Incomprehensible. That is the only word I can use to express my feelings about the indifference of people, the authorities, and the media towards the attacks against the Ahmadi community in Lahore on Friday. Attacks that were carried out in broad daylight, killing over 90 people and injuring many others. Attacks that turned into a hostage situation with over 1500 people at risk of being killed or fatally injured.
I am disappointed that there is no one to protest and lament the killings, especially since the Ahmadi community seems to have been silenced by years of discrimination and persecution. I was six years old and attending a Quran class when the maulvi sahib blatantly refused to teach two of my friends, Maham and Rija. I remember his words, his eyes flaming with hate as he refused to let them sit in his class, or even touch ‘their’ Quran. I did not understand why no one protested, why they had chosen to leave the room silently, as if the hate and discrimination was expected. I found myself in the same dilemma on Friday, when after one of the largest attacks against them in the history of Pakistan, this was the only official statement issued on behalf of the Ahmadi community:
Despite what has happened no Ahmadi has taken to the streets in protest; no Ahmadi has displayed anything but patience. Instead we have turned towards God and prayed for the victims, for their bereaved relatives and for the long term peace and prosperity of Pakistan. We will continue with this example no matter what is thrown at us in the full certainty that God is with us and always will be.
The only reality check regarding this horrifying episode has come from a woman who was attending to one of the people wounded in Friday’s attacks. She refused to accept a bouquet from Interior Minister Rehman Malik, and went on to lambast him for inadequate security provisions at the sites of worship. It was indeed ironic to see dozens of security guards accompany the interior minister to his trip to the hospital to visit the survivors of Friday’s attacks. If only half of those were present to guard the two sites that came under attack, this incident could have been prevented, or, if nothing else, casualties could have been minimised. There is thus absolutely no justification for this act of negligence.
Meanwhile, the social networks have also been abuzz with outrage. Twitter, in particular, was flooded with messages of condemnation, shock, and horror. Many were disgusted by the way in which media outlets were describing the sites that were attacked as ‘worship places’ instead of ‘mosques.’ Others accused the media of downplaying the casualties. Someone remarked how a popular news channel’s comments suggesting ‘worship places should have their own security’ were derogatory and inhumane. There were debates on whether the media channels will count those killed as ‘martyrs,’ and if not, then why not?
Here’s the thing: I do not care whether those killed on Friday will be labeled martyrs or not. It does not make a difference to me whether the authorities have traced the terrorist outfit responsible for this attack. I remain enraged that most of us refuse to recognise the attacks as a human rights issue, and, most importantly, as a violation of minority rights. And by ‘most of us,’ I am referring to those of us who are neither politicians, scholars, clerics, or media personnel. I have lived in Pakistan long enough not to expect the authorities to be sensitive towards the real issues of the people. But the public framing of Friday’s attacks is about the underlying hate, discrimination, and religious bigotry that has been suffocating us for years. This is about those of us who choose to use religion to justify inhumanity despite the gory images showing attacks on innocent civilians.
There is no justification for killing unarmed civilians – no religion or legal system allows a bunch of people to take the law in their hands and carry out barbaric acts of terror.
Today, I must confess that I am scared of the uncertainties the future holds. I fear that this attack might be one of many to come. And most of all, I fear that another attempt will be similarly downplayed and labeled an act of terrorism, rather than a violation of minority rights. The stabbing of an Ahmadi man at Narowal on Monday further strengthens my fears, especially as the threats of the assailant to “not leave any Ahmadi alive” serve as uncanny reminders of state-sanctioned discrimination against the Ahmadi community.
I feel that in our attempts to prove ourselves so-called pious Muslims and patriotic Pakistanis we have left humanity far behind. Our sympathies have become political, and our humanity has been compromised. Somewhere in our tussle to become pioneers of Islam and the darling of the West, we have stopped being human. For every atrocity that unfolds around us, we have a home-made conspiracy theory, a religious justification, or a history lesson with which to identify the culprits. But amid this information overload, the atrocities go ignored, priorities remain distorted, and the massacre continues.
For every one who witnessed the horrendous killings of Ahmadis this past week, I have one question: how many Garhi Shahos and Gojras will it take for us to stop abusing religious beliefs to justify killing innocent people?
Sana Saleem is a Features Editor at BEE magazine and blogs at Global Voices, Pro-Pakistan her personal blog Mystified Justice. She tweets at twitter.com/sanasaleem.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
I think Pakistan and majority of Muslim countries consider their birth right to treat non Muslims as trash.
so the treatment meated out to ahmadiyyas is no surprise. most surprising thing was that no body was willing to call killed ahmadiyyas as martyrs. no Muslim politician even cared to visit their funeral. even that enlightened and so called ‘honest and fair’ person like Imran khan, who minces no words in criticizing the US and others when a Muslim is killed.
