Faith and practice: What have the Ahmadi Muslims done wrong?

I have only asked the question why the Ahmadi Muslims are being persecuted in Pakistan and elsewhere. Neither the Pakistani Ambassador nor Mr Ahmed have answered my question and therefore I am asking it again.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Nation | Thailand
By Horst Bullinger | February 1, 2011

Re: Letters on blasphemy laws and Ahmadi Muslims.

Mr Saleem Ahmed addresses the issue in a serious manner, mentioning "the finality of prophethood of Prophet Muhammad, which is one of the basic articles of faith in Islam" and goes on to say "any other claim is pure invention".

Similar claims were made by the Catholic Church 500 years ago when Martin Luther nailed his thesis to the church door of the castle of Wittenberg on November 28, 1518, starting the Reformation and the emergence of Protestant Christianity - very much to the dislike of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. This led eventually to the 30-year war in Europe over 100 years later (1618-1648), when many thousands on both sides were slaughtered.


Nowadays both versions of Christianity live peacefully side by side, except for the unfortunate violent disputes in Northern Ireland.

I am not a theological scholar and do not want to get involved in the debate on the rightful origin of Islam. I have only asked the question why the Ahmadi Muslims are being persecuted in Pakistan and elsewhere. Neither the Pakistani Ambassador nor Mr Ahmed have answered my question and therefore I am asking it again. If a different interpretation of the origin of Islam leads to harming those who beg to differ, then I am afraid to say that "official" Muslims find themselves at a stage the Catholic Church was at 500 years ago.

Mr Ahmed may say that the Ahmadis are not Muslims and that their "false claims" are in violation of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan, and therefore it is justifiable to punish these infidels. I sincerely hope that this is not the case, because if it is, I feel truly sorry for that country, but even more so for the Ahmadiyya community. It is beyond me why Mr Ahmed accuses me of prejudice for simply asking a few questions.

Even in the UK, Muslim hardliners have called for the death of Ahmadi Muslims in the county of Surrey, and have vandalised Ahmadiyya mosques (The Independent, weblink http://www.independent.co.uk).

Dear Mr Ahmed, please don't shoot the messenger.

Horst Bullinger, Bangkok




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