UK: Muslim leader's anger at mosque attacks

“I would request that you condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms and that, where possible, pressure is brought to bear on the government of Pakistan who persistently fail to act on these horrendous attacks on our community.” [Dr Iqbal (AMA-UK) writes to Prime Minister David Cameron]

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: Telegraph & Argus
By Tanya O'Rourke | June 3, 2010

The president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Bradford branch has called for the condemnation of those responsible for a massacre at two Pakistani mosques.

Dr Mohammed Iqbal, whose own cousin died in the Lahore attacks on Friday, has written to Prime Minister David Cameron and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Gilani.


His letter to Mr Cameron states: “I would request that you condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms and that, where possible, pressure is brought to bear on the government of Pakistan who persistently fail to act on these horrendous attacks on our community.” Under Pakistani law, for Ahmadi people to refer to themselves as Muslims is a criminal offence which can carry the death penalty.

Dr Iqbal said: “The Pakistan government really needs to get a grasp on itself and repeal the laws against the Ahmadiyya.

“Serious steps need to be taken, it’s these laws that are the cause of this violence.”

A woman worshipper at Bradford’s Al Mahdi Mosque lost a nephew and an uncle in the massacre, and Khalil Solanghi, who was to visit Bradford for a wedding, lost his life.

Of his cousin, Dr Iqbal said: “He was only 30. We spoke to his father several times, it’s been terrible, everyone is distraught, it’s been very difficult.”

Keighley man Mujeeb Rahman, from Shann Avenue, said his 25-year-old nephew Shahid Shaffi – a clothes store owner – was also among the dead.

It has been reported the Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which killed more than 90 people.

Dr Iqbal said the Bradford branch of the association would be organising a memorial service to honour those who died on Friday.

“I think the most important thing at this stage is to see if people will openly condemn what is going on,” said Dr Iqbal. “I’d like to encourage the people of Bradford to support us with this and to write to the Prime Minister. This needs to be raised at the highest level or the loss of these lives will be meaningless, it would be a tragedy.”

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