Indonesia's 'individual jihadists' gaining ground

In an editorial, the Jakarta Globe said there was "no shortage of young people willing to take up the jihadist cause" and warned Indonesia is heading down a "very dangerous path".

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: MSN News | AFP
By Agence France-Presse | September 27, 2011

There was nothing sophisticated about the suicide bombing at an Indonesian church Sunday -- using homemade explosives packed with nails, nuts and bolts, the bomber killed only himself.

The attack was in stark contrast to the country's deadliest terrorist incident nine years ago, when the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) killed 202 people, mostly foreigners, in the highly planned Bali bombings.

With networks such as JI suffering serious damage in the face of a remarkably successful crackdown by Indonesian security forces, a new generation of loosely-connected jihadists has been left to step up.

"The weakening of the large organisations is something positive. Indonesia has done a pretty damn good job of basic law enforcement," International Crisis Group analyst Sidney Jones told AFP.

Pakistan: Blasphemy, blasphemy everywhere

I might have mentioned it before but would like to stress once again Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s quote, “You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state.” Surprisingly, even after inheriting such values of tolerance and coexistence, Pakistan’s track record is otherwise.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Times | Pakistan
By Gulmina Bilal Ahmad | September 30, 2011

The hate speech and rhetoric against religious minorities has done irreparable damage to our society. The so-called religious clerics have been responsible for such rhetoric and always manage to herd the poor and ignorant populace in the name of religion, while silencing any opposition by threatening retribution and dire consequences

The small, sleepy and largely unknown town of Havelian has made its way into the news these days due to the alleged incident of blasphemy that has stirred the town’s social fabric and created a rift between the Muslims and Christians settled in the area. From what has surfaced in news reports, it has been ascertained that a 13-year-old Christian girl belonging to the eighth grade erroneously misspelled the word ‘naat’, which means praise for holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Indonesia: Ahmadiyah onslaught 'hardest test' for RI democracy

Jakarta seemed to endorse bylaws in several regencies that have banned Ahmadiyah in their areas, despite the decentralization law clearly stating that religious affairs are an authority of the central government.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Post | Canberra
By Ati Nurbaiti | September 30, 2011

Indonesians used to glowing praise over the country's democratization were abruptly shamed with scenes of February's mob attack and brutal killing of three Ahmadis in Cikeusik, West Java, projected in the first session of annual talks on Indonesia in Canberra on Friday.

Although the mob assault was acknowledged as an extreme exception, speaker Greg Fealy said it reflected one of the "hardest tests" for Indonesian democracy.

Even though Ahmadis were the least-liked of Indonesia's minorities, "with no one important" defending them, in part given their exclusivity, Fealy said they were entitled to state protection guaranteed by the Constitution, more so because of the hostility against them.

India: Mullahs rake up Ahmadi issue

This is not the first time that India’s Muslim leaders have tried to rake up the Ahmadi issue. In April this year, C M Naim discussed this issue at length in his article ‘Learn From Pakistan’, published in the magazine Outlook.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: View Point | Online
By Amit Julka | September 30, 2011

The clerical class has tried to flog this dead horse from time to time. These actions betray both, the frustration of the clerical class, and their ineptitude

I often find the dichotomy of the oppressor and the oppressed baffling, for it underestimates a very key component of human nature, i.e. hypocrisy and double standards. People fail to understand that the tormented could easily turn into tormentors, given the context.

India’s Muslims are the country’s largest minority. Depending on your source, their numbers range between 160-200 million. However, the community has been subject to injustices of the state and society. Communal riots, encounter killings, poisonous Hindu right propaganda that tries to portray them as outsiders and cultural pollutants; they have seen it all.

Norway: Khalifa of Islam addresses member of the provincial assembly, Hamburg

"As a basic principle we believe that there is certainly no harm in having differences of opinion and religion. With reference to religion itself, I would say here that religion is a personal matter for every individual to decide for himself. No one has any right to interfere in this process."

Khalifa of Islam and Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community
addressing the members of the Green Party of the provincial assembly,
Hamburg who organised a special function at the historic Hamburg Town Hall
— the seat of government of Hamburg—under the title
“inter-religious dialogue”, 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | EU Desk
Source/Credit: The Review of Religions
By ROR | September 26, 2011

The Green Party of the provincial assembly, Hamburg organised a special function on 14th June 2011 at the historic Hamburg Town Hall—the seat of government of Hamburg—under the title “inter-religious dialogue”, in honour of Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba), Khalifatul Masih V, Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community,who was invited by the Green Party of Germany to deliver the keynote address.

Over 50 people attended the event, among them politicians, professors, jurists, religious leaders and journalists.

Notable figures in attendance included Ian Karan, ex-Finance Senator, province of Hamburg; Dr. Till Steffen, Member of the Provincial Assembly, Hamburg, Green Party; Filiz Demirel, Member of the Provincial Assembly, Hamburg, Green Party; Christa Goetsch, Member of the Provincial Assembly, Hamburg, Green Party; Prof. Wolfram Weisse, University of Hamburg; and Dr. Mohammed Khalifa from University of Hamburg.

USA: Waging Peace | Muslims for Life blood drive a success -- no thanks to Congressman King

How about that; Representative King is a big man when he has the power of the government behind him but sneaks off when he has to stand on his own. Isn't that one of the definitions of a bully?

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Gazette | Weblog
By Linda LeTendre | September 29, 2011

I am pleased to announce that the Muslims for Life project to collect 10,000 units of blood in honor of those who lost their lives in 9/11 has met that goal and with several blood drives yet to go they will more than exceed it.

A beautiful affirmation of life and unity if there ever was one.

Our own drive in Saratoga Springs netted 24 units, with 11 first time donors (the Red Cross says this is a big deal!). About 34 people came to try to donate and learned something about Islam in the process.

UK: Foreign Secretary calls on Iran to overturn Iranian Church leader's death sentence

"I pay tribute to the courage shown by Pastor Nadarkhani who has no case to answer and call on the Iranian authorities to overturn his sentence.” [William Hague, UK Foreign Secretary]

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: UK Government
By UK Gov | September 28, 2011
Edited by Ahmadiyya Times | Imran Jattala

Foreign Secretary William Hague has spoken following reports that Iranian Church Leader Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani faces a death sentence after refusing an order to recant his faith.

