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Asia

U.S. issues travel warning for Lahore over anti-Ahmadiyya protests

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert for the Pakistani city of Lahore, warning Americans of “religious protests”. The warning comes as religious groups gather for citywide protests against the minority Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The advisory issued by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security said: “On December 16th at approximately 13:30 hrs, two different religious protests are expected to begin in Lahore. The first will start at the Press Club and the second in Data Darbar. Both are scheduled …

Muslim mob attacks Mosque in Pakistan

Police and Army personnel were called in on Monday as a Muslim mob armed with guns and rocks attacked a Mosque in central Pakistan. The mob which numbered over 1,000 was part of a procession celebrating the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad when it attacked the minority Ahmadiyya community’s Mosque in Dulmial village, Chakwal. Around 40 worshippers who were present in the Mosque locked themselves in as the mob opened fire and hurled rocks. After gaining control of the …

US ‘very concerned’ over Pakistan’s crackdown on Ahmadis

The U.S. Government criticized Pakistan on Friday for raiding the International Headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim minority in Chenab Nagar (Rabwah). Speaking at a press briefing, U.S. State Department’s Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner commented: “We are obviously very concerned about these reports [that] the Punjab counter-terrorism police have raided the international headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Rabwah and arrested 4 individuals for publishing literature.” Responding to a question about Pakistan’s attack on Ahmadi Muslims and other minorities earlier …

Pakistan arrests 4 Ahmadis during Rabwah Raid

Four Ahmadis were arrested Monday afternoon in Pakistan, during a raid on the offices of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The arrests were carried out in the Ahmadiyya majority town of Rabwah by the CTD (Counter-Terrorism Department) of Punjab Police. CTD is responsible for investigating terrorism and sectarian-related incidents. Three police vans with 28 heavily armed officers forced their way into the ‘Tehrik-e-Jadid’ building and ‘slammed’ the workers onto the ground according to witnesses. At the same time, another group of officers …

Pakistan to ban Ahmadi teachers from teaching Islamic studies

Pakistan’s Christian Secretary of School Education has assured Ministers that no Ahmadi teacher would be allowed to teach Islamic Studies or Arabic Language in schools. Secretary Joyce Rufin Julius made the comments on Wednesday while discussing Educational matters in Pakistani province Punjab’s provincial assembly. Secretary Julius who herself is a member of Pakistan’s Christian minority said no teachers from the minority Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will be hired to teach Islamic studies and Arabic and the education department will soon issue …

ISIS claims responsibility for Sectarian murders in Karachi

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the murder of a senior Pakistani police officer and a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. Both men were killed in a near-identical drive-by shooting on Sunday night in the port city of Karachi. The attacks happened within a three hour time period; Traffic airport DSP Faiz Ali Shigri, a member of the Shia community, was killed near Laal Flats in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, while his driver was injured in the attack. The DSP was sitting …

Pakistan’s appointment of new Military Chief sparks religious controversy

Appointment of a new military chief in the largely Muslim country of Pakistan has sparked a religious controversy. The new chief, Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa who is replacing General Raheel Sharif, has been labeled an ‘Ahmadi’ by the country’s right-wing religious nationalists. The controversy began on November 22nd, when Pakistani Senator, Sajid Meer, published a video on facebook in which he suggested that one of the four Generals being considered for the position of Army Chief had Ahmadi family …

Pakistan bans Christian TV channels

Pakistan has ordered a shutdown of all Christian channels airing in the country and has arrested at least six cable operators for defying the order. Local priests have called the ban a blow to religious freedom in the country. The ban has affected 11 Christian TV channels including Pakistan’s oldest Christian satellite broadcaster, Isaac TV, as well as Indian Christian channels. The blocked channels include Gawahi TV, God Bless TV, Barkat TV, Praise TV, Zindagi TV, Shine TV, Jesus TV …

Pakistani Muslims face charges for posing as non-Muslims to sell Liquor

Two Pakistani Muslims are facing charges for selling alcohol in the conservative Muslim country by pretending to be non-Muslims. In Pakistan, a permit is required by non-Muslims to buy and sell liquor. According to the charges filed by Pakistan’s Customs Department in Islamabad High court, Brothers Ishtiaq Ahmad and Aamir Malik illegally obtained a Liquor License by pretending to be Ahmadis, a minority Muslim sect declared non-Muslim under Pakistani law. The brothers bought a suspended liquor license in 2014 by …

Pakistan to deport Turkish teachers ahead of Erdogan visit

Pakistan will deport dozens of Turkish teachers employed at 23 schools linked to the controversial Gülen movement. The order by the Pakistani Interior Ministry came as Turkish President Recep Teyyep Erdogan arrives on a two-day visit to Pakistan. According to reports, the government has ordered all Turkish residents affiliated with ‘Pak-Turk Schools’ to leave Pakistan by November 20th and has also notified Immigration officials in this regard. The foundation which has been active in Pakistan since 1995 currently operates 28 Park-Turk …

Pakistan’s Shia Council threatens Ahmadis with mutilation

A leader of Pakistan’s Shia Ulema Council (SUC or Shia Council of Clerics) has threatened the country’s persecuted Ahmadiyya Muslims with mutilation. He made the statement while speaking to a reporter from Pakistan’s most widely circulated paper, the Jang. On November 11, Leader of Shia Ulema Council Multan division, Syed Muhammad Shah said: Belief in KhatmeNabuwat is a part of our faith, denying that is like denying Islam, We will sacrifice everything for its sake. He further said: ” The …

Illegal settlers clash with Police in Rabwah

On Wednesday a Police operation against illegal encroachments in the Ahmadiyya town of Rabwah turned violent as protestors clashed with Police. On 9th November, Police along with officials from the local Municipal authority launched a demolition drive against illegal encroachments. But the anti-encroachment operation soon turned violent when the operators of these illegal establishments attacked Police and municipal workers. Later, the same mob set fire to some of the salvaged material in the middle of Aqsa road. Many of the …