Source: Washington Post

By Harris Zafar

On May 28th this year, we observed Memorial Day, a day to remember and honor those who have died in service to our nation. But on this year’s Memorial Day, I also reflected on other brave souls who died in another service: to their faith. May 28th has a special significance not just for me and the tens of millions of members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide. It is also a day of significance for all peace-loving and just people who desire equal human rights and a world that is free from religious and other persecution.

May 28th, 2012, marks the two-year anniversary of the vicious attack in Pakistan on innocent souls as they peacefully worshipped their creator. During the weekly Friday Prayer service, armed militants – strapped with suicide vests and automatic weapons – marched into two mosques in Lahore, Pakistan, belonging to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and indiscriminately opened fire on the worshippers. People of all ages began dropping as the terrorists made their way through the mosques, firing their weapons every direction they turned and killing 86 people, while injuring over 100 more. I lost family that day as well. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack and indicated a willingness to continue the aggression.

There was no consideration for the innocent loss of life. No consideration for the humanity of those being brutally massacred. Driven by a raging hatred, these terrorists took the lives of those they didn’t even know. As recently noted by the advocacy group Human Rights Watch, two men were captured during the attack, but instead of making any progress on their trial, the government – as well as the defense – has repeatedly sought adjournments from the court. Read further.