Speaking today the Foreign Secretary said:

“I deplore reports that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian Church leader, could be executed imminently after refusing an order by the Supreme Court of Iran to recant his faith. This demonstrates the Iranian regime’s continued unwillingness to abide by its constitutional and international obligations to respect religious freedom. I pay tribute to the courage shown by Pastor Nadarkhani who has no case to answer and call on the Iranian authorities to overturn his sentence.”

Pakistan: The suicide path | I.A Rehman

The excesses against the Ahmedis are on the increase. Every now and then an Ahmedi is killed for his belief. The intimidation and harassment of an Ahmedi couple who burnt their savings to set up a college in Duniyapur, in Lodhran district of Punjab, continues unabated.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By I.A Rehman | September 29, 2011

The latest is a movement for a complete social boycott of Ahmedis in Pachnand, Chakwal district, that includes expulsion of Ahmedi boys and girls from schools, boycott of Ahmedi shops and refusal to allow them seats on buses.

A SERIES of atrocities recently committed against members of minority communities shows that the canker of sectarian violence is posing for Pakistan a much greater threat than is generally realised, especially by the establishment.

The killing of 29 Shia pilgrims near Mastung set some kind of a record in bestiality; the innocent travellers were forced to alight from their bus, lined up and cut down in cold blood.

Pakistan: Blasphemy accusation and public mindset

A local maulana told the press that, regardless of intent, the word she had written instead was blasphemous and the punishment was deserved. But the repercussions were not limited to her; her mother, a nurse, was transferred out of their hometown.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By/From Editorial | September 29, 2011

ANOTHER reminder of how recklessly blasphemy accusations are levelled in Pakistan surfaced last week when a Christian eighth-grader was scolded, beaten and expelled for misspelling the word “na'at"

The 13-year-old girl explained to school authorities that she had made a mistake, but this was apparently of no consequence.

A local maulana told the press that, regardless of intent, the word she had written instead was blasphemous and the punishment was deserved. But the repercussions were not limited to her; her mother, a nurse, was transferred out of their hometown. Even if this was done for security reasons, the family will have to begin a new life in a new place, a choice they did not make.

Alabama - USA: Criminals offered choice of time in pews or the pokey

“Operation ROC resulted from meetings with church leaders. It was agreed by all the pastors that at the core of the crime problem was the erosion of family values and morals. We have children raising children and parents not instilling values in young people.”

Cable talk show host Keith Olberman has named Bay Minette Police Chief
Michael Rowland "The Worst Person in the World."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Religion News Service
By Connie Baggett | September 26, 2011

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (RNS) A new alternative sentencing program that offers first-time, nonviolent offenders a choice of a year in church or jail time and fines is drawing national attention, including fire from the American Civil Liberties Union.

“This policy is blatantly unconstitutional,” said Olivia Turner, executive director for the ACLU of Alabama. “It violates one basic tenet of the Constitution, namely that government can’t force participation in religious activity.”

But the local police chief who is heading up the week-old “Operation Restore Our Community” says no one is being forced to participate.

Florida - USA: Muslim Republican heckled as "terrorist"

The usually perfunctory approval process for BREC membership was changed at the meeting in order to publicly vet Hamze and to then vote on his application using a secret ballot. He was the only one of 11 candidates rejected.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Salon | War Room
By Justin Elliott | September 27, 2011

A Muslim activist seeking a position in the south Florida GOP was rejected 158-11 at a raucous meeting

A few weeks ago I profiled Nezar Hamze, a Muslim activist and Republican in south Florida whose quest to join a local GOP committee prompted accusations that he is un-American and that Islam is incompatible with the Constitution.

Last night, the Broward Republican Executive Committee met to consider Hamze's application to become a voting member, a meeting that ended with him being called a "terrorist' by hecklers and an unprecedented 158-11 vote to deny him membership.

The usually perfunctory approval process for BREC membership was changed at the meeting in order to publicly vet Hamze and to then vote on his application using a secret ballot. He was the only one of 11 candidates rejected.

USA: Facebook admits to privacy violations, tracking user activity

Facebook claims the cookies no longer send information while you are logged out of its site. If you are logged in to Facebook, the cookies  will still send the information, and they remain on your computer unless you manually delete them.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Mail | UK
By Daniel Bates | September 28, 2011

'We didn't mean to track you' says Facebook as social network giant admits to 'bugs' in new privacy row

Facebook has admitted that it has been watching the web pages its members visit – even when they have logged out.

In its latest privacy blunder, the social networking site was forced to confirm that it has been constantly tracking its 750million users, even when they are using other sites.

The social networking giant says the huge privacy breach was simply a mistake - that software automatically downloaded to users' computers when they logged in to Facebook 'inadvertently' sent information to the company, whether or not they were logged in at the time.

Faith and Honesty: Another Face of Tahir ul Qadri

A piece celebrating his petitions to the Federal Sharia Court of Pakistan – which imposed, amongst other examples of legislation, the imposition of the death penalty for blasphemy and reintroduction of stoning to death as a form of punishment – previously was present on the MuQ website...

Tahirul Qadri's followers in Pakistan seen prostrating at the his feet

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Harry's Place | Blog
By Alec | September 28th 2011

Tahir ul-Qadri is a Pakistani Barlevi (and, therefore, Sufi*) jurist who founded and heads the Minhaj ul Quran Foundation (MuQ) which has a minor following and some dozen mosques in the UK. Last year, I noted he had issued a fatwa against such suicide terrorism, and was vaguely pleased.

Although I had not then heard of him, the idea of any Islamic jurist with Government approval and support (which he does have) promoting an argument against such murderous violence seemed welcome. What sticks in my craw about the official initiatives over the past decade and a half to open lines of communication with observant Muslims is a mixture of ignorance of and wilful blindness to statements and beliefs which are wholly incompatible with life in an inclusive, liberal democracy.

