Detention of Minority Ahmadiyya Community Members in Pakistan’s Chakwal Sparks Outcry
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/15th June 2024
Three prominent members of the Ahmadiyya community have been detained by the Chakwal district administration in Pakistan to prevent them from performing religious rites during Eid-ul-Azha, as reported by Dawn. The arrests were made under orders issued by Chakwal’s Deputy Commissioner, Quratul Ain Malik, on June 10. The men were subsequently detained and sent to Jhelum prison.
The three men, who hail from Dulmial village, were targeted due to concerns over potential disruptions to public order. This village was previously the site of a violent mob attack on the Ahmadiyya mosque in December 2016, an incident that resulted in the deaths of two people. The mosque, a historic structure built in the mid-19th century, has remained sealed since the attack, its future still uncertain.
The Ahmadiyya community, a minority group in Pakistan, frequently faces religious persecution and discrimination. Deputy Commissioner Malik’s orders were based on a report from the district police officer, who claimed that the activities of the three men could lead to a deterioration of the law and order situation in the area. The District Intelligence Committee, which met on June 10, unanimously recommended the detentions to prevent potential sectarian conflict and maintain public order.
A spokesperson for the Jamaat-e-Ahmadya, Amir Mehmood, revealed that the three men were summoned to a meeting with police officials and the assistant commissioner of ChoaSaidan Shah to discuss the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha celebrations. During the meeting, they faced immense pressure from complainants opposed to the Ahmadiyya community, who demanded that the Ahmadiyya delegation refrain from performing Qurbani (sacrificial rites). The men were also harassed and asked to submit a surety bond, pledging that neither they nor any other Ahmadi in the district would perform Qurbani.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the detentions, labeling them a “gross violation of individuals’ rights to liberty and freedom of belief and religion.” Amnesty International highlighted the incident as occurring just days after the targeted killing of two Ahmadiyya men in Mandi Bahauddin on June 8. The organization has called on the Punjab government to release the detained men immediately and to ensure the safety and protection of the Ahmadiyya community, especially during religious observances like Eid-ul-Azha.
Amnesty International’s statement on social media emphasized the importance of protecting human rights even in challenging security situations. The organization urged the Pakistani government to review and amend laws that facilitate abuses of these rights to align with international human rights standards.
The detentions have sparked significant concern and criticism, shedding light on the ongoing persecution faced by the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan. The community, which identifies as Muslim but is considered heretical by many mainstream Islamic groups in Pakistan, has long been subjected to systemic discrimination and violence. The government’s actions, particularly during religious festivals, underscore the precarious position of the Ahmadiyya in Pakistani society.
The situation calls for urgent attention from both national and international human rights bodies to ensure that the Ahmadiyya community can practice their faith freely and without fear of retribution. The recent events in Chakwal highlight the need for a broader dialogue on religious freedom and minority rights in Pakistan, with a focus on fostering an inclusive and tolerant society.
As the Ahmadiyya community continues to face challenges, the international community must remain vigilant and advocate for the protection of religious minorities in Pakistan. Ensuring that all individuals can freely exercise their religious beliefs is a fundamental human right that must be upheld and defended against any form of persecution or discrimination.