No wonder Dr. Abdus salaam was humiliatingly forced to leave Pakistan despite winning the greatest laurel for the nation.
If a particular religion orders its followers not to sit, talk, eat. etc etc etc with OTHERS then this is what one should and must expect.
No Ahmadi ever did any such thing as you write……We eat , sit, and even talk to everyone irrespective of religion……it is the OTHERS that don’t like to eat sit and talk to us……
Dear Sana
Thx for showing your concerns for our community and I must encourage you to keep the good work up..
I hope you also someone to write this kind of stuff in urdu as well, as majority in pakistan won´t read english newspapers.
X
Saadat
Asalam Aleikom
While I have deeply sympathy toward the family members of all Ahmadia who lost their lives in that terrorist attack I want to recall all you Pakistani brothers please think who create these Taliban who trained them.
@ Sana Saleem
Excellent article. Keep it up!
@ Tahir Rizvi
You called Ahmadis as minority. What will be your response if sometimes in future the Sunni Majority in Pakistan declare Shias as minority. God forbid, this should not happen.
I know there are Muslims who are “Zaanee”, “Qaatil”, “Mazaar Parast”, “killers of last three Khalifahs and Imam Hussain, believers of Hazrat Ali to be a prophet of Allah yet no one calls them a Non-Muslim or Kaafir. It is my feeling that regardless of what misleading things Mirza Ghulam Ahmad preached, it does not amount to Shirk or rejection of existence of Allah, His prophets (specially the Holy Prophet Mohammad) and His Books and the Day of Judgment. No one has a right to pronounce anyone as Non-Muslim or Kafir who says Kalima even if it is from lips only as only Allah knows what is in his heart. Have we Muslims exceeded the limits set by Allah to call one who recites Kalima, a Non-Muslim or Kafir?
The attack on Ahmadies is a disgrace for any free country and its people. The Ahmadies are a minority in Pakistan and every Pakistani should be ashamed of the situation when any minority in the country is persecuted. Every major religion including Islam guarantees safety and freedom of its minorities. Those responsible for this criminal act should be brought to justice as soon as possible. If we fail to respect the rights of our minorities then we are proving that we are not capable to be free people. Freedom is for those people/citizens who are capable of exercising the freedom in a responsible manner. Those who performed these disgraceful actions have neither served Islam nor the cause of freedom.
@ Tahir Rizvi
I agree with you Pakistan must protect its minority. But the main debate is here whether Ahmadis are Non-Muslims. I assume you are with those who consider them as Non-Muslims.
As I undestand Pakistan can prosecute an Ahmadi who says “Assalamo-Alaikum” to a Muslim. The fact is all over the world Arab Christians say “Assalamo-Alaikum” to Muslims and no Islamic country including Pakistan prosecute Christians, who are Non-Muslims, to say “Assalamo-Alaikum” to Muslims. What kind of “Jungle Law” is this that no Christians prosecuted but Ahmadis, who say the same kalimah like rest of us are prosecuted.
i had a sikh friend who was living in the same house as i did and every morning when he saw me he said Assalamo Alaikum Bhi Sahib. I often wondered what would be reaction of a moulvi if he heard this.
The Moulvi or Mullah will say “Yeh Qeyamat ki nishanee hai” (This is sign of Day of Judgment).
This article and the bloggers are missing a point here. The right of Ahmedies to live as a first class citizens of Pakistan, and the right of Ahmedies to call themselves Muslims, and Muslims as Kafir. I fully endorse the first right and condemn the killing. I do not endorse their right to call themselves Muslim and call me Kafir. I excercise my right to call them non-Muslim and that is the consensus of Muslims. Only non-Muslims recognize this right of Ahmedies to call me a Kafir.
What is wrong with being a Kafir? Allah seem to have blessed them with intelligence, technology, prosparity and practical senses and better work ethic. Being a Kafir cannot be as bad as you are perhaps taught
Mr. Farooqi..
If only you had read Quran and Hadith, you would know that you have NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER to call anyone else Non-Muslim if they say Kalima and believe that they are Muslim. For the record, no Ahmadi declares any one else Kaafir… we are taught better than that. Only Allah is the judge of what is in anyone’s heart.
Farooqi Sb,
Who gave you the divine right to call someone Muslim or non-Muslim. First think if you can call yourself Muslim or not. By just being born to Muslim Parents and having a Muslim sounding name does not make you a Muslim.
Allah has not given you authority to Judge people, its only Allah who will judge people based on their deeds be it Ahmadi or you on the day of Judgment.
Do you think you have authority to judge others then you are simply defying Allah’s command.
