Ahmadis are Muslims for Peace

2. Legislation

According to Human Rights Watch, the “persecution” of Ahmadis has been legalized and is “encouraged” by the Pakistani government (27 May 2012). The 2012 annual report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom indicates that, among religious minorities in the country, “Ahmadis are subject to the most severe legal restrictions and officially-sanctioned discrimination” (Mar. 2012, 129). In 1985, a constitutional amendment specifically declared Ahmadis, among other religious groups, to be “non-Muslims” (Pakistan 1973, Art. 260 (3)). In 1984, Ordinance XX, which is commonly referred to as the “anti-Ahmadi” legislation, amended Article 298 of the Penal Code to include the following (US Mar. 2012, 129; MRG n.d.)………………………

2.1 Law Enforcement

Sources indicate that Ahmadis are not allowed to build places of worship or hold any event openly (ibid., 13; The Express Tribune 7 May 2012). Ahmadis can be charged for calling for prayers, preaching their faith publicly, calling their place of worship a “mosque” (AI 2 Feb. 2012; US Mar. 2012, 129), using religious terminology, using the Islamic greeting publicly, publicly quoting the Quran, seeking converts, or producing, publishing, or disseminating religious material (ibid.). They are also banned from travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage (ibid. 30 July 2012, 13; AFP 29 July 2012; AHRC 3 Feb. 2012).

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