This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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Ahmadi Muslims throughout the world remain united and share in the plight of their fellow Ahmadis who are denied their basic human rights such as the right to vote and the right to practice their religion freely in countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Ahmadis call on the international community to bring these so called democratic countries to account and to ensure Ahmadi Muslims are granted their human rights.
Take for example the case of two men in Saudi Arabia who have been held illegally in prison for two years as a result of being Ahmadi Muslims – an act considered apostasy in some Muslim countries around the world. Despite religion standing as their apparent ‘offence’, the pair have not been formally charged with any crime.
Ahmadi Muslims, whose numbers run into the tens of millions worldwide, believe that their founder, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, was the awaited Messiah anticipated by Muslims across the world – a belief that has given rise to the widespread persecution of Ahmadis. In Pakistan, Ahmadis are routinely imprisoned and persecuted under existing blasphemy laws that outlaw Ahmadis from professing and practising their faith freely. Ahmadis have also long been the target of persecution in Indonesia with several recent examples of Ahmadi homes being destroyed and mobs murdering members of the community without provocation.
Apostasy is considered an offence in Saudi Arabia and is punishable by death. The criminalisation of apostasy is incompatible with the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as set out in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In Saudi Arabia, court proceedings often fall far short of the international standards for a fair trial. Formal legal representation is rarely granted, with Defendants in many cases not being informed of the progress of the legal proceedings against them.
Mirza Waqas Ahmad, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association UK said:
”Today is International Human Rights day and we hope that countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Indonesia reflect heavily upon the human rights obligations they owe their citizens. Islam is a universal religion which advocates, upholds and protects the human rights for all. The persecution of Ahmadi Muslims and other minorities is completely against the teachings of Islam and international law.
”The plight of Ahmadis and other minorities across the Muslim world is a cause of great anguish for the members of our community. Ahmadis are a peaceful people who are known for their loyalty and selfless contribution to whatever country they belong. At the international level, a huge amount of work remains to be done to bring countries who fail in their obligations to account and to transform human rights from abstract promises to genuine improvements to ensure universal human rights are available to all. ”
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stands as a milestone towards the goal of freedom, justice and equality. Islam upholds freedom of conscience and thought and it teaches respect and tolerance for all religions. Holy Qur’an majestically proclaims that “There must not be any coercion in matters of faith.” [2:257] Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to spread Islam’s true teachings of moderation and restraint with compassion, patience and prayers, in the face of bitter opposition from the Muslim world. Please visit http://www.alislam.org to get the true teaching of Islam.
I am gratified to read Mr. Walker’s article on the suffering that my fellow Ahmadi Muslims undergo every day in the countries named, and elsewhere as well. The thoughtful among my fellow-readers will see the underlying parallel between the modern-day plight of Ahmadis and the long era of oppression that stoic indivcomment_IDuals of faith had to suffer under the Romans. May the long night be over soon!
On a more practical note, I believe that the voices of millions of people of goodwill can, and should, be raised in unison against state-imposed tyranny. Such an action would hasten the end of cruelty in the name of one religion or another.
My fellow-readers can discover the Islamic precepts that inform the lives of Ahmadi Muslims worldwcomment_IDe by visiting the website [i]alislam.org.[/i]
Peace to all people of goodwill the world over!
These countries first need to learn the religion of humanity than make false promises to its people. Where there are no equal rights for all, there can’t be peace. These countries endorse bigotry in the name of religion and halt freedom of religion while Islam endorses religious freedom, by “for you my religion and for me mine” [7,109] Quran http://www.alislam.org/introduction/index.html