Asia

‘Blasphemers deserve death penalty’ says PTI

One of Pakistan’s leading political party which calls for “moderation and freedom to practice the religion” has reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI) which is headed by cricketer turned politician Imran Khan tweeted its support for the blasphemy laws and endorsed the death penalty for those who commit of Blasphemy. In series of tweets, PTI stated that the party severely condemns ‘false propaganda that the party plans to make changes to blasphemy laws’. PTI’s official twitter …

I have my sympathies with Ahmadis: Pervez Musharraf

Former Pakistani President General (Retired) Pervez Musharraf has said that his sympathies are with Pakistan’s persecuted Ahmadiyya Muslim community. He made the remarks while speaking at the Churchill Center in Washington D.C on Wednesday. While answering a question from a Rabwah Times reporter about the country’s anti-Ahmadiyya laws, Musharraf said: This is a very sensitive question that you are asking really, personally, I believe in tolerance, I believe in moderation, I believe religion should be between him and his god …

Ahmadi doctor shot dead in Pakistan

A doctor from the minority Ahmadiyya community was shot dead in the Pakistani city of Lahore on Friday. 69-year-old Ashfaq Ahmad and his 11-year-old grandson were making their way to the local Mosque for Friday prayers when they were attacked by a lone gunman on a motorbike near Moon Market. The popular market area is situated in the suburb of Allama Iqbal Town. Dr Ashfaq Ahmed had retired as a professor from Lahore University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. He held …

Killer of Ahmadi Lawyer gives himself up to Police

A Pakistani man who killed a prominent lawyer has given himself up to the local Police. According to Police sources, 36-year-old Muhammad Rashid, a security guard by profession turned himself into the Police and plead guilty to the murder of 69-year-old Saleem Latif. Advocate Latif who also served as the city head of minority Ahmadiyya community was shot dead on Thursday morning. In a statement given to Police, Arshad who goes by the nickname ‘Kodu’ said that he killed Latif …

Pakistan arrests ‘Muslim Reformer’ for Blasphemy

A Pakistani man who claimed to be a Muslim Reformer has been arrested by the country’s security forces for Blasphemy. According to family members, Nasir Sultani was arrested from Islamabad Airport on March 21st. Days earlier, on March 17th the BBC reported that Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of Islamabad High Court had added Sultani’s name onto the ECL (exit control list) and instructed the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) to prepare a detailed report on him. 51-year-old Sultani claimed to be …

Pakistan denies “state-sponsored persecution” of Ahmadis

Pakistani Ambassador to U.S. vehemently denied the “state sponsored” persecution of minority Ahmadiyya Muslims on Wednesday. Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry made the claims while speaking at an event in Washington .D.C. During the event at the U.S. Institute of Peace Ambassador Chaudhry was questioned by Rabwah Times reporter over Pakistan’s persecution of minority Ahmadiyya Muslims. The journalist pointed out Pakistan’s anti-Ahmadiyya laws which are used to prosecute Muslims for the simple crime of using the universal Islamic greeting of ‘Assalam-o-alaikum’. Responding …

Ahmadi man shot dead in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan

An Ahmadi leader was killed Thursday morning after unidentified gunmen opened fire on him and his son. Malik Saleem Latif, who was also a prominent lawyer was on his way to the local court on a motorbike along with his son Advocate Farhan, when the unidentified attackers trailing behind them opened fire. As a result, Latif who was related to Pakistani Nobel Prize winner Dr. Abdus Salam died on the spot while his son survived the attack. Speaking to the …

5 Facts about Dulmial Mosque which was targeted by a Muslim Mob

In December last year, a mob of over 3,000 Muslims attacked a small Mosque in Northern Pakistan. The incident gained worldwide attention as people wondered why would Muslims attack a Mosque? Here’s what you need to know about the Mosque and why it was attacked. 1.  The Mosque locally known as Darul Zikar is located in the village of Dulmial Village in Punjab, Pakistan and has been used as a house of prayer by the local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. 2. …

Ahmadi child detained and harassed by Pakistan Police

Residents of Pakistani town of Chenab Nagar have asked the Government to open an investigation after a local police officer harassed and detained a young Ahmadi child. Children of local Ahmadiyya Youth Association were holding banners to raise public awareness about traffic rules and road safety when officer Asif charged towards the group standing on the roadside and tore off an unnamed boy’s placard, the officer then pulled the boy away and locked him up in his patrol car. Witnesses …

Indonesia shuts down Ahmadiyya Mosque in Depok

Ahmadis were forced to perform Friday prayers in the courtyard after Indonesian authorities shut down the community’ Mosque in Depok, a satellite city of the capital, Jakarta. On Thursday, February 23rd, Depok’s municipal police sealed Masjid Al-Hidayah which belongs to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The mayor of Depok said this is the seventh time the Mosque has been sealed since 2011 Hundreds of Islamic hard-liners, including members of the notorious Islam Defenders Front (FPI), staged a rally the on Friday …

Pakistani TV Host Aamir Liaquat apologizes for hate speech

One of Pakistan’s most popular television talk show host has apologized for hate speech and “incitement to violence” comments which he made on his TV show back in 2008. During a live interview with Britain-based TV channel Liaquat also pleaded the UK Government to lift the travel ban against him. In Liaquat’s 2008 program followers of the minority Ahmadiyya sect of Islam were declared “worthy of murder” and within 24 hours of the program being aired, a prominent member of …

Pakistan to offer extra college credits to girls who cover their faces

Pakistan’s Minister for Higher Education has announced that girls who cover their faces will be given extra college credits. Minister Syed Raza Ali Gilani made the remarks while speaking at an Education Board meeting on Tuesday. Speaking at the event, Minister Gilani said: We are leaving our religion behind, we are forgetting our culture and ethics. Hence, I have made the hijab compulsory for our women and sisters in colleges The minister added that it was his duty to take …