Canada: Over 6,000 Attend Funeral of Canadian-American Doctor Murdered in Pakistan

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On the morning of May 26, 2014, militant extremists gunned down Dr. Mehdi Ali Qamar in front of his wife and two-year-old son. Dr. Qamar, a gifted and award-winning cardiologist, who was on day 2 of a three-week volunteer humanitarian medical mission to the Tahir Heart Institute in Rabwah, Pakistan. 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: AMJ Canada
By Press Release | June 5, 2014

Federal, Provincial and Municipal Leaders pay their last respects to Dr. Mehdi Ali Qamar

The funeral of Canadian/American Cardiologist, Dr. Mehdi Ali Qamar drew an unprecedented crowd of thousands at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque in Vaughan, Ontario.

Draped in the Canadian and the US flags, Dr. Mehdi Ali Qamar's coffin arrived in Toronto on Tuesday night where thousands gathered for the viewing and to pay their last respects. Dr. Mehdi was laid to rest yesterday, June 4, at the Maple Cemetery in Vaughan. Dr. Qamar had the unique honour of being a dual Canadian and US citizen.

Over the past two days, government officials in attendance have included Premier Kathleen Wynn, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, Co-Chair of Parliamentary Friends of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at MP Judy Sgro, Ambassador of the Office of Religious Freedom, Dr. Andrew Bennett, MP and Parliamentary Secretary Chungsen Leung and the Vice Council General of the United States. Numerous other dignitaries and media networks were also in attendance.

On the morning of May 26, 2014, militant extremists gunned down Dr. Mehdi Ali Qamar in front of his wife and two-year-old son. Dr. Qamar, a gifted and award-winning cardiologist, who was on day 2 of a three-week volunteer humanitarian medical mission to the Tahir Heart Institute in Rabwah, Pakistan. The Tahir Heart Institute is a top cardiac centre in Pakistan where patients travel to from remote rural areas unable to afford medical care elsewhere.

Survived by his wife and three sons, Dr.Qamar belonged to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at. The attack on him was part of an orchestrated hate campaign against Ahmadi Muslims and the Heart Institute, which had been in progress without any action from authorities. For months, leaflets appeared declaring treatment at the Tahir Heart Institute forbidden by Islamic law. In 1974, Pakistan passed a constitutional amendment declaring Ahmadi Muslims to be “non-Muslim.” In 1984, Pakistan passed anti-blasphemy and anti-Ahmadi laws criminalizing religious practices of Ahmadi Muslims, which are punishable by fine, imprisonment or capital punishment. To date, militant extremists have murdered hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan with impunity.

As a result, the government of Pakistan has not acknowledged the incident, nor expressed its basic sympathy over the murder of Dr. Qamar, sent condolences to the family or vowed to track down the killers.
Addressing a packed crowd filled with dignitaries and media on June 4, the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada, Lal Khan Malik said:

It was February 19, 2013 when, in this very hall, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the establishment of the Office of Religious Freedom dedicated to the promotion of freedom of religion or belief around the world. I did not think I would be standing here a year later burying one of my community members to demonstrate the critical need and work of that office. As loyal citizens of Canada, we ask the government of Canada to urge the Pakistani leadership to stand up to extremists and to promote freedom of religion, to promote equality for all its citizens and to promote laws that allow full voting rights to all its citizens.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Dr. Qamar’s nephew, Harith Chaudhary said:

Dr. Qamar was a wonderful brother, a loving husband, a doting father, a kind friend, and a selfless humanitarian. The only comfort we find in his passing is that he gave his life doing something he loved - helping others. …Dr. Qamar is now in God’s care, and God will tend to him.

Similar statements of condolences were also made by MP Chungsen Leung and MP Judy Sgro who reiterated the resolve of the Canadian government in helping improve the situation of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan.

The community continues to voice a common sentiment in response to the murder that it will continue to respond with peace, education, and prayers as it has for over 125 years.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at is an international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions.

For additional information:
JT Lone - Spokesperson,
(416) 627-4885
mediarelations@ahmadiyya.ca

  --  Canada: Over 6,000 Attend Funeral of Canadian-American Doctor Murdered in Pakistan


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