SHOCKING! Over 5 lakh Muslims in Pakistan barred from celebrating Bakrid due to...; Maryam Nawaz govt imposes restrictions on...
Ahmadis are not considered Muslims under Pakistani law. (File)
Ahmadiyya Muslims: While Pakistan claims to be an 'Islamic Republic' and often touts itself as the flag bearer of Islam, more than five lakh Muslims in the country have been barred from celebrating the Bakrid festival, and performing Islamic rituals on the auspicious day. According to media reports, the Lahore High Court Bar Association has written a letter to the Punjab Police, demanding a strict ban on the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from performing various Islamic rituals on Bakrid, including performing Qurbani (ritual sacrifice) and Eid prayers. Ahmadis not Muslims, can't be allowed to celebrate Bakrid, says LHCBA
In its letter, the LHCBA has asserted that Bakrid is a Muslim festival, and only who are legally considered Muslims, can perform religious rituals on the occasion. Ahmadis are not considered Muslims under Pakistani law, which means they are barred from using symbols and practices that are regarded as Islamic in nature.
The LHCBA claimed that Ahmadis are violating the Pakistani Constitution and hurting the religious sentiments of ordinary Muslims by using Islamic symbols and rituals which are meant for those who are legally considered Muslims under the law. The Bar Association alleged that the Ahmadis are acting the Constitution of Pakistan, the Penal Code and the decisions of the Supreme Court, and demanded the Punjab Police to prevent gatherings of Ahmadiyya community on Bakrid.
'Strict action must be taken against members of the Ahmadiyya community who participate in Islamic activities or perform Muslim rituals like Qurbani on Eid,' they said. Ahmadis forced to sign affidavits
Meanwhile, the Maryam Nawaz-led government in Pakistan's Punjab province has allegedly forced Ahmadiyya Muslims to sign affidavits that bars the persecuted Muslim sect from performing any Islamic rituals on Bakrid.
According to the Punjab Home Department, under a 2023 notification, people from the Ahmadiyya community have filled affidavits and immunity bonds, in which they have promised not to perform Eid prayers, sacrifice, or use Islamic symbols or rituals on Eid. Any violation of the affidavit/bond invites heavy fines and even jail time under sections 298-B and 298-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which prohibits the Islamic identity and religious expressions of Ahmadis.
Human rights groups have decried these diktats imposed on the Ahmadiyya community, stating that these violate the religious and basic rights of the Ahmadis, and are an attack on religious freedom.
There are around 500,000 (5 lakh) Ahmadis in Pakistan. The community is considered as one of the most persecuted religious groups in the country.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
36 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Hope Eid brings peace, better days for Muslims: J&K CM at Hazratbal
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah extended Eid al-Adha greetings to Muslims on Saturday, calling the festival a time for peace and strengthening brotherhood. Speaking to mediapersons, CM Abdullah said, 'I hope this Eid brings better days ahead for the Muslims of India and the world. I hope it brings peace and strengthens brotherhood. While we are celebrating Eid, unfortunately, once again, permission was denied to offer 'namaz' in Srinagar's iconic Jama Masjid. I don't know the basis of these decisions, but we need to learn to trust our people. These are the same people who came out to protest against the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The government should think about allowing namaz in the historic Jama Masjid.' National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah offered Eid al-Adha prayers at the Hazratbal Dargah and wished everyone Eid Mubarak as he left the premises. Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter and PDP leader Iltija Mufti also offered namaz on the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on Eid ul-Adha and posted on X: 'Best wishes on Eid ul-Adha. May this occasion inspire harmony and strengthen the fabric of peace in our society. Wishing everyone good health and prosperity.' The festival celebrates the spirit of sacrifice and compassion. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. The day is marked by prayers, charitable acts, and the ritual sacrifice of animals, with a message of sharing and empathy at its core. The date changes every year, based on the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the 365-day Gregorian calendar. Eid al-Adha is called Bakr-Id in the Indian subcontinent because of the tradition of sacrificing a goat or 'bakri'.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh raises maximum working hours from 9 to 10 to boost investment
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has decided to raise the maximum working hours from nine to 10 per day as part of ease of doing business and attracting Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister K Parthasarathy said that it has been decided to amend labour laws to make them 'favourable' to workers and state secretary K Ramakrishna criticised the move and said NDA governments at the Centre and state are pursuing 'anti worker' policies."Relevant sections of laws which allow maximum nine hours of work a day has now been raised to 10 hours per day. Under Section 55 there used to be one hour rest for five hours (work) now that has been changed to six hours," said Parthasarathy recently, elaborating on the decisions made by the cabinet to amend labour Parthasarathy noted that overtime was allowed only up to 75 hours which now has been extended up to 144 hours per quarter."Because of this (amendments to labour laws), investors in factories will (come to our state). These labour rules will be favourable for labourers and they will come to invest more. Globalisation is happening in every state. These amendments were brought to implement global rules," said the minister observed that the cabinet has also relaxed night shift rules to enable more women to work in the night to the I&PR Minister, women were not allowed to work in the night shifts earlier but now they can work with safeguards such as consent, transport facility, security and said the workplace of women during night shifts should be fully illuminated."When you work extra, income will increase. By these rules women can work in the formal sector. They empower women economically and promote gender inclusion and industrial growth. Also contribute to women's empowerment," he K Ramakrishna, State Secretary of CPI, opposed the NDA alliance government's stand on labour laws amendments. He alleged that the Central and state governments are working against the interests of workers."For the past 11 years, the Modi government has repeatedly taken measures that infringe upon workers' rights in India," Ramakrishan told PTI on oppose these rules, he said trade unions have decided to protest on July 9 all over India, adding that all sections will participate in this protest he observed that the NDA governments both at the Centre and in the state are pursuing 'anti-worker policies'.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
43 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Democratic states strengthen laws to counter Trump's immigration crackdown
As President Donald Trump's administration targets states and local governments for not cooperating with federal immigration authorities, lawmakers in some Democratic-led states are intensifying their resistance by strengthening state laws restricting such cooperation. In California alone, more than a dozen pro-immigrant bills passed either the Assembly or Senate this week, including one prohibiting schools from allowing federal immigration officials into nonpublic areas without a judicial warrant. Other state measures have sought to protect immigrants in housing, employment and police encounters, even as Trump's administration has ramped up arrests as part of his plan for mass deportations. In Connecticut, legislation pending before Democratic Gov Ned Lamont would expand a law that already limits when law enforcement officers can cooperate with federal requests to detain immigrants. Among other things, it would let any aggrieved person sue municipalities for alleged violations of the state's Trust Act. Two days after lawmakers gave final approval to the measure, the US Department of Homeland Security included Connecticut on a list of hundreds of sanctuary jurisdictions obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The list later was removed from the department's website after criticism that it errantly included some local governments that support Trump's immigration policies. States split on whether to aid or resist Trump Since taking office in January, Trump has enlisted hundreds of state and local law enforcement agencies to help identify immigrants in the US illegally and detain them for potential deportation. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement now lists 640 such cooperative agreements, a nearly fivefold increase under Trump. Trump also has lifted longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement near schools, churches and hospitals, and ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials believed to be interfering with his crackdown on illegal immigration. The Department of Justice sued Colorado, Illinois and New York, as well as several cities in those states and New Jersey, alleging their policies violate the US Constitution or federal immigration laws. Just three weeks after Colorado was sued, Democratic Gov Jared Polis signed a wide-ranging law expanding the state's protections for immigrants. Among other things, it bars jails from delaying the release of inmates for immigration enforcement and allows penalties of up to USD 50,000 for public schools, colleges, libraries, child care centers and health care facilities that collect information about people's immigration status, with some exceptions. Polis rejected the administration's description of Colorado as a sanctuary state, asserting that law officers remain deeply committed to working with federal authorities on criminal investigations. But to be clear, state and local law enforcement cannot be commandeered to enforce federal civil immigration laws, Polis said in a bill-signing statement. Illinois also has continued to press pro-immigrant legislation. A bill recently given final approval says no child can be denied a free public education because of immigration status something already guaranteed nationwide under a 1982 US Supreme Court decision. Supporters say the state legislation provides a backstop in case court precedent is overturned. The bill also requires schools to develop policies on handling requests from federal immigration officials and allows lawsuits for alleged violations of the measure. Legislation supporting immigrants takes a variety of forms Democratic-led states are pursuing a wide range of means to protect immigrants. A new Oregon law bars landlords from inquiring about the immigration status of tenants or applicants. New laws in Washington declare it unprofessional conduct for bail bond agents to enforce civil immigration warrants, prohibit employers from using immigration status to threaten workers and let employees use paid sick leave to attend immigration proceedings for themselves or family members. Vermont last month repealed a state law that let law enforcement agencies enter into immigration enforcement agreements with federal authorities during state or national emergencies. They now need special permission from the governor to do so. As passed by the House, Maryland legislation also would have barred local governments from reaching immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government. That provision was removed in the Senate following pushback from some of the seven Maryland counties that currently have agreements. The final version, which took effect as law at the start of June, forbids public schools and libraries from granting federal immigration authorities access to nonpublic areas without a judicial warrant or exigent circumstances. Maryland Del Nicole Williams said residents' concerns about Trump's immigration policies prompted her to sponsor the legislation. We believe that diversity is our strength, and our role as elected officials is to make sure that all of the residents within our community regardless of their background feel safe and comfortable, Williams said. Many new measures reinforce existing policies Though legislation advancing in Democratic states may shield against Trump's policies, I would say it's more so to send a message to immigrant communities to let them know that they are welcome, said Juan Avilez, a policy associate at the American Immigration Council, a nonprofit advocacy group. In California, a law that took effect in 2018 already requires public schools to adopt policies limiting assistance with immigration enforcement to the fullest extent possible. Some schools have readily applied the law. When DHS officers attempted a welfare check on migrant children at two Los Angeles elementary schools in April, they were denied access by both principals. Legislation passed by the state Senate would reinforce such policies by specifically requiring a judicial warrant for public schools to let immigration authorities into nonpublic areas, allow students to be questioned or disclose information about students and their families. Having ICE in our schools means that you'll have parents who will not want to send their kids to school at all, Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener said in support of the bill. But some Republicans said the measure was injecting partisan immigration policies into schools. We have yet to see a case in California where we have scary people in masks entering schools and ripping children away, said state Sen Marie Alvarado-Gil. Let's stop these fear tactics that do us an injustice. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
