Image Credit: Hindustan Times
More than 350 individuals reportedly vandalized two places of worship of the minority Ahmadis in Pakistan's Punjab province, one of which was set on fire, police said on Friday.
A mob believed to be comprised of people from the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) attacked the two worship centers of the Ahmadis at Chak-275, Kartarpur village in Faisalabad, about 130 kilometers from Lahore, on Thursday.
Ahmadis stationed there reportedly fled for their lives when police arrived there after both places of worship were destroyed.
Police officer Rashid Qamar added 350 suspects have been charged with attacking, damaging and burning down two Ahmadi places of worship under sections 295, 436, 440, 380, 144 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act.
Hafiz Rafaqat, the leader of TLP, along with Rana Zulfiqar, Hafiz Ashiq, Muhammad Umair Ahmad Raza, Qari Zahoor and a few others instigated the villagers to launch an attack on the two places of worship of Ahmadis, as per the FIR.
"They also incited the participants of the Independence Day rally to take part in the attack. They stoked hatred against Ahmadis through inflammatory speeches and resorted to violence," the FIR says.The two worship sites were constructed before 1984. The riotous crowd wreaked havoc for almost two hours in which one worship site was burned down after demolition of its minarets.
"The attackers also targeted nearby Ahmadi homes, pelting stones at houses, shattering windows, and spreading fear and panic among residents," the FIR says.
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Pakistan Spokesman Amir Mahmood, condemning the attack vehemently, reported that extremists unleashed violent attacks on Ahmadis when they were celebrating Pakistan's Independence Day.
“This is not the freedom envisioned by the founders of Pakistan,” he said and demanded exemplary punishment to those involved in the mob violence.
"Until those who commit such acts face justice, intolerance will grow. Authorities must act swiftly to protect all citizens," he said.
Even though Ahmadis claim to be Muslims, Pakistan's Parliament in 1974 labeled the community as non-Muslims.
Ten years later, they not only were prohibited from referring to themselves as Muslims but also debarred from practicing certain beliefs of Islam.
These involve building or exhibiting any sign that marks them as Muslims like erecting minarets or domes on mosques or openly writing Quranic verses.
Amnesty International demanded that the Pakistani government must stop immediately the harassment, intimidation and attacks against the Ahmadi community and respect their right to freedom of religion and belief.
