Pakistan: Attack a 'conspiracy against Ahmadis'

In a statement, Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: "Canada strongly condemns the attacks on the Ahmadiya community in Lahore. On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of these attacks, and wish a swift recovery to the injured."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Canada
Source & Credit: South Asian Focus | Canada
By Nouman Khalil | June 2 2010

The attacks on Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore were not just a terrorist attack but part of "a well-planned conspiracy to eliminate (the minority) Ahmadis from Pakistan," alleges the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada (AMCC).

"It's not the first time, Ahmadis in Pakistan are continued to be targeted for years," Farhan Khokhar, national secretary communication of AMCC, told Focus in Toronto.

More than 70 people, mostly Ahmadis, were killed and over 80 injured when gunmen attacked two worship places of the minority during Friday prayers in Lahore last week.

The attacks have been condemned globally, including here in Canada, where senior ministers and politicians of all stripes have urged better protection of the minorities.

Lal Khan Malik, AMCC President, said: "Once again, seeds of hatred sown by fanatical clergy and supported by government have resulted in death of innocent Ahmadis."


He said the whole community across Canada is deeply saddened and strongly condemns the attack on innocent worshippers who were in the mosque for no other purpose but to pray to God.

According to reports gunmen opened fire shortly after Friday prayers and threw grenades at two Ahmadi worship places in residential Garhi Shahu and Model Town areas.

Reports said at least one of the attackers blew himself up while local police arrested two others.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the incident and ordered immediate action to apprehend those behind the attacks.

Ottawa urges more security for minorities

The Canadian government strongly condemned the attack and urged Pakistan to provide greater protection for minority communities.

In a statement, Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: "Canada strongly condemns the attacks on the Ahmadiya community in Lahore. On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of these attacks, and wish a swift recovery to the injured.

"We urge the Pakistani authorities to ensure equal rights for members of minority communities, and we hope that the perpetrators of this horrendous attack are brought to justice.

"Canada supports the government of Pakistan's resolve to bring peace and stability to its country. We will continue to work with Pakistan and our allies to help Pakistan address the challenges it faces," Cannon added.

Earlier Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and Jim Karygiannis, MP Scarborough-Agincourt, also expressed their solidarity with the Jamaat over the deaths of innocent worshippers.

In 1974, the government of Pakistan People's Party led by former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto passed legislation that declared Ahmadis - also known as Qadyanis - to be non-Muslims.

Later in 1984, further legislation was passed by the then President, Gen Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, in which the practice of the faith was outlawed.

Being 'non-Muslims' Qadyanis are not allowed to pray in the mainstream Sunni or Shia mosques.

In many Islamic countries today Ahmadis have been marginalised by the majority religious community; severe persecution and often systematic oppression have led many Ahmadis to emigrate and settle elsewhere.

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