World

UN Rights expert condemns Pakistan over “systematic persecution” of Ahmadis

The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief has criticized Pakistan for its treatment of Ahmadiyya Muslims. In a report submitted before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 5th, Special Rapporteur, Ahmed Shaheed said: Ahmadis have been subject to systematic persecution by means of State-sanctioned discrimination and other repressive measures, including the closing of their businesses, schools and places of worship and the imprisonment of those who violate the restrictive laws imposed on the community. …

US commission on International Religious Freedom calls out Pakistan’s treatment of minorities

According to US commission report on International Religious Freedom(USCIRF-2018), Pakistan has failed to protect its minorities. The US State Department named Pakistan as the first, and only, country on its “Special Watch List,” not only because of its hatred against religious minorities. But Pakistan is a country of particular concern, due to oppression against women, freedom of speech and controversial blasphemy laws. Increased involvement of religious extremist parties particularly Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA) led by Khadim Hussain Rizvi, has …

British-Pakistani lawyer to lead UN investigation against ISIS

On Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General appointed a British-Pakistani barrister to lead an investigation into ISIS crimes in Iraq. Karim Asad Ahmad Khan of Britain will serve as special adviser and head of the investigation team established by the UN Security Council at the request of Iraq last September. Khan who himself belongs to the persecuted Ahmadiyya community is a human rights lawyer with over 25 years experience in International criminal law. He obtained his Bachelor of Law (LLB) from Kings …

From Turkish Farm Camps to Greek Government Camps: The Harsh Reality of Syrian Refugees

  Izmir, Turkey Imagine fleeing violent war and devastation in your homeland, only to assume a life of hunger and poverty in a foreign country. Rather than sentence themselves to live confined government camps, many families take the alternative option and break out on their own in hopes of survival. Stranded, hungry, and hiding in tents far from civilization at risk of being evicted at any moment—this is the harsh reality that many Syrian refugees are now faced with. These …

Pakistan & Iran’s Blasphemy laws among the worst in the World

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has released a ground-breaking report that takes a look at blasphemy laws around the world and compares them to international human rights standards. The report covers instances of the blasphemy laws in 71 countries which include countries like Paksitan and Indonesia, known for harsh punishments like the death penalty to countries like Canada and Switzerland which have minor penalties like fines. Among the six countries which were ranked the worst in terms …

Opinion: The Crazy Fanatics.

Crazies. Everybody’s got them—from religions to nationalities to political parties. Every social unit in humanity has its share of fanatics. Unfortunately, we Muslims have them in droves, and in recent years their fanatical, narrow-minded view of what defines a religion has moved to the driver’s seat and become the mainstream in Islam. Indeed, it seems that it’s becoming a rare site to see a religious person who is not a crazy lunatic. For many, matters of religion have gotten so …

Australian Muslims hold Quran exhibition

On Sunday 26 November 2016, the Berwick chapter of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hosted a Holy Quran Exhibition at Hampton Park Library, in an effort to educate Australians about the beautiful teachings of Islam. This is the second successful exhibition it has hosted in the space of two weeks. The exhibition, held at one of City of Casey’s busiest libraries, featured sample copies of the Holy Quran translated into foreign languages. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has translated the Quran into 76 …

Former Pakistani President congratulates US President-Elect Donald Trump

Former President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf has issued a statement congratulating Donald Trump on being elected the 45th President of the United States. Musharraf, who also served as the Chief of Pakistan’s Armed Forces issued the statement through his Facebook page. Pervez Musharraf said, “I congratulate President-Elect Donald Trump on his historic election as the President of the United States. I wish him much success in leading the way to renew the ties of United States with her time-tested allies …

Ahmadis who could not vote in Pakistan, vote for the first time in the U.S.

For some Americans heading to the polls is an annual ritual for others a new experience. Hundreds of newly naturalized Americans who have sought refuge in the U.S voted for the first time on Tuesday. Followers of the Ahmadiyya sect of Islam have been unable to participate in the electoral process of Pakistan for over three decades. The intensely persecuted community has been declared “non-Muslim” by the Pakistani constitution, Millions of Ahmadis have been unable to register as Muslim voters, …

Israeli religious leaders visit Auschwitz

Thirty top religious leaders from Israel made a landmark visit to Auschwitz last week to commemorate the Holocaust victims and raise awareness about the rising antisemitism in Europe. They group included leaders from Israel’s Christian, Druze, Jewish and Muslim communities. The leaders met with representatives of Warsaw’s Jewish community at the Nozyk synagogue and took a tour of a Museum dedicated to the History of Polish Jews. On Wednesday, the group made their way to Auschwitz, Nazi Germany’s most infamous …

Holy Land’s religious leaders to embark on a Holocaust memorial tour of Poland

Religious leaders of the Holy Land will travel to Poland to commemorate the Holocaust and raise awareness about the rising antisemitism in Europe. The four-day tour will begin on October 30 and will include Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Baha’is and members of other religious denominations. The group of religious leaders will travel together to Poland and visit Nazi concentration camps including Auschwitz. The organizers have also planned a visit to the factory of Oskar Schindler, known for having saved many …

Canadian MP shuts down headscarf critic

Canadian female Ministers had to face criticism online after they welcomed a Muslim leader to the Parliament while wearing a head covering. The ‘Khalifa of Islam‘ who is the worldwide head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was welcomed to Canadian Parliament by several Ministers including Debb Schulte and Judy Srgo. Both of them adorned head scarves for the occasion; a decision criticized by Canadian-French actress and blogger Sophie Durocher. Durocher, who writes for Le Journal de Montréal, scrutinized the MP’s decision in …