalty for Zuckerberg. Rest assured, he won't be heading towards Pakistan for a vacation for the foreseeable future.
Lahore, Pakistan: Two terrorists nabbed in Lahore, suspected in Ahmadiyya attacks
The terrorists named Imran and Bilal are suspected to be involved in the
attack on Ahmadis.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune
By Express | June 25, 2010
LAHORE: Law enforcement agencies arrested two suspected terrorists from Lahore on Friday.
The suspected terrorists were arrested in Ferozwala area of Lahore and were found with ammunition and explosives in their possession. The terrorists named Imran and Bilal are suspected to be involved in the attack on Ahmadis.
Law enforcement agencies recovered two trucks full of explosives, 300 hand grenades, 15 lands mines, 15 suicide jackets, 16 walkie talkies and thousands of bullets from the terrorists. More suspects have also been picked up on indication of the terrorists.
Read original post here: Two terrorists nabbed in Lahore
Source & Credit: The Express Tribune
By Express | June 25, 2010
LAHORE: Law enforcement agencies arrested two suspected terrorists from Lahore on Friday.
The suspected terrorists were arrested in Ferozwala area of Lahore and were found with ammunition and explosives in their possession. The terrorists named Imran and Bilal are suspected to be involved in the attack on Ahmadis.
Law enforcement agencies recovered two trucks full of explosives, 300 hand grenades, 15 lands mines, 15 suicide jackets, 16 walkie talkies and thousands of bullets from the terrorists. More suspects have also been picked up on indication of the terrorists.
Read original post here: Two terrorists nabbed in Lahore
Pakistan’s unsung genius: Dr. Abdus Salam
For a country that doesn’t have a long list of notable figures to
celebrate, I found it surprising that Dr Salam was not a household name.
For a man who put Pakistan on the world map and etched his country’s
name into scientific history, he was astonishingly downplayed.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | EU Desk
Source & Credit:Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By Dr Sarah Alam Malik | June 25, 2010
The picture was taken on my visit to CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) in Geneva, Switzerland a couple of years ago. CERN is home to the world’s highest energy particle accelerator and has been the subject of considerable media attention as it collides particles travelling at very nearly the speed of light to recreate the very early moments of the Big Bang. Imminent scientific discoveries are expected and with them, a significant development in our understanding of the laws of nature.
Perhaps the last major breakthrough in the world of particle physics came in the 1960s when Dr Abdus Salam, a Pakistani physicist, proposed a mathematical model that unified two of the four fundamental forces in nature and described them as different aspects of a single force.
Source & Credit:Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By Dr Sarah Alam Malik | June 25, 2010
The picture was taken on my visit to CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) in Geneva, Switzerland a couple of years ago. CERN is home to the world’s highest energy particle accelerator and has been the subject of considerable media attention as it collides particles travelling at very nearly the speed of light to recreate the very early moments of the Big Bang. Imminent scientific discoveries are expected and with them, a significant development in our understanding of the laws of nature.
Perhaps the last major breakthrough in the world of particle physics came in the 1960s when Dr Abdus Salam, a Pakistani physicist, proposed a mathematical model that unified two of the four fundamental forces in nature and described them as different aspects of a single force.
UK: Foreign Secretary answers questions on Twitter, addresses Ahmadiyya persecution
The Foreign Secretary was asked a series of questions about Afghanistan,
UK visa services in Pakistan, bilateral trade ties and the recent
terror attacks against the Ahmaddiya community in Pakistan.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | UK Desk
Source & Credit: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Ahmadiyya Times Staff | June 24, 2010
Mr Hague has answered questions posted by audiences on Twitter during his first visit to Pakistan as Foreign Secretary.
The Foreign Secretary was asked a series of questions about Afghanistan, UK visa services in Pakistan, bilateral trade ties and the recent terror attacks against the Ahmaddiya community in Pakistan.
Read what Mr Hague was asked and answered below:
Source & Credit: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Ahmadiyya Times Staff | June 24, 2010
Mr Hague has answered questions posted by audiences on Twitter during his first visit to Pakistan as Foreign Secretary.
The Foreign Secretary was asked a series of questions about Afghanistan, UK visa services in Pakistan, bilateral trade ties and the recent terror attacks against the Ahmaddiya community in Pakistan.
Read what Mr Hague was asked and answered below:
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Pakistan: Facilitators of Ahmedis’ attacks arrested, report
...[B]oth men were the main facilitators of terrorists who not only provided
weapons and ammunition, but also escorted the terrorists when they had
arrived to carry out the attacks in Garhi Shahu and Model Town.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: Daily Times | Pakistan
By DT Staff | June 25, 2010 [
Facilitators of Ahmedis’ attacks arrested
LAHORE: A team of law enforcers, including personnel of intelligence agencies and police commandos, arrested two major suspects of the attacks on the Ahmedis’ worship places, sources told Daily Times on Thursday. They said both men were the main facilitators of terrorists who not only provided weapons and ammunition, but also escorted the terrorists when they had arrived to carry out the attacks in Garhi Shahu and Model Town.
Source & Credit: Daily Times | Pakistan
By DT Staff | June 25, 2010 [
Facilitators of Ahmedis’ attacks arrested
LAHORE: A team of law enforcers, including personnel of intelligence agencies and police commandos, arrested two major suspects of the attacks on the Ahmedis’ worship places, sources told Daily Times on Thursday. They said both men were the main facilitators of terrorists who not only provided weapons and ammunition, but also escorted the terrorists when they had arrived to carry out the attacks in Garhi Shahu and Model Town.
Faith and fairness: Responsibilities of unchained media
...[S]ome religious extremist declared him [Mian Nawaz Sharif]apostate just because he called
the Ahmedis his brothers and sisters. Some channels and most Urdu
newspapers printed statements against him in which the religious parties
asked him to apologise or be excommunicated from the realm of Islam.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Op/Ed
Source & Credit:Daily Times : Pakistan
By Babar Ayaz | June 22, 2010
Inciting people to violence in the name of religion, ethnic differences or against any other country is a cognisable offence. This law is not only violated by the bigoted mullah from the pulpits and through press statements, it is quite often disregarded by editors
Once upon a time, there used to be a thing called editorial judgement. With the advent of private sector electronic media, mushrooming of the print media and extreme shortage of experienced professional journalists, editorial judgement about what is printable or fit for telecast and what is not is scarcely exercised.
Source & Credit:Daily Times : Pakistan
By Babar Ayaz | June 22, 2010
Inciting people to violence in the name of religion, ethnic differences or against any other country is a cognisable offence. This law is not only violated by the bigoted mullah from the pulpits and through press statements, it is quite often disregarded by editors
Once upon a time, there used to be a thing called editorial judgement. With the advent of private sector electronic media, mushrooming of the print media and extreme shortage of experienced professional journalists, editorial judgement about what is printable or fit for telecast and what is not is scarcely exercised.
Pakistan: Taliban 'openly raising funds' in Pakistani Punjab
Source & Credit: BBC News | UK | June 23, 2010
By Shehzad Malik | BBC Urdu, Islamabad
A Pakistani intelligence report says militants are publicly raising funds in Punjab province, the BBC has learned.
The disclosure comes amid reports of an increased Taliban presence in this politically important province.
The report says at least 17 banned militant groups are operating in the province under different names.
They are raising donations through religious gatherings, certificate award ceremonies and meetings held in the name of social welfare, it says.
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The poster and banners, inciting hate against Ahmadis are seen throughout the Satellite Town and the surrounding areas and many show the ins... -
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I read somewhere that 'those who disagree with truth will persecute those who practice it.'
