Widespread condemnation followed the mob attack against an Ahmadiyya Mosque in the Pakistani city of Sialkot. U.S. joined lawmakers from Canada and UK to condemn the attack which resulted in the destruction of a historic 100-year-old Mosque.

The attack which was led by Hafiz Hamid Raza, a member of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf happened between the night of May 23rd and early morning of the May 24th. During the attack, a mob of around 500 Muslims chanted slogans against the minority Ahmadiyya Muslims as they destroyed the Mosque structure and an adjoining building.

The attack drew worldwide condemnation and shocked the already persecuted Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Pakistan.

U.S. Special Advisor for Religious Minorities, Knox Thames condemned the attack saying:

The U.S. strongly condemns the destruction of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community mosque in Sialkot Pakistan. We urge authorities to hold all perpetrators accountable and ensure the mosque is restored.

U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Religious Freedom also issued a statement saying:

Strongly condemn vandalism & destruction of 19th-century historic site & adjoining mosque of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Sialkot Pakistan. Urge authorities to hold all perpetrators accountable and facilitate restoration.

President Donald J. Trump appointed USCIRF commissioner, Johnnie Moore described the attack as “More awful bigotry & terrorism in Pakistan.”

Similarly, UK Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Boris Johnson also denounced the attack saying:

I condemn this attack and urge Pakistan to protect all its communities, including Ahmadi Muslims.

Condemnations also came from Canadian Members of Parliament, including Jagmeet Singh, leader of NDP, Kamal Khera, Judy Srgo, Omar Al-Ghabra, Garnett Genuis, Deb Schulte and Ruby Sahota.

Pakistani politicians who are normally wary of commenting on the Ahmadiyya persecution also followed suit.

However, at the same time, Irum Azeem Farooque, member of Sindh Provincial Assembly was barred from submitting a resolution condemning the attack. In a tweet Farooque said:

I wasn’t allowed to submit my condemnation Resolution in Sindh Assembly, Even though most of the members agreed with me that every sect has the right to their religious belief but still no one wanted to sign&condemn the attack on the praying site of Ahmedis.