Pakistan and rights for minorities

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, a minority in Pakistan, have been a very peaceful community since its inception in 1889. These ruthless attacks on two mosques when there were over 3,000 people combined in there were specifically targeted toward Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Though, this is one of the worst example of persecution against this community every year many members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community suffer and die due to persecution against them because of their faith.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. The Community believes God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. We were declared non Muslims in our own country in 1974 and in 1984 an ordinance passed, criminalizing any attempt to impersonate a Muslim with punishments as severe as death.

This incident has not just impacted people in Pakistan but all over the world, in America and here in Chicago. It is a close-knit community and many members knew directly or indirectly someone who became victim of these barbaric attacks.

Hence, I demand from our foreign minister, U.S. Counsel General in Pakistan along with others to pressurize Pakistani Government to improve the situation for members of this peaceful community in Pakistan. To achieve this Pakistani government need to review and change the inhumane laws and ordinance that promote persecution of minorities due to their religious believes.

Shahida Fozia Khan

Chicago