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India Today
3 hours ago
- General
- India Today
Celebrate Eid, pay Rs 5 lakh PKR as fine: Pakistan to Ahmadiyya Muslims
The Ahmadiyya Muslims, who under Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I had extended unequivocal support to Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his Muslim League for the creation of Pakistan on religious grounds, are now bearing the brunt of repression in the very Islamic Republic they helped form. With Eid al-Adha less than a week away, Pakistan's marginalised Ahmadiyya community is facing growing pressure to forgo qurbani (sacrifice) and other rituals, even in the confines of their homes, with Punjab provincial authorities now demanding affidavits warning of a Rs 5 lakh (PKR) fine for police in several districts of Punjab and Sindh provinces have been detaining members of the Ahmadiyya community, and threatening and harassing them into signing undertakings that they not perform Eid al-Adha 2025 is on June 7. Come Eid, the Pakistani establishment-run state reminds the Ahmadiyya community that they don't belong to the republic that their forefathers helped Ahmadiyya community, numbering around 2 million, faces severe persecution in Pakistan, including violent attacks and legal discrimination. They are not recognised as Muslims under a 1974 constitutional amendment. Barred from reading the Quran or performing namaaz openly, Ahmadis have also been targeted by terrorist groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Tehreek-e-Labbaik June 2024, at least 36 cases of arbitrary arrests and detentions of Ahmadiyyas were reported in Pakistan's Punjab, aimed at preventing them from performing animal sacrifice for Eid, noted Amnesty March this year, around 100 graves belonging to the Ahmadiyya community were desecrated by members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Punjab's Khushab some cases, authorities have demanded affidavits from Ahmadiyya without any legal basis. Pakistani law does not specifically prohibit people from the Ahmadiyya community from performing qurbani in MUSLIMS MADE TO SIGN AFFIDAVITS IN PAKISTANMembers of the Ahmadiyya community in Punjab have been instructed to submit affidavits and indemnity bonds, pledging not to observe Eid al-Adha or perform its associated religious rituals, reported the Karachi-based of the affidavit forms issued by the Punjab government, shared by US-based Pakistani-origin journalist Sabookh Syed, includes a clause requiring signatories to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh (PKR) for a full range of repressions against the Ahmadiyya community, officials of Punjab province have offered conflicting explanations for the a 2023 notification has been used to bar Ahmadiyyas from identifying as Muslims or practising Islamic rituals. However, legal experts argue that forcing individuals to sign such declarations is unconstitutional and exceeds the authority of local officials, according to a report by the Lahore-based newspaper, The Friday BAR ASSOCIATION WRITES AGAINST AHMADIYYASIn Punjab's capital, the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) added fuel to the fire by writing to the Punjab Inspector General of Police, urging him to take action against the Ahmadiyya community for "violating" the law by organising gatherings resembling Islamic letter, signed by LHCBA President Malik Asif Nissoana and other office bearers, insisted that only Muslims have the right to perform qurbani, and that Ahmadiyya participation "hurts the sentiments of the Muslim majority and risks public disorder", reported is a Sunni-majority country and a big chunk of the population does not consider the Ahmadiyya community to be Muslims because the community believes in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet, a view seen as heretical to the mainstream Islamic belief that Prophet Muhammad was the final Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan has faced systematic disenfranchisement since the Second Constitutional Amendment in 1974, which declared them non-Muslims, stripping them of religious and legal recognition as Muslims. In 1984, Ordinance XX under General Zia-ul-Haq further restricted their rights, criminalising their practise of Islamic rituals, with penalties of up to three years in prison. As Pakistan took a turn towards radical Islam under Zia, and continued on that path after him, the Ahmadiyya community faced widespread discrimination, including voter exclusion through separate electoral lists, effectively barring them from political InTrending Reel
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Creation of Pakistan: Minister highlights role of religious minorities
LAHORE: A thought-provoking and historic seminar titled 'The Role of Minorities in the Creation and Continuity of Pakistan' was held at Alhamra Art Council, Lahore, as part of the Jashn-e-Urdu celebrations. The event was graced by Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs, Ramesh Singh Arora, as the chief guest. The seminar aimed to highlight the significant historical and contemporary contributions of religious minorities to the unity, development, and progress of Pakistan. In his address, Ramesh Singh Arora remarked that religious minorities in Pakistan are like vibrant colors in the bouquet of our nation, completing its beauty and harmony. According to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, we are all equal citizens. The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is transforming this vision into reality through inclusive and historic reforms. He paid tribute to the sacrifices made by minorities during the Pakistan Movement and acknowledged the contributions of individuals from minority communities in fostering education, political engagement, social harmony, and national progress. Ramen Arora also elaborated on several key initiatives currently being undertaken by the Punjab government for minority communities, including: Construction, renovation, and expansion of religious sites belonging to minority groups, Educational scholarships for deserving minority students, Legislative reforms for the protection of minority rights and Cultural and training programs to promote interfaith harmony. Mufti Ashiq Hussain emphasized the importance of interfaith unity and stated that Islam teaches respect for all communities. The development of Pakistan is only possible when we embrace diversity with open hearts. Macdonald Chandi, a well-known Christian community leader, appreciated the provincial government's outreach: Dr Majeed Able, added that the role of minorities in the Pakistan Movement has been understated in our textbooks. It's time to give rightful space to these heroes of history. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Canadian film festival bridges cultures
Lahore Arts Council organized a cake cutting ceremony and portrait painting competition to celebrate 145th Birth Anniversary of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at Alhamra. PHOTO: FACEBOOK The Lahore Arts Council, in collaboration with the High Commission of Canada, hosted a Canadian Film Festival. The festival featured a curated selection of eight acclaimed Canadian films, each exploring a range of human experiences and social themes. From intimate family narratives to broader societal issues, the films resonated with viewers and sparked conversations on shared values and diverse perspectives. High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan Leslie Scanlon attended the event and expressed her appreciation for the warm reception. "This festival is a celebration of cultural understanding and artistic collaboration. Cinema is a powerful medium that transcends borders, and events like this bring people closer together," she noted. Chairman of the Lahore Arts Council, Razi Ahmed, reflected on the deepening ties between the two countries.
Economist
6 days ago
- Politics
- Economist
Narendra Modi has kept his vow to make India like Gujarat
THE TWO most consequential South Asians of the 20th century were Gujarati: Mohandas Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, respectively the 'father of the nation' of India and of Pakistan. So was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who as India's first home minister cajoled (or bullied) 565 'princely states' into joining the union.
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Egyptian president has accepted invitation for official visit to Pakistan — PM Sharif
ISLAMABAD: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday, following a telephonic conversation between the two leaders. Pakistan and Egypt have cordial ties and both countries have resolved in recent years to enhance bilateral trade by facilitating businessmen with visas, exchanging trade-related information and promoting private-sector contacts. During their conversation, PM Sharif conveyed his profound gratitude to President El-Sisi for Egypt's constructive role and proactive diplomacy that helped Pakistan and India reach a truce after a four-day standoff. 'Expressing satisfaction on Pakistan-Egypt relations, the prime minister highlighted the need to enhance bilateral trade and investment,' Sharif's office said. 'The prime minister extended a most cordial invitation to the Egyptian president to undertake an official visit to Pakistan which was graciously accepted.' Friendly ties between Pakistan and Egypt can be traced back to 1947, when the former gained independence and its founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, visited Egypt on the special invitation of King Fuad II. In July last year, Pakistan's then religious affairs minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Egyptian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Ihab Abdelhamid Hassan agreed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in religious education and other areas of mutual interest. During the call on Tuesday, PM Sharif and President El-Sisi also discussed developments in the Middle East, particularly the situation in Gaza. 'The prime minister urged the international community to ensure consistent and timely delivery of badly needed humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza,' Sharif's office said.