Pakistan, Islam face danger from Islamists, says daughter of slain Punjab Governor Salman Taseer

The international community can help Pakistan by offering a counter-narrative to extremism in addition to weapons to combat terrorists. The government, for its part, should strive to create economic opportunities for the people and work to reform madrassas.

Gov. Taseer's killer received hero's welcome and bouquets of flowers

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: CentralAsiaOnline.com
By Qasim Yousafzai | June 28, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Islam’s greatest threat comes from those who claim to be serving it – extremist militants, Shehrbano Taseer, daughter of slain Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, said June 27.

Shehrbano said that militants, whom she repeatedly called “hate mongers,” have misinterpreted Islam. “Islam is a peaceful religion,” she said.

Her father died for “a progressive Pakistan and moderate Islam, she said. In a speech titled “My Father Died for Pakistan” at the Middle East Institute in Washington, she called extremism a mindset that poses a great danger to Pakistan.

Shehrbano expressed the hope militants would not ultimately succeed by killing individuals like her father, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Shahbaz Bhatti, but warned, “The militants are successful now.”

America’s Shambles in Afghanistan | The Price Paid By Pakistan

“The military campaign in Afghanistan was not specifically mandated by the UN – there was no specific Security Council Resolution authorising the invasion – but was widely (although not universally) perceived to be a legitimate form of self-defence under the UN Charter.”

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Counter Punch | Weekend Edition.
By Brian Cloughley | September 23, 2011

In the course of research for a paper on US-Pakistan relations I came across a speech given by President Obama in March this year, titled  ‘A New Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan’.  It was interesting and quite informative, if misguided and engagingly ingenuous, but the riveting sentence that leapt from the page to my astonished eyes was the declaration that  “The United States of America did not choose to fight a war in Afghanistan.”

It’s a bit like being told  “Hitler didn’t cause World War Two”, or reading a newspaper headline like  “Republican Politician Tells Truth” or “Netanyahu Says Arabs are Human”  But the Obama assertion was even more bizarre.

Indonesia: Church bombing sparks fears of escalation in religious violence

The attack prompted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to give a televised address to the nation last night, in which he acknowledged that terrorism remains a grave threat in Indonesia and suggested that the bomber was likely linked to jihadist groups.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Open Democracy | Excerpt
By Josephine Whitaker | September 26, 2011

Indonesian church bombing sparks fears of increasing religious violence. Guangdong riots over ‘landgrabs’. US drone crashes in Kismayo, Somalia. Fresh clashes hit southern Philippines . Shooting at ‘CIA station’ in Kabul. All this and more in today’s security briefing...

Twenty people were injured in a suspected suicide bombing at a church in Central Java, Indonesia, shortly after the Sunday service ended yesterday, sparking fears that such violence could spread.

The bomber, reported to have been disguised as a church-goer at the Bethel Injil church in Kepunton, Solo, is believed to have been the only fatality of the attack. Although no group has yet claimed responsibility, national police spokesman Anton Bachrul Alam said today that DNA results confirming the identity of the bomber are expected tomorrow.

UK: Communication regulater Ofcom raps Takbeer TV for "inciting violence"

Ofcom was sufficiently concerned about this content to ask the Licensee to attend a meeting in April 2011 to explain its compliance arrangements. Takbeer TV has been put on notice however that any further breaches of the Code in this area will lead to Ofcom considering a statutory sanction.

Anti-Ahmadiyya cleric Tahirul Qadri seen on this Takbeer TV prog.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | EU Desk
Source/Credit: Biz Asia | News | UK
By Lakhvinder Baddhan | September 28, 2011

Islamic religious channel, Takbeer TV has had a severe telling-off by Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, for "inciting violence" in one of its shows against another Muslim group.

Ofcom received complaints from the Ahmadiyya religious community. This is a comparatively small Islamic movement founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad if Qadian, India, that grew out of mainstream Islam in the nineteenth century, whose followers believe themselves to be true Muslims. Followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad are known as Ahmadis or Qadianis or Ahmadiyya.

Complainants considered that the programmes variously consisted of abusive content about Ahmadis and Mirza Ghulam Ahmad; or incited hatred and violence towards the Ahmadiyya community.

USA: 'Ground Zero mosque' opens with no protests as art exhibit of world's kids goes on display

NYChildren, as the exhibit was titled, was as much a tribute to New York City's diversity as a display of mere photographs. It includes snapshots of a city children representative of 160 ethnicities from around the world.

Photo: RT America

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Daily News
By Mike Jaccarino | September 22, 2011

The so-called Ground Zero mosque, where proponents of religious freedom clashed with conservative pols and the families of 9/11 victims for nearly two years, opened Wednesday without controversy.

Instead of protesters, who tried to shut down the Park51 center several times, spectators milled about the center before entering to view a photographic exhibition.

NYChildren, as the exhibit was titled, was as much a tribute to New York City's diversity as a display of mere photographs. It includes snapshots of a city children representative of 160 ethnicities from around the world.

The photographs were compiled by a 44-year-old Jewish shutterbug from Brooklyn, Danny Goldfield.

Pakistan: Hate campaign against family of girl accused of blasphemy

The error led to accusations of blasphemy against Bhatti and uproar among Muslim religious leaders. Though she apologised, Bhatti was expelled from school and her mother, Sarafeen Bhatti, a staff nurse at the POF Hospital in Havelian, was transferred to the Wah Cantonment Hospital.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Statesman | News
By Press Trust of India | September 26, 2011

ISLAMABAD, 26 SEPT: A hate campaign has been launched against the family of a teenage Christian girl accused of blasphemy and expelled from school in the northern Pakistani town of Havelian, a media report said today.

An SMS campaign against the family of Faryal Bhatti has created panic among the 12 other Christian families living in the Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF) colony at Havelian near Abbottabad.

Bhatti, an eighth grade student of Sir Syed Girls' High School, misspelt the word 'naat' (hymn) as 'laanat' (curse) in an Urdu examination last week.

She made the mistake while answering a question on a poem written in praise of Prophet Mohammed.

Iran: Execution for Apostasy Seems Imminent

...[E]vangelical Pastor Nadarkhani was sentenced to death for apostasy because he converted to Christianity. He had been tried and found guilty a year ago, even though the court also found that he had never been a practicing Muslim as an adult.

