Source: Dawn
Religious persecution of people from Ahmadiyya community is not a new development in Pakistan. Ahmadis have long been marginalised from the time when they were declared non-Muslims in the amendment introduced in 1973’s Constitution. Since then, they have been facing the wrath of many Muslims who have fundamental views and refuse to trade, dine and even sit with them.
Whether it is about banning a certain juice brand, expelling Ahmadi students from universities or failure to recognise the only Pakistani Nobel Laureate, the hatred fuelled by religious clerics knows no boundaries.
Academic institutions remain an arena of conflicting views, hence often turning into another platform for religious fundamentalists to brainwash impressionable minds.
The University of Sargodha, which is in close proximity to Rabwah, is one of a very few universities which houses and educates students from Ahmadiyya community. The university has reportedly been a congenial institute where administration and management support students from different beliefs and schools of thought. However, ubiquity of miscreants, who use religion for their political interests, has contaminated the otherwise pleasant environment.
“I received a text message from my best friend, a week back, which said we should stop being friends because you are an Ahmadi and my allegiance with you is not considered appropriate within the parameters of my religion,” said a student of University of Sargodha.
“A couple of days ago, during a laboratory session, some students disrupted the lecture and started preaching how Ahmadis are non-Muslims and are wajib-ul-qatal (eligible to be killed),” said another student on condition of anonymity.
According to a student, the so-called religious sermon took place in the presence of a teacher, which signified his involvement in the ‘brainwashing’ and ‘hate speech campaign’ against the Ahmadiyya community.
Brochures and booklets, entailing details of how Ahmadis should be prosecuted, are also being circulated amongst the students. So far, Ahmadi students have not been threatened, however, students report that they are constantly being followed and other students have boycotted them completely.
“Nobody sits with us. Nobody is willing to talk to us. Most importantly, people enter the lecture session and use abusive language against our religious clerics which is why we have stopped attending classes,” added another student.
Categories: Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Asia
Mullahism is becoming utter madness in Pakistan and gone out of bound simply because the Governments of Pakistan in the past have used Mullahs to prolong their rule one way or the other. The current ruling governments in Punjab and centre and other provinces are doing the same so have failed to uphold the rule of law often in clash with the judiciary, such behaviour is strongly condemned. Unless the people of Pakistan understand this menace fully and decide to uproot this will destroy the country’s left over fabric.
Pakistan is suffering from Brain-Drain as the many Madrassas educate students not in accordance with economical and market labour demands and those who are fortunate enough to get proper education, they leave the country as there are no job prospects. There is lack of foreign investment due to the insecurity and instability, and this again is due to religious extremists who create fear among Pakistan’s citizen. If this vicious circle does not stop, I fear that Pakistan will end up like Afghanistan.