MR Farooqi,
I am a Muslim, born in Pakistan and I shudder to think that you have the audacity to judge who can be called a muslim. If you read what the hadith and Quran say about Islam then 99% of not only Pakistan but the entire Muslim world has no right to be calling themselves “Muslims”. And yes that includes you. It is the deeds of a person that determines if he or she is a follower of Islam not what you or the government think. You are worried about Ahmadies calling themselves Muslims, have you ever thought of calling on your neighbor to make sure he is in good health and have enough to eat, have you ever gone to a leper centre and helped the sick and poor, have you ever made sure that the widows are protected, if you have not than you are the one who should be called a “Muslim”. It is ignorance like yours that is likely to hurt “Muslims” not the Ahmadies from my point of view they can call themselves Saints. Read Surah Ikhlas: and you may understand his magnanimity.
Shame on you!
Pakistan is a Muslim state.You tell me the one definition????? Suni, shiya, diyo bandi, baraylwi etc….every one is saying he is a true muslim.
Agreed ahmadies are minorities, but tell me is this Islam’s teaching to induce the Muslims to kill minorities?????can You justify it?????
Well done Faras, I further like to add can any one of my human brother or sister tell me were can I buy honesty gadget from, so I can read people hearts to see if they are Muslim or if they believe in Allah and his book, shame on you.
AOA Farooqi:
What is a definition of Muslim? Sunni’s think they have the definition, Shia’s think it is their definition, Bralevi thinks it is their definition, Deobandi think it is their definition, etc. There was an exercise in Pakistan late 50s or early 60s to define what is a Muslim by government. That attempt to define Muslim fell on its face. So, my friend lets leave the judegement up to ALLAH. Only by his judgement we will know who really is a true Muslim.
I would urge you brother to read and understand your religion. Judgement is up to ALLAH. We will all be held accountable for our deeds so plz be prepared for your own deeds rather than someone else’s.
May ALLAH guide us all.
When the government of Pakistan enforces discriminatory laws against the Ahmadis; discriminates against them, makes them sign insultarory statement to get passport; does not acknowledge great Ahmadi Pakistanis for their contribution in the creation of Pakistan, then attacks by fanatic semi literate brain washed people is only a natural outcome.
The west became liberal after reducing the role of religion.
Nations obsessed with religiosity, god will never become tolerant.
That is the truth in a nutshell.
for those who say that this is an attack on Muslims and Pakistan, there is no denying that. But what do u call an attack that comes at a time when there are banners in the city against the ahmadies?and what about a simultaneous attack on two Ahmadi’s place of worship ???
We have to realize that the root cause of all extremism in Pakistan is the Government’s support for the Anti Ahmadiyya laws. (1974, 1984). It is shameful that no democratically elected government was able to overturn Zia ul Haque’s Marshall Law Ordinance of 1984. It is about time to take a stand and cancel these laws and show that the Government is doing its job properly.
Sana,
Thank you for writing this piece…
Sana Saleem points this our very rightly so. We must promote a tolerant and secular state which stands against all this sectarian propaganda. We must give the minorities their rights just like Pakistani enjoy their rights abroad. Why the double standards??
By any chance, are you the same Hamdani a (lawyer) who had a great article out a few days ago?
Very good article……..Thanks Sana for being brave enough to talk in favour of a community who dont come to the streets to protest for themselves……….all I have to say is that we are a very peace loving community whose motto is love for all hatred for none…..as far as declaring us non Muslims is concerned The Holy Prophet (saw) said to his companion, who killed a non Muslim even after he had recited kalima shahadat that did you split open his heart to see if he is saying this for fear of being killed…..
Dear Sana Saleem, God bless you and God be with you.
It’s sad when innocents die. You forget that so many majority faith Pakistanis have been killed by criminals and terrorists. Are their lives less valuable then the minorities. All of their lives are equally valuable. Please be fair and condemn all killings – whether minority or majority – we are all citizens of a great land that our enemies want to undermine.
Dear Sana,
I would like to congratulate you on taking a step forward. Pakistani’s and Muslims needs to understand these terrors are following the absolutely wrong philosophy of Taliban and Al Qaeda who beleive in use of force and sword to propagate their philosophy (which is definitely against the peaceful teachings of Islam)
No Muslim (a true Muslim) has ever beleived that the Islam should be spread by the sword. Islam has always been propagated through its inherent qualities. Those who, calling themselves Muslims, seek to spread Islam by means of the sword are not aware of its inherent qualities and their conduct resembles the conduct of wild beasts. The Holy Quran clearly forbid the use of force for the spread of the faith and directs its propagation through its inherent qualities and good example of Muslims. Do not be misled by the notion that in the beginning the Muslims were commanded to take up the sword. The sword was taken up for the spread of the faith, but in the self defence against the enemies of Islam and for the purposes of establishing peace and security. It was no part of the purpose of taking it up to have recourse to coercion in the matter of faith.