File photo: Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani with family

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: National Review Online
By Nina Shea | September 26, 2011

The American interfaith delegation — Catholic cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Episcopal bishop John Bryson Chane, and Council on American Islamic Relations director Nihad Awad — who made headlines when they traveled to Tehran and secured the release of the two American hikers last week should pack their bags again. They need to make a return trip. And they better hurry.

As early as this week, the British-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports, Iran may execute Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani for refusing to recant his Christian faith.

As my colleague Paul Marshall recently wrote, evangelical Pastor Nadarkhani was sentenced to death for apostasy because he converted to Christianity. He had been tried and found guilty a year ago, even though the court also found that he had never been a practicing Muslim as an adult. Nadarkhani, from Rasht, on the Caspian Sea, converted to Christianity as a teenager.

Pakistan: Ahmadi students threatened by extremist religious groups, government turns blind eye again

A campaign against Ahmadi students, particularly women students, has been ongoing, especially in vocational and professional institutions, colleges and universities. Ahmadis are accused of being "the worst enemies of Islam and Pakistan."

File photo: Punjab Medical College Ahmadi student expulsion 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Asia Desk
Source/Credit: Asian Human Rights Commission
By AHRC-STM-129-2011 | September 28, 2011

PAKISTAN: Ahmadi students are under threat from the extremist religious groups and Pakistani government has turned a blind eye again

Malice, hatred and discrimination against Ahmadi Muslim students in Pakistan are part of a wider scheme to cripple Ahmadis educationally, economically and socially.

Ahmadis were declared a non Muslim minority in Pakistan by the amendment in the Constitution and they cannot perform their religious duties in open places, nor can they declare themselves Muslims. And even then, they cannot enjoy the rights of the minorities as guaranteed in the Constitution of Pakistan.

A campaign against Ahmadi students, particularly women students, has been ongoing, especially in vocational and professional institutions, colleges and universities. Ahmadis are accused of being "the worst enemies of Islam and Pakistan." It is a common practice by miscreants to paste highly slanderous and provocative posters on walls in the universities and colleges.

It is not long ago that 15 Ahmadi female students and 8 male students were rusticated from the Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The Ahmadi female students were particularly targeted and pressurised to choose between faith and career. All this is an organised campaign, conducted allegedly by the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), a student branch of Jamat-e-Islami, a fundamentalist Islamic political and religious party.

Canada: Imam discusses women's rights and Islam

Mirza, who lived in the United States after leaving Pakistan and who now lives in Ontario, said some perceptions of Islam can be incorrect when viewed through western media outlets.

Photo: Terrace Standard 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Terrace Standard | BC Local news
By Terrace Standard |  September 27, 2011

MUSLIM WOMEN need not wear veils or a full-length burka as a sign of their faith, a Muslim imam told a small gathering here last week.

Muhammad Afzal Mirza from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, which holds annual gatherings throughout the northwest, said veils and burkas represent more of a cultural issue in some Muslim countries.

“They don’t do that because Islam says so,” said Mirza. “That’s a cultural issue. Their leaders used Islam to give them control,” he added of places where veils and burkas are mandated for women appearing in public.

In the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, one of the smaller branches of the Islamic faith, Mirza said 99.9 per cent of its female members do not wear a veil.

Pakistan: Blasphemy for 8th graders

There is absolutely no justification whatsoever to force someone to learn the prayers of another in the name of education. It is fundamental violation of their rights as an individual. It is a guaranteed right based in the Constitution of Pakistan.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Express Tribune
By Anthony Permal | September 27, 2011

An 8th grader was accused for blasphemy for misspelling the word 'naat'.

If we were wondering whether Pakistan could sink any lower as a nation where morals are concerned, I must say we definitely exceeded our expectations this past week.

All issues related to the blasphemy law and its effect on the fabric of the current mindset in Pakistan can probably take a backseat to the idiocy that raised its head this week. In a spate of vivid defence of religion against the evil world, a teacher accused a 13-year-old Christian girl of blasphemy, alleging that a misspelt word had turned from praise to curse.

Of course, the initial reaction from all corners within and outside the country was predictable:

Pakistan: School expels Christian girl for blasphemy

The government says it has no intention of reforming Pakistan’s tough anti-blasphemy law, introduced in 1986, despite the assassinations of a leading politician in January and a Christian cabinet minister in March.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Khaleej Times
By AFP | September 26, 2011

ISLAMABAD — A Pakistani school expelled a 13-year-old Christian girl for alleged blasphemy and her mother was transferred from her job as a nurse near the town where Osama bin Laden was killed, officials said Monday.

The conservative Muslim country has been increasingly criticised in the West for tough anti-blasphemy laws that make defaming Islam punishable by death and over the persecution of the tiny non-Muslim minority.

Faryal Tauseef, an eighth grade student at Sir Syed High School in the northwest garrison town of Havelian, was asked with her class to define “naat”, a style of poem written in praise of the Prophet Mohammed.

The town is just south of Abbottabad, the garrison city where US special forces killed the Al-Qaeda leader in a covert raid on May 2, which exposed the Pakistan military to accusations of incompetence or complicity.

Indonesia: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono acts on church bombing in Centra Java

The bomb was detonated outside the Bethel Gospel Church, Kepunton, about 11am yesterday as worshippers emerged from a service, killing the bomber and seriously injuring two people.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit:The Australian
By Peter Alford | September 26, 2011

INDONESIAN President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered counter-terrorism police to investigate after a suicide bomber killed himself and injured about 20 others outside a church in Solo, Central Java.

The bomb was detonated outside the Bethel Gospel Church, Kepunton, about 11am yesterday as worshippers emerged from a service, killing the bomber and seriously injuring two people. Up to 20 people were taken to hospital, but most had minor injuries.

The bomber had not been identified but police secured a nearby Catholic church, as Dr Yudhoyono called for an investigation by the counter-terrorism unit, Densus 88.

Co-ordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto said the President condemned the attack as terrorism. "Nothing can justify this inhuman act," General Djoko told a Solo radio station. "It is the task of everybody to overcome this act of terrorism."

