For Immediate Release
Effects of Terrorist Attack Against Muslims
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community conducts mass funerals for the victims of May 28th Lahore Mosque terrorist attack
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community today laid to rest its 94 victims from the May 28 horrific terrorist attack at their two Mosques in Lahore, Pakistan. The Pakistan Taliban claims responsibility for this brutal attack with continued threats against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Pakistani Government officials remain silent in their apologies by not acknowledging the place of the attack as a mosque or referring to the members of this community as Muslims.
As Muslims who believe in the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community within Pakistan remain under constant threats and attacks. The May 28 incident is the worst attack to date in Pakistan since the community was declared non-Muslim in 1974 and forbidden to practice their faith in a 1984 constitutional amendment. Countless members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA have suffered tragic loss of their relatives.
In the days since the vicious attacks, no local or federal government official has expressed a message of condolence to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. To the contrary, they stand by idle as banners and billboards remain in place today across Pakistan inciting continued murder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Despite such bloodshed, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has responded with continued advocacy towards peace. It maintains its adherence to the Islamic tenet that there is no place for violence of any kind since reverence for life is a part of Islam. The community has not retaliated in any manner nor held rallies or other demonstrations despite continual persecution. A massive letter writing campaign has begun requesting the US government to apply pressure on the Pakistan to repeal their blasphemy laws and ordinances within their constitution that justify the killing of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Christians and Jews. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has faced intense governmental and extremist persecution in Pakistan for nearly 40 years.
Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, Vice President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA states, “This is not an isolated incident, as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is continually targeted by the same extremists who attack the United States, and we would like to spread awareness of this issue and have our voices heard about the dangers of allowing such groups to continue these practices.”
Those wishing to support the victims’ families in Pakistan can make a charitable contribution to Humanity First USA in lieu of sending flowers.
About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 190 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1921, is the first American-Muslim organization.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Islam of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.
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