Islamabad 21 hours ago
Terrorist attacked the mosque of Ahmadiyya Muslims in Rabwah, Pakistan
A gunman opened fire on Ahmadi Muslims offering Friday prayers in Rabwah, Punjab, Pakistan, injuring six people. The attacker was killed by police in a retaliatory action, according to Dawn.
A video circulating on social media shows the gunman approaching the mosque complex gate, firing at guards before being shot by policemen stationed across the road. Witnesses said the attack caused panic as worshippers ran for safety.
The attacker comes on foot and starts firing at people praying near the mosque
During this, a person managed to run and enter inside the mosque
The attacker fired shots at the mosque, but by then the door had already been closed
The attacker also fired shots at the policeman on the other side of the road
After being shot by the police, the attacker falls on the road
Police investigate potential extremist links
Following the attack, authorities cordoned off the area and began investigating whether the assailant had ties to extremist organisations.
No group has claimed responsibility, though radical groups such as Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) have previously targeted the Ahmadiyya community.
Aamir Mahmood, spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya community, condemned the attack, saying, “Hateful propaganda and inflammatory speeches have created an environment that encourages such attacks. Those responsible for spreading hate must be punished to protect innocent Ahmadis.”
Ahmadiyya community faces long-standing persecution
The Ahmadiyya community, with an estimated 2 million members in Pakistan, has historically faced systematic persecution. Following a 1974 constitutional amendment, Ahmadis were declared non-Muslims and restricted from openly practicing Islamic rituals.
Amnesty International reported that 36 Ahmadis were arbitrarily arrested in Punjab in June 2024 to prevent them from performing Eid sacrifices. Radical groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and TLP frequently target Ahmadi places of worship.
In Pakistan, extremist groups often attack the religious sites and cemeteries of the Ahmadiyya community
Who are Ahmadiyya’s
The community was founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in Qadian, Punjab. Ahmad emphasized peace, justice, and interfaith understanding, studying teachings from other religions including Zoroaster, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Guru Nanak.
Since the 1974 riots in Pakistan, Ahmadis have faced legal restrictions, including Section 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, making it a crime for an Ahmadi to declare themselves Muslim, punishable by up to three years in prison. Separate voter lists, cemeteries, and mosques are maintained for the community.
International discrimination against Ahmadis
The Ahmadiyya community has also faced international restrictions. Saudi Arabia banned Ahmadis from performing Hajj in 2018, detaining those who attempt the pilgrimage.
Similarly, in 1974, the Islamic Fiqh Council in Mecca issued a fatwa declaring Ahmadis non-Muslims, influencing attitudes across many Muslim-majority countries.
Due to ideological discrimination, many Ahmadis conceal their religious identity, including providing false information in official documents to avoid persecution.
Community response
Leaders of the Ahmadiyya community have called for an end to hate speech and targeted propaganda, urging authorities to take stringent action against those inciting violence. They state the need to protect peaceful worshippers and ensure their safety amid rising attacks.
Indian media is always happy to publish News that makes Pakistan look bad…