Kazakhstan: "To prepare the public for a discriminatory new law"

Intrusive information demands: "In connection with the weekly monitoring of religious communities in Karaganda Region, you need to notify the Karaganda Department of the ARA of your activities...meetings, services and the places of meetings, topics of speeches and sermons, their purpose, as well the audio-video materials and printed materials used".

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | EU Desk
Source/Credit: Forum 18 News Service
By Mushfig Bayram | September 20, 2011

Officials of Kazakhstan's Agency of Religious Affairs (ARA), the state-backed Muslim Board, "anti-sect" personnel, and local administrations have held public meetings praising the so-called "traditional religions" and attacking so-called "non-traditional religions". The ruling Nur Otan political party has also held similar meetings.

ARA regional departments and local administrations across Kazakhstan have also demanded that members of religious minorities provide detailed information on their activities – sometimes on a weekly basis. Former state religious affairs officials, who wished to remain unnamed, have told Forum 18 News Service that religious communities should not be divided into categories such as "traditional" and "non-traditional". One commented that "the word 'non-traditional' gives the public a negative image".

An Ahmadi Muslim, who wished to remain unnamed for fear of state reprisals, told Forum 18 that they thought that the campaign is to "prepare the public for a discriminatory new Law". Protestants have also suggested that this is the motivation. Tomorrow (21 September) Forum 18 understands that the first reading of two laws restricting freedom of religion or belief is due to take place in the country's Parliament.

Kazakhstan: "A new wave of persecution has begun once more"

The punishments for religious activity came as Kazakhstan prepares to adopt two draconian new Laws which violate the country's international human rights obligations. The two new Laws were approved at "unprecedented" speed in Parliament's Lower House, the Majilis.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | EU Desk
Source/Credit:Forum 18 News Service
By Felix Corley | September 27, 2011

Unless Viktor Gutyar succeeds in his appeal, he expects the administrative fine of nearly ten months' minimum wage for leading an unregistered religious community to be docked from his wages as a coalminer. He was not even present when his church in Satpaev in central Kazakhstan was raided on Sunday morning, 11 September.

His was one of five Baptist congregations raided in Karaganda Region in September, including a Harvest Festival in Zhezkazgan attended by 150 people raided by police and riot police on Sunday 25 September. "A new wave of persecution," is how one Baptist described it. "They refuse to register in accordance with our Religion Law, so it's their problem," Mereke Myrzabekova of Zhezkazgan's Internal Policy Department told Forum 18. She admitted they would not have been raided had they been watching football or drinking vodka together "because that's not religion".

Pakistan: Taliban fear forcing tribal girls to join seminaries: HRCP

The report said not a single girl got admission to 9th class in Bajaur, FR Kohat and FR Lakki Marwat during 2009-10 due to Taliban threats, while degrees colleges of Bajaur, FR Lakki Marwat and FR Peshawar reported no admission by girls during the said period on the same grounds.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By  Sadia Qasim Shah | September 25, 2011

PESHAWAR, Sept 24: Poverty and fear of the Taliban have forced most girls in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas into joining seminaries, says a Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report.

The report compiled by HRCP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter for the year 2009-10 and seen by Dawn on Saturday discussed the status of women rights and problems in the restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

It said corporal punishment was common in seminaries for girls without let or hindrance. The report said insecurity was the major concern of Fata women from religious minorities.It warned that religious extremism might increase as the Taliban had banned formal education for girls in the tribal areas.

Norway: Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Visits Norwegian Parliament

His Holiness presented the various MPs with a gift of a miniature model of the new Mosque of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Norway which will soon be officially opened. In response one of the MPs commented that the new mosque was a beautiful building.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: AMC - UK
By Press Release | September 27, 2011

President Terje Anderson welcomes Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad to Norway. 'The message of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has always been a total opposition to all forms of extremism and terrorism'.

Earlier today, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad visited Norway’s National Parliament, the Storting, in Oslo. His Holiness, was greeted by a number of national MPs and was given a tour of the Storting, before having a private meeting with President Terje Anderson in the Presidential Office.

Tanzania: Dar mayor opens Ahmadiyya meet, roots for harmony

Amir and Missionary in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat-Tanzania, Sheikh Tahir Mohmood Chaudhry, said since its inception way back in 1930s, the community had been cooperating with different religions, government and the general public in speeding up social and economic development.

Dar es Salaam City mayor Dr Didas Masaburi

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: IPP Media | Guardian
By The guardian reporter | September 26, 2011

Dar es Salaam City mayor Dr Didas Masaburi has urged religious leaders in the country to pray for peace and harmony in the country and Africa in the wake of numerous uprisings which have resulted into violent conflicts.

He made the remarks at the weekend when he opened the 42th annual meeting of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat-Tanzania held at Chamazi in Temeke, Dar es Salaam region, which brought together Ahmadiyya community members and representatives of other religions as well as organisations.

The meeting was convened to discuss issues related to strengthening peace, tranquility and instilling the culture of tolerance among society members in the country.

Pakistan: Hate campaign launched against family of Christian girl accused of blasphemy

"Although we have been living peacefully with the Muslim community for three decades, following this episode no one can say with any guarantee what they (Muslims) are harbouring in their minds now."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Indian Express
By AFP | September 26, 2011

Islamabad : A hate campaign has been launched against the family of a teenage Christian girl accused of blasphemy and expelled from school in the northern Pakistani town of Havelian, a media report said today.

An SMS campaign against the family of Faryal Bhatti has created panic among the 12 other Christian families living in the Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF) colony at Havelian near Abbottabad.

Bhatti, an eighth grade student of Sir Syed Girls' High School, misspelt the word 'naat' (hymn) as 'laanat' (curse) in an Urdu examination last week.

She made the mistake while answering a question on a poem written in praise of Prophet Mohammed.

Indonesia: Police Link Church, Mosque Bombings

"There are individuals within the network that really really want to do real jihad, action jihad, and what they need is a trigger and Ambon is a clear trigger for this."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: | Voice of America | News
By Kate Lamb | Jakarta | September 26, 2011

A suicide bomb attack on a church in Central Java, Indonesia, Sunday is raising new concerns over sectarian violence. Following a string of religious hate crimes against Christians and minority groups across the country this year, analysts blame splinter jihadists for Sunday’s attacks.

