In a recent episode of the MTA International Islamic talk show ‘Rah-e-Huda’, the former Minister for Communications in Pakistan, Sherry Rehman, spoke about the ongoing persecution and cruelty inflicted upon Ahmadis in Pakistan. During the broadcast she said:
“If we look at the Ahadith (sayings) of the Holy Prophet pbuh, it is clear that whatever is happening to Ahmadis is completely un-Islamic”
Expressing her disappointment and concern, Sherry Rehman said that because of the long history of persecution borne by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan there seemed little prospect that its security could be guaranteed by the State in the future. She also said that Article 20 of the Pakistani Constitution granted minorities very comprehensive rights and that because the Government had declared Ahmadis to be a minority they should at least be afforded those rights and protection.
She further commented: “
Once again I will say that these blasphemy laws of ours people justify in the pure name of the Holy Prophet pbuh to inflict persecution upon people and this is completely against the spirit of Islam”
Sherry Rehman went on to say that that the media in Pakistan requires proper regulation. She said that if the media considered itself to be a mature part of civilised society then it should adopt a moral code. In light of this she suggested that a Press Complaints Commission, based on the UK model, ought to be adopted in Pakistan. Moreover, she said, that both the government and media should have faith in such a commission.
It should be noted that although the Government of Pakistan has declared the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat to be a non-Muslim minority sect in Pakistan, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat has never accepted this status. Ahmadi Muslims believe that their founder, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian is the Promised Messiah and Promised Reformer, whose advent was foretold by the Holy Prophet Muhammadpbuh. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat follows the principle of “Love for All, Hatred for None” and believes that every individual has the right to practise his faith or religion with freedom and without any form of compulsion.