Thread by @imranahsanmirza

The #Ahmadis in #Pakistan are passing through a perilous period of attention & scorn. There is a relentless campaign by religious extremists harassing and targeting Ahmadis. This is not a new phenomenon, however, in the recent past, this drive has intensified manyfold. 1/20

میر تقی میر کا مصرعہ ہے:
سبز ہے رونے سے میرے گوشہ گوشہ دشت کا
“Every corner of the desert becomes green because of my wailing”. In Ghazal’s context, it plainly means my misery causes happiness. This hatred against Ahmadis does satisfy many including the political class. 2/20

Pakistan's obsession with the Ahmadi faith has become a bizarre pastime and yet understandable. This issue is constantly perpetuated by numerous political/religious parties including PTI’s own membership. 3/20

It is appalling that our current leadership & the religious clergy misinform the public about Ahmadis. The laws do not permit for the Community to provide a rebuttal on all such allegations which are propagated every day to incite hatred. 4/20

The learned scholars of Pakistan's history know well about the contribution of Ahmadis in not only establishing Pakistan as a nation but also in science, technology, public/civil services, military, medicine, and other professions. 5/20

The PTI government inadvertently or perhaps deliberately abandoned safeguarding the rights of Ahmadis who otherwise as citizens of the nation are guaranteed safeguards against discrimination through article 27 of the constitution. 6/20

This increased vigilante behaviour by countless intolerant sections of society and numerous extremist elements spread across the country has striking parallels with German Nazis. 7/20

This has resulted in dozens of murders in the past few years, destruction of Ahmadi properties, businesses, and worship places. The recent history is replete with such atrocities. The government is completely silent, in fact, appears to be an abettor. 8/20

I assume the @ImranKhanPTI led PTI government may be more interested in political maneuvering, appeasing its allied religious supporters to hold on to power, nevertheless, it is disgraceful. 9/20

The government has also given unchecked space to the anarchist religious elements of society who propagate regressive, ignorant, and downright violent philosophies in the name of Islam, such as TLP, Taliban, and other extremist outfits. 10/20

This may lead to continued divisions and discord in Pakistan which is, as we know, a country of 220 million people with nearly 30 distinct languages and dozens of religious denominations and faiths. 11/20

There is already a struggle for the majority denominations of Barelvis and Deobandis to compete for space with Shias and other smaller denominations. This will further destroy Pakistan's social & cultural fabric. 12/20

This competition is bound to result in violence especially when the government has relinquished its responsibility to enforce fairness among its citizens. Ahmadis have been on the receiving end of this violence for so long and are witness to its deep and vicious impact. 13/20

This is not just an Ahmadi issue. I can only suggest that we must move away from such dangerous inclinations of religious hate and intolerance with sincere intentions. Such behavior is not part of the State of Medina rather it has parallels with Nazi Germany. 14/20

I do not despair for my fellow Ahmadis as I know well that we are resilient through our community’s spirit. Ahmadis are almost 100% literate in Pakistan where overall literacy is barely 30%. 15/20

Ahmadi youth are finding their way despite persecution. Because educated youth, who are well guided, are bound to excel in their pursuits of learning the best education, though unfortunately limited in positively contributing to the nation’s progress in the current atmosphere.

It is our Prime Minister’s @ImranKhanPTI's responsibility to show leadership and through his gov actions re-educate the masses who have been otherwise taught hatred. 17/20

Ahmadis will always remain loyal and committed to Pakistan’s progress. It is the government’s responsibility to tackle religious extremism head-on and transform this miserable and vile atmosphere into a better one. 18/20

Despite the abysmal character shown by many politicians and their followers in the past few days, weeks and months it was delightful to observe other Pakistanis showing solidarity with Ahmadis & condemning such atrocities. 19/20

The American Civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr had reportedly said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that”. Let us seek this love for the sake of Pakistan. 20/20

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