Witnesses said the suicide bomber mingled among the crowd at Bethel Injil Sepenuh Christian Church in Kepunton, Solo, before detonating the bomb that killed himself and wounded at least 20 others.

National police spokesman Anton Bachrul Alam says DNA results confirming the identity of the bomber will be released Tuesday.

Exposing Dr. Tahir-ul Qadri | The Rest of the Story

"I am almost certain that the author of the ... article ["Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri’s ‘Peace & Humanity Conference’ is a ray of hope"] knows nothing of Qadri’s dark past. But the continued promotion of Tahir-ul-Qadri, even though the facts about him are readily available, proves that we in the West are so desperate for the emergence of a moderate Islamic voice that we will grasp at any fellow who preaches tolerance and understanding, even when his record shows that he has previously believed in and practiced neither." [Joseph K.]

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: | Harry's Place | Blog
By Imran Jattala / Joseph K. | September 25, 2011

Recently a post entitled "Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri’s ‘Peace & Humanity Conference’ is a ray of hope" appeared in Harry's Place (HP), a blog at HurryUpHarry.com.

Dr. Qadri, famous for his opportunistic style for garnering religious followers, has been appearing in the media trying to play nice with the West. Recently, for example, he surprised many by conforming to the same Jihad definition that the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Dr. Qadri's cheif targets of hate) have been promoting for over one hundred years and Dr. Qadri's blatant use of Ahmadiyya perspective on Jihad made the news in the Urdu media in North America.

Having done wonder's in the 'service of Islam,' such as indoctrination of his followers, especially the youth, into extremism, establishment and strengthening of Pakistan's notorious Blasphemy laws, intensification of Pakistan's infamous Haad laws, Dr. Qadri now tells the West - with a straight face - he is against terrorism.

Saudi Arabia: Naif opens Takfir conference in Madinah

...[T]he conference aims to identify the reasons for the dangerous phenomenon of Takfir in order to find effective solutions to tackle it. He said prominent scholars from the Kingdom and abroad would present research papers on the topic.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Arab News | KSA
By Yousub Muhammad | September 20, 2011

MADINAH: Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif opened an international conference on "The Phenomenon of Takfir (branding opponents as infidels)...Reasons, Impact and Treatment" here on Tuesday.

Earlier on arrival at the conference venue, Prince Naif was greeted by Prince Saud bin Naif, adviser to Prince Naif and assistant interior minister for general affairs, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed, governor of Madinah, and other senior officials.

Pakistan: School expels 13-year-old girl for blasphemy, mother forced to leave town

The government says it has no intention of reforming Pakistan’s anti-blasphemy law, introduced in 1986, despite the assassinations of a leading politician in January and a Christian cabinet minister in March.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Dawn | Pakistan
By AFP | September 26, 2011

ISLAMABAD: A school expelled a 13-year-old Christian girl for alleged blasphemy and her mother was transferred from her job as a nurse near Abbottabad, officials said Monday.

Faryal Tauseef, an eighth grade student at Sir Syed High School in the northwestern town of Havelian, was asked with her class to define “naat”, a style of poem written in praise of the Prophet Mohammad.

The town is just south of Abbottabad, the city where US special forces killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a covert raid on May 2.

North Carolina - USA: Muslim group sponsors community blood drive

That is why we have the campaign, Muslims for Peace. We believe that if you kill one life, it is like killing the whole community. We want to keep up a constant interfaith dialogue that encourages individuals to do good work.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: The Cary News
By Anne Woodman | September 25, 2011

Q&A:

Changing the image of September from taking life to giving life might seem a tall order, but it's an effort that Zia and Najmi Azam believe in.

The Azams and their local worship community, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC), have organized a blood drive as a prayerful way of demonstrating their community's support of prayer, interfaith communication and community acts.

On Monday from 3 to 7 p.m., the Rex Bloodmobile will set up outside their downtown Cary prayer center.

Pakistanization of Indonesia: Suicide bombing at Indonesian church injures 22

Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim nation of 237 million, has been hit by a string of suicide bombings blamed on the al-Qaida-linked network Jemaah Islamiyah and its offshoots since 2002, when a strike on two Bali nightclubs killed 202 people, most of them foreign tourists.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: MSNBC | AP | News
By Slamet Riyadi | September 25, 2011

SOLO, Indonesia — A suicide bomber blew himself up inside an Indonesian church as hundreds of worshippers were filing out after the Sunday service, injuring at least 22 people, police said.

The bomber's mangled body lay at the entrance of the Tenth Bethel Gospel Church. Around him, screaming people were splattered in blood.

Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo said the low-intensity device appeared to be attached to the man's stomach.

"We are now waiting for DNA test results to confirm his identity," Pradopo said. "We hope to reveal it soon."

Pakistan: Rape of Christian women a "common practice" in Punjab

A 32 year old woman and mother of five children was abducted and raped in turn by three men. Threats to the husband to force him to withdraw his complaint. Police officers covering the crime, drawing up a report full of holes. Priest in Lahore: Christian violence against women is widespread and scandalous.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Asia News
By Jibran Khan | September 25, 2011

Punjab: armed Muslims rape a Christian, a "common practice"

Lahore (AsiaNews) – The rape of Christian women in Punjab has become a "common practice" an "outrageous" phenomenon compounded by the fact that "the police protect the guilty" and not the victims. This is the bitter synopsis of Fr Jill John, of the Diocese of Lahore on the last recorded case of sexual violence against a Christian mother. The family calls for justice, but is struggling against a society in which the defenders of the law support the rapists. Even human rights groups like Masihi Life for All Foundation have intervened on the matter, asking government authorities to target the perpetrators of crimes and punish the corrupt and conniving police officers.

Pakistan: An eighth grader girl accused of blasphemy for a spelling error

Faryal was not the only one who got in trouble for her [blaspheming] spelling error, however, as her mother, Sarafeen Bhatti, who was a staff nurse at the POF Hospital Havelian for several years, was immediately transferred to POF Wah Cantonment Hospital.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Express Tribune
By Muhammad Sadaqat | September 25, 2011

ABBOTTABAD: It may have been a mere misplaced dot that led to accusations of blasphemy against a Christian eighth-grader, whose miniscule error led to her expulsion from school and uproar amongst local religious leaders.

Faryal Bhatti, a student at the Sir Syed Girls High School in Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) colony Havelian, erroneously misspelt a word in an Urdu exam while answering a question on a poem written in praise of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The word in question was ‘laanat’ instead of ‘naat’ – an easy error for a child to make, as the written versions of the words are similar.

According to the school administration and religious leaders who took great exception to the hapless student’s mistake, the error is ‘serious’ enough to fall within the realm of blasphemy, Saturday.

Spelling out her punishment

On Thursday, Faryal’s Urdu teacher was collecting the answer sheets from her students when she noticed the apparently offensive word on her pupil’s sheet.

Germany: Three good reasons to run along | Ahmadiyya sponsor charity run

Those who want to join, have several routes to choose from. For runners, there is a ten-kilometer distance and for walking, hiking or Nordic walking, five kilometers routs are available.

File photo: 2010 charity event 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | EU Desk
Source/Credit: Wiesbadener-Tagblatt
By wiesbadener-tagblatt | September 24, 2011

CHARITY - Ahmadiyya gathering for social projects 

WIESBADEN: For the fifth time the youth organization of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has organized a charity run to Wiesbaden on Sunday, 9th October.

As in Offenbach, or in Gross-Gerau, the organizers want to win as many sports enthusiasts to run for a good cause.

All proceeds this year will go to "Zwerg Nase" and "Bärenherz", and also to the "Humanity First" organization, which operates as an orphanage in Benin.

Its patron is the Lord Mayor Helmut Mueller.

USA: Muslims collect blood in memory of 9/11 victims

The nationwide campaign hopes to collect 10,000 units of blood by the end of September and to reiterate the message that Islam values the sanctity of life. Blood drives are held at mosques and prayer centers across the nation, and in collaboration with community organizations around the country.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Access GA
By  Ken Stanford | September 25, 2011

PENDERGRASS - A nationwide campaign by a Muslim group to collect blood to help mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11 came to Jackson County Saturday.

Muslims for Life is the theme of the month-long campaign and the Pendergrass Flea Market is one of several places in Georgia where the blood drives are being conducted. But, Hazeem Pudhiapura, president of the Georgia chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, admits that some people seem taken aback at the thought of Muslims collecting blood in the name of 9/11.

However, he says most seem to become more receptive when they are told that many Muslims believe like they do - in the "sanctity of life" and reject radical Muslim elements.

USA: In southwest Portland, Muslim community schedules blood drive

Harris Zafar, the Portland community's outreach coordinator, writes in a news release that the community nationwide "wanted to do something extraordinary for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: The Oregonian
By Anne Saker | September 24, 2011

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is conducting a blood drive Saturday, Oct. 1, with the American Red Cross at the Portland Rizwan Mosque, 9925 SW 35th Drive.

Harris Zafar, the Portland community's outreach coordinator, writes in a news release that the community nationwide "wanted to do something extraordinary for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11."

The plan has been to collect 10,000 units of blood in September. So far, 8,000 units have been collected in 160 cities.

The local chapter held blood drives on Sept. 5, and the Oct. 1 drive is the last push to the national goal.

The drive at the mosque runs from 8 .m. to 1 p.m.

-- Anne Saker, Twitter @dwtnPDXreporter


Read original post here: In southwest Portland, Muslim community schedules blood drive

India: Protest against Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat exhibition on Quran | Jama Masjid Shahi Imam, supporters detained

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat's Delhi president Dawood Ahmad said the exhibition was welcomed by people from all walks of life. “It showcased teachings of the holy Quran on various themes, such as Islam and science, women rights, human rights and jihad.”

Photo: V. Sudershan

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: The Hindu
By The Hindu | September 25, 2011

“Don't meddle with Quran”: Muslim Personal Law Board members protesting outside the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Saturday against the exhibition on teachings of the Quran.

Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari and his supporters were detained at Darya Ganj on Saturday for allegedly organising a protest without permission against an exhibition on the Quran organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat at the Constitution Club of India here.

The organisers wound up the exhibition following requests by the Delhi Police in view of apprehensions of further protests. The Shahi Imam and his supporters were passing through Delhi Gate when the police intercepted them. “They did not have prior permission. When they insisted on going ahead, they were detained. The 56 people who were detained were released three hours later,” said a police officer.

India: Ahmadiyyas’ Quran exhibition cut short by protests, extremist leader detained

"This is an unfortunate incident. We were trying to raise awareness on the teachings of the Quran among all. This is a propanganda against us. It was a good opportunity for everybody to see and know for themselves what Quran teaches." 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Indian Express
By Maroosha Muzaffar | Sep 25 2011

New Delhi : Three-day exhibition of Quran in 53 languages closed on Day 2, 56 detained at Daryaganj police station

The three-day Quran exhibition put up by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat-Delhi at the Constitution Club was cut short on Saturday, the second day of exhibition, after protests by Muslims.

The exhibition showcased the Holy Quran in 53 languages, translated by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. It was scheduled to be held from September 23 to 25, between 11 am and 8 pm daily. The organisers put up a board reading ‘Exhibition Closed’ outside the main entry around 2.15 pm on Saturday.

A contingent of police, some in riot gear, was also deployed at the spot.

Switzerland: Friday prayers start 29th Ahmadiyya Muslim Annual Convention

It was peaceful here on Friday morning in a small ‘tent city’ which the organizers have set up near their mosque they had established five years ago in Häusern.

The Friday Prayer: Opening event of the 29th Annual Meeting of the
Ahmadiyya Movement in Häusern in Wigoltingen. (Picture:: Reto Martin)

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | EU Desk
Source/Credit: Thurgauer Zeitung
By Esther Simon | September 24, 2011
Adopted from a crude translation generated by Google-Translate

The Ahmadiyya Movement holds the 29th Annual Convention and the organizers expect about a thousand visitors.

In Häusern area of Wigoltingen, consisting of about a dozen houses, a few tents have been added since yesterday.

Of the approximately 400,000 Muslims living in Switzerland, there are several thousand that belong to the "Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam," and they are very active.

The annual convention which began in Häusern yesterday is one of the highlights in their community activities.

Social Justice: J14 movement and the Israeli crossroads

...[T]here have been significant gains for Israeli civil society. For the first time in years, thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel have joined a grassroots movement which started in the Jewish middle class. After the 3 September rally, Palestinian Israeli leaders and parties even issued an official call of support for the protest.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Common Ground News Service (CGNews)
By Noam Sheizaf | September 20, 2011

Tel Aviv - People will differ about what instigated the protests, but they will agree on one thing: since a tiny group of Israelis in their 20s set up tents in the middle of the fashionable Rothschild Avenue in Tel Aviv calling for social justice, nothing has been the same. Tens of thousands took to the streets every Saturday for almost two months. The J14 movement (named, in the tradition of the Arab Spring, after the date of the first protest) held not only the largest demonstration in Israel's history, but also the biggest rallies ever in many of the cities and towns outside Tel Aviv.

The largest protest to date was on 3 September. Almost half a million Israelis took to the streets – more than 300 thousand of them in Tel Aviv – calling for "social justice" and a more equitable economy.

Saudi Arabia: Mecca for the rich: Islam's holiest site 'turning into Vegas'

To the al-Saud monarchy, Mecca is their vision of the future – a steel and concrete metropolis built on the proceeds of enormous oil wealth that showcases their national pride.

Photo: The Independent | UK

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: The Independent | UK
By Jerome Taylor | September 24, 2011

Historic and culturally important landmarks are being destroyed to make way for luxury hotels and malls, reports Jerome Taylor

Behind closed doors – in places where the religious police cannot listen in – residents of Mecca are beginning to refer to their city as Las Vegas, and the moniker is not a compliment.

Over the past 10 years the holiest site in Islam has undergone a huge transformation, one that has divided opinion among Muslims all over the world.

Once a dusty desert town struggling to cope with the ever-increasing number of pilgrims arriving for the annual Hajj, the city now soars above its surroundings with a glittering array of skyscrapers, shopping malls and luxury hotels.

To the al-Saud monarchy, Mecca is their vision of the future – a steel and concrete metropolis built on the proceeds of enormous oil wealth that showcases their national pride.

Yet growing numbers of citizens, particularly those living in the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina, have looked on aghast as the nation's archaeological heritage is trampled under a construction mania backed by hardline clerics who preach against the preservation of their own heritage. Mecca, once a place where the Prophet Mohamed insisted all Muslims would be equal, has become a playground for the rich, critics say, where naked capitalism has usurped spirituality as the city's raison d'être.

India: Ahmadiyyas Muslims face hardliners protest at peace mission in Delhi

When the organizers set up the exhibition on Friday morning , they put up display boards addressing issues of jihad , women's rights , science and globalization along withhandsome volumes of over 70 translations of the Quran.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Times of India
By Shreya Roy Chowdhury/TNN |  September 24, 2011

NEW DELHI: The Islamic concept of jihad is often misunderstood in the current times of war and terrorism . And Ahmadiyyas have organized an exhibition to tell the world about what they claimed to be the real message of Quran - peace and brotherhood .Throughtheir 'Holy Quran Exhibition' at Constitution Club, they said they wanted to change common perceptions .

This is perhaps one of the rare occasions when members of this sect, who face persecution in Pakistan , have come out to proclaim the inclusivity of their faith and answer querieson a wide rangeofissues . A 10-minute video on Islam's emphasis on peace and rejection of war is a highlight of the exhibition . "This is an effort by the Ahmadiyyas to tell society that Quran is for everybody ," says Sayed Salahuddin , a volunteer.

India: Hardliners say 'Stop, or else' - Ahmadiyya Exhibition on "Peaceful Teachings of Quran" denounced

If we start interfering in other people's religion as it is being done through this exhibition, then it would create a dangerous precedent in the country. This exhibition cannot be allowed at any cost. Today we are demonstrating peacefully, but if this exhibition continues then on Saturday there will be a bigger demonstration.”

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Hindu | India
ByMadhur TankhaSeptember 24, 2011

Protest by Muslim Law Board member and Shahi Imam's brother

NEW DELHI: A three-day exhibition on the teachings of the Quran by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jammat, Delhi, that opened at the Constitution Club here on Friday ran into trouble when All-India Muslim Personal Law Board member Kamaal Farooqui and Syed Yahya Bukhari, brother of the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, along with their supporters denounced the event for “wrongly interpreting the tenets of Islam and the holy Quran”.

Talking to the media outside the Constitution Club, Mr. Farooqui said since Ahmadiyyas have been branded as non-Muslims in Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and other Islamic countries they cannot mount an exhibition in which they have interpreted the teachings of the holy Quran.

“If we start interfering in other people's religion as it is being done through this exhibition, then it would create a dangerous precedent in the country. This exhibition cannot be allowed at any cost. Today we are demonstrating peacefully, but if this exhibition continues then on Saturday there will be a bigger demonstration,” he warned.

India: Quran exhibition called off after protests by Muslim hardliners

"We had to wrap up our exhibition after a protests from the hardliners. We were spreading the message of love, to tell the world that Quran is for everyone. But the hardliners don't want this."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: New Kerala
By IANS | September 24, 2011

New Delhi, Sep 24: An exhibition on Quran and the message of Islam being held here was called off Saturday mid-way through its schedule after facing protests from other Muslim groups.

The three-day exhibition was organised in the constitution club by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, a group of representatives of Ahmadiyyas sect of Muslims. The exhibition was supposed to end Sunday, however, following strong protests from majority of Muslim groups, led by the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari.

The exhibition was wrapped up after apprehensions of tension as Bukhari announced a protest. This also resulted in a brief detention of Bukhari, spurting up tension in the area of old Delhi.

“We had to wrap up our exhibition after a protests from the hardliners,” a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat told IANS.