Pakistani activists say court ruling threatens adherents of Ahmadi cult
Rights activists in Pakistan have voiced concern over a court ruling that would require citizens to take a religious oath upon joining the civil service, armed forces or judiciary.
Zohra Yusuf, a board member at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said on Sunday that the ruling could lead to the persecution of minorities, particularly adherents of Ahmadi cult, who revere the 19th century founder of their faith as a prophet.
"The oath thing is nothing but discrimination, and would show the government has no belief that minorities too are patriotic," she said.
Zia Awan, another rights activist, stated that the court ruling would encourage extremists. "I am afraid this will further endanger minorities and increase discrimination."
Saleem Uddin, a spokesman for Pakistan's Ahmadi community, said that the community was consulting legal experts and may challenge the ruling. "The court should have given us a chance to present our point of view before the verdict, which has increased our vulnerability as a community."
The Islamabad High Court ruling on Friday also requires people to declare their religion on all official documents. The oath would require people to testify that the holy Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) was the last messenger sent by God, the repudiation of a core Ahmadi belief.
Pakistan declared Ahmadis non-Muslims in 1974.
Pakistan used to be the global headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Community before they were moved to England. The cult has been subjected to a number of attacks across Pakistan and Bangladesh over the past few years.
A large number of Muslims maintain that cults such as Wahabi, Bah'ai and Ahmadi were the product of colonial conspiracy against the Islamic world.
Supporters the Khatme Nabuwat Movement and some other religious groups want Islamabad government to stop Ahