Daily Times: Abid Hashmi was garlanded and praised for his ‘heroism’ for calling Ahmedis dogs. The shopkeepers of Hafeez Centre, in their persistence of hate, have put up even bigger posters calling on the state to make Ahmedis wear their religious identity, calling for their apartheid
One is reminded of the Lahore blast at an Ahmedi mosque in 2010 that killed about 100 worshippers. The terrorist attack was praised and celebrated by some who consider the entire community to be wajibul qatal (liable for death). There have also been unconfirmed reports of attempts to attack the secluded localities of Ahmedis, forcing many to flee the country for the sake of a protected future.
On December 13, a shopkeeper put up a message on the door of his shop in Hafeez Centre in Lahore stating that Qaidianis and dogs were not allowed to enter his shop. The authorities took notice of this poster and held Abid Hashmi, the shop owner, in custody under the National Action Plan (NAP) for spreading hatred. However, the concern of the authorities was only short-lived as Abid Hashmi was released after traders from Hafeez Centre held a protest. Abid Hashmi was garlanded and praised for his ‘heroism’ for calling Ahmedis dogs. The shopkeepers of Hafeez Centre, in their persistence of hate, have put up even bigger posters calling on the state to make Ahmedis wear their religious identity, calling for their apartheid. Strikingly, other such hateful posters were also posted on the fence of the centre on the day marking the first anniversary of Army Public School (APS) massacre.
Some citizens are concerned and are planning protest on their own to register a voice against this bigotry but, unfortunately, they are unable to carry out their message in an organised manner because no political organisation is ready to take up this cause for the sake of their politics of appeasement to the religious parties. Those individuals brave enough to confront the haters are left vulnerable to the danger of possible violent backlash, as the police seem completely unable to facilitate them. On the other hand, the authorities provide full cooperation to the hate mongers who keep on campaigning and inciting violence without any obstacle.
There has been no action whatsoever against religious organisations that are directly engaged in threatening and targeting Ahmedis. The World Tuhafiz Khatme Nabuwat Council of Lahore collaborates with the Shubban-e-Khatme Nabuwat to produce names and addresses of prominent Ahmadis, which becomes public to anyone who wants to target and malign them. There are about 10 such organisations that are working with other religious organisations to spread hate against them, yet none of these organisations is on the list of proscribed organisations issued by the government. The authorities are well aware of their activities but do not dare touch them. The NAP, which prohibits the spread of hate material, seems ineffective in curbing this mushrooming trend.
On December 13, a shopkeeper put up a message on the door of his shop in Hafeez Centre in Lahore stating that Qaidianis and dogs were not allowed to enter his shop. The authorities took notice of this poster and held Abid Hashmi, the shop owner, in custody under the National Action Plan (NAP) for spreading hatred. However, the concern of the authorities was only short-lived as Abid Hashmi was released after traders from Hafeez Centre held a protest. Abid Hashmi was garlanded and praised for his ‘heroism’ for calling Ahmedis dogs. The shopkeepers of Hafeez Centre, in their persistence of hate, have put up even bigger posters calling on the state to make Ahmedis wear their religious identity, calling for their apartheid. Strikingly, other such hateful posters were also posted on the fence of the centre on the day marking the first anniversary of Army Public School (APS) massacre.
Some citizens are concerned and are planning protest on their own to register a voice against this bigotry but, unfortunately, they are unable to carry out their message in an organised manner because no political organisation is ready to take up this cause for the sake of their politics of appeasement to the religious parties. Those individuals brave enough to confront the haters are left vulnerable to the danger of possible violent backlash, as the police seem completely unable to facilitate them. On the other hand, the authorities provide full cooperation to the hate mongers who keep on campaigning and inciting violence without any obstacle.
There has been no action whatsoever against religious organisations that are directly engaged in threatening and targeting Ahmedis. The World Tuhafiz Khatme Nabuwat Council of Lahore collaborates with the Shubban-e-Khatme Nabuwat to produce names and addresses of prominent Ahmadis, which becomes public to anyone who wants to target and malign them. There are about 10 such organisations that are working with other religious organisations to spread hate against them, yet none of these organisations is on the list of proscribed organisations issued by the government. The authorities are well aware of their activities but do not dare touch them. The NAP, which prohibits the spread of hate material, seems ineffective in curbing this mushrooming trend.