As far as I am concerned anyone who believes in Allah, His books, His prophets and the Day of Judgement is a Muslim. Mirza and his followers met the requirements and no one has power to declare Mirza or his followers a Non-Muslim or Kafir. You do not need a refrendum to change the laws of Allah.
Pakistan is going through the most critical state. Muslims are killing Muslims on a daily basis. May Allah guide Pakistanis, whether they are Sunni, Shia, Ahmadi, Qadyani, Punjabi, Pashto, Baloch, Sindhi, Mohajir. They must accept they are all Muslims, brothers and sisters to each other. At this time they are fighting with each other like Pre-Islamic Beduins. They have to change and be true Muslims.
It is a matter of time before these terrorists will also hit those who don’t have the courage to speak out against this atrocity.
This article is one of apologetic person… in reality no one is safe in Pakistan… Muslim or non Muslim…what she is going about… thousands of Muslim are getting killing everywhere in world.. And in my own country Pakistan… who is making noise about it… so please stop being apologetic… First of all we are Muslim and we don’t need to apologise to any way… Second look at full picture… NO ONE IS SAFE IN PAKISTAN…..
Sana,
By speaking the truth you have moved us all and you have inspired us all as well. It is people like you who are the shining light for our country where day after day the flame of what can be called a civilized life gets dimmer and dimmer.
What you have touched on is the most simple and basic idea of humanity. There is no ideas as fundamental as this. It does not even have to be taught. It is in us since the day we were born. We are just so bomarded by distractions and complex philosophies that we begin to forget about it. Basic humanity has nothing to do with a country, a religion, ethnicity, money or even an education.
By speaking the truth you have shown real greatness. What I saw in you is true leadership. Step into your leadership boldly and show the light to all of us who have access to your writings and also to the unfortunate masses of our country who do not.
Cannot thank you enough.
Great work Sana!, at least there are few people bold enough to speak the truth about Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan. We really need to work towards spreading peace and love in the country rather than hatred.
Sana you wrote a very daring article!
To me all the Jahil mullahs are wajib ul qatl themselves who spread this kind of non-sense against any religion or sect. Islam is a religion of peace ad these mullahs are trying it into religion of barbarism! May Allah save Pakistan from their nefarious designs! All the madresahs where hatred is taught should be closed! And the media should be gotten rid of dirty journalists who are quite on the atrocities.
Sana Saleem,
I have suggestion for you and to all your ‘comments’ writers
Please start a movement to repeal the state laws which promotes the bigotry
kI have a suggestion to all Pakistanis:
If Islam means peace, and you respect all religions the do this: Pakistan is a democratic country meaning you can force the govt to repeal the 1974 and 84 law where in state discriminates the minorities. Repeal all those laws. You could reinstate your CJ, why not this???????
I am the first member of this movement to nullify the laws that target Ahmadis (Qadianis etc). The state of Pakistan has no business or authority declaring anyone to be a muslim (or Hindu or Christian for that matter). Raising your voice for the weak and oppressed is a duty of all muslims. In the present environment, Ahmadis do not have any voice or power to even defend themselves. The majority has to declare that they are not going to be silent spectators to this injustice. Otherwise mullahs have the field to themselves and continue to advocate violance againt a voiceless minority.
I appreciate your courage and honesty.
The reason for what is going on in Pakistan is our EMAAN is very weak and we are faaaaaar from QURAN. We have no fear of GOD.
while there is no doubt there is discrimation against minorities against Pakistan (Reglious, ethnic, etc.), I don’t think the horrific event happended due to fact that people praying were Ahmidis. These terrorist are blood thristy and want just to murder people whatever their religion is. Govt. and media should be ashmed of themselves for not showing the same level of compassion that they would if ‘majority brand of islam’ (whatever that is) prayers were attacked.
When two places of worship of the ahmadhis were targeted at the same time? This was not an attack on ahmadhis????
terrorism has no religion!!!!
These are the same state sponsored organization which were brewed in last 25 years in the name of hate and have attacked all segments of our society whether it be innocent people in Peshawar bazar or Quetta streets. Muslims Sunnis, Shias or any other sect.
Now they have targeted a minority sect which indeed was a soft target. I am sure no sect allows and support terrorist killings of human life in a manner witnessed last Friday. This is a conspiracy against Islam and Pakistan.
The best way to beat terrorism is by not letting to chip in terrorist agenda of hate ,divide and inflate religious discourse within our society.
Long Live Pakistan !!!!!
I appreciate your effort because people like you are a ray of hope. Great Article and I cant express my feelings in words. May God bless you courage to unveil the truth.
A Revolution like Iran….. can only solve the situation in Pakistan……..
May be a Revolution, but must be opposite to Iran and Secularism must prevail.
A positive thing would be to arrange for better pass times.
More sports eg football, cricket, marathons, cycling competitions, good tv programmes, with music, humour and comedy.