Latest news with #LHCBA
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Eid al-Adha Crackdown: Why Ahmadis In Pakistan To Be Fined Rs 1.5 lakh If They Make Animal Sacrifice, Offer Namaz?
Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) has asked Punjab Police to prohibit the Ahmadiyya community from carrying out Eid al-Adha rituals, such as namaz and animal sacrifice, calling them specifically for Muslims. Offenders will be imposed fines of PKR 5 lakh (₹1.5 lakh) or legal proceedings, heightening tensions leading up to Eid al-Adha (June 6-10). LHCBA's Directive And Legal Context The LHCBA's letter to the Punjab Police Chief categorises Ahmadis as a non-Muslim minority under Pakistan's Constitution, invoking the Penal Code and Supreme Court decisions that exclude them from employing Islamic symbols or practices. The association accuses Ahmadis of hosting Eid functions in the pattern of Islamic practices, contravening legal prohibitions. Ahmadis have been compelled into signing affidavits swearing they would not conduct Bakrid rituals in Punjab, in continuation of a 2023 ruling barring them from calling themselves Muslims. Rising Violence And Threats At least three Ahmadis have been killed since April, and numerous others are harassed, says DAWN. In cities such as Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Sialkot, authorities have issued directives, including detention, to stop Ahmadis from celebrating Eid 2025. Amnesty International has criticised these actions, and Deputy Regional Director Isabelle Lassee has condemned Pakistan for its inability to safeguard Ahmadis' religious freedom, labeling the restrictions discriminatory. Ahmadi Identity Debate Ahmadis consider themselves to be Muslims, following mainstream Islamic principles but regarding Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a Messiah and prophet, something rejected by traditional Muslims who see Muhammad as the last prophet. Ahmadis are also prohibited from making Hajj or Umrah and traveling to Saudi Arabia. Human Rights Concerns Amnesty International has demanded a stop to the "harassment and violence" faced by Ahmadis, calling upon Pakistani authorities to protect their right to religious freedom. The organization's survey of police orders in five districts documents a concerted attempt to suppress Ahmadi practice, sparking international concern about religious persecution in Pakistan.
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
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.
Mint
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Banned from celebrating Eid: ‘Muslims' in Pakistan to be fined ₹1.5 lakh if they make animal sacrifice, offer namaz
The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) has asked the Punjab Police Chief to stop the Ahmadiyya community from performing Islamic rituals during Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakrid or Bakra Eid. According to LHCBA's letter, while Eid al-Adha is a sacred festival for Muslims, its rituals, like namaz (Islamic prayer) and animal sacrifice, are meant only for Muslims. The letter also claims that Ahmadis are a non-Muslim group. They are not legally or religiously allowed to use Islamic symbols or practise Islamic customs, the letter claims. Ahead of Eid al-Adha (June 6-10), Ahmadis faced growing threats, harassment and even deadly attacks. Since April, at least three Ahmadis have been killed, DAWN reported. Authorities in many areas forced Ahmadis to sign legal papers promising not to offer Eid prayers or perform animal sacrifices. If they break these terms, they could be fined up to 5 lakh Pakistani rupee ( ₹ 1.5 lakh) or face legal trouble. According to LHCBA, the Ahmadiyya community is still presenting themselves as Muslims, which is illegal. The letter claims that Ahmadis are openly organising events for Eid that look similar to Islamic traditions. The LHCBA calls it a violation of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Penal Code and past Supreme Court rulings. It asked police to take legal action if any Ahmadi was found violating these laws during Eid. In Pakistan's Punjab province, Ahmadiyya community members have been asked to sign affidavits promising not to celebrate Bakrid or perform related rituals. This follows a 2023 order enforcing laws that ban Ahmadis from identifying as Muslims or practising Islamic traditions. Human rights groups have criticised the move as unfair and against religious freedom. Amnesty International has called on Pakistani authorities to stop the unfair treatment of the Ahmadiyya community. It has directed them to protect Ahmadis' right to follow their religion freely. Amnesty reviewed documents from five districts and found police orders in cities like Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi asking for action against Ahmadis. Even in Sialkot, authorities issued detention orders to stop them from celebrating Eid 2025. Amnesty says this shows the government is not just failing to protect Ahmadis but is actively limiting their religious freedom. Isabelle Lassee, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, raised concerns against the 'violence and harassment targeted against Ahmadis' ahead of Eid 2025. 'Not only are local authorities and local enforcement agencies across Pakistan failing to protect Ahmadis, they are themselves actively restricting their rights to freedom of belief and religion,' DAWN quoted Lassee as saying. Ahmadis consider themselves Muslims and follow core Islamic beliefs like the Five Pillars and Six Articles of Faith. They believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was the promised Messiah and a prophet while still respecting Prophet Muhammad.
Mint
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Banned from celebrating Eid: ‘Muslims' in Pakistan to be fined ₹1.5 lakh if they make animal sacrifice, offer namaz
The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) has asked the Punjab Police Chief to stop the Ahmadiyya community from performing Islamic rituals during Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakrid or Bakra Eid. According to LHCBA's letter, while Eid al-Adha is a sacred festival for Muslims, its rituals, like namaz (Islamic prayer) and animal sacrifice, are meant only for Muslims. The letter also claims that Ahmadis are a non-Muslim group. They are not legally or religiously allowed to use Islamic symbols or practise Islamic customs, the letter claims. Ahead of Eid al-Adha (June 6-10), Ahmadis faced growing threats, harassment and even deadly attacks. Since April, at least three Ahmadis have been killed, DAWN reported. Authorities in many areas forced Ahmadis to sign legal papers promising not to offer Eid prayers or perform animal sacrifices. If they break these terms, they could be fined up to 5 lakh Pakistani rupee ( ₹ 1.5 lakh) or face legal trouble. According to LHCBA, the Ahmadiyya community is still presenting themselves as Muslims, which is illegal. The letter claims that Ahmadis are openly organising events for Eid that look similar to Islamic traditions. The LHCBA calls it a violation of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Penal Code and past Supreme Court rulings. It asked police to take legal action if any Ahmadi was found violating these laws during Eid. In Pakistan's Punjab province, Ahmadiyya community members have been asked to sign affidavits promising not to celebrate Bakrid or perform related rituals. This follows a 2023 order enforcing laws that ban Ahmadis from identifying as Muslims or practising Islamic traditions. Human rights groups have criticised the move as unfair and against religious freedom. Amnesty International has called on Pakistani authorities to stop the unfair treatment of the Ahmadiyya community. It has directed them to protect Ahmadis' right to follow their religion freely. Amnesty reviewed documents from five districts and found police orders in cities like Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi asking for action against Ahmadis. Even in Sialkot, authorities issued detention orders to stop them from celebrating Eid 2025. Amnesty says this shows the government is not just failing to protect Ahmadis but is actively limiting their religious freedom. Isabelle Lassee, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, raised concerns against the 'violence and harassment targeted against Ahmadis' ahead of Eid 2025. 'Not only are local authorities and local enforcement agencies across Pakistan failing to protect Ahmadis, they are themselves actively restricting their rights to freedom of belief and religion,' DAWN quoted Lassee as saying. Ahmadis consider themselves Muslims and follow core Islamic beliefs like the Five Pillars and Six Articles of Faith. They believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was the promised Messiah and a prophet while still respecting Prophet Muhammad. However, many mainstream Muslims disagree, saying this belief goes against the idea that Muhammad was the final prophet. Ahmadis are not allowed to perform Hajj or Umrah; they are banned from entering Saudi Arabia.
Express Tribune
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Elahi hails PTI lawyers' role in LHCBA victory
The newly elected President of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), Malik Asif Ahmad Nissoana, along with his delegation, met the Central President of PTI, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, at his residence on Wednesday. Congratulating the LHCBA president on his resounding victory, Parvez Elahi credited PTI's lawyers' wing for playing an active role in securing the win for the entire panel. He hoped that the newly elected lawyer leaders would contribute to maintaining moderation in society, uphold constitutional principles and continue their positive efforts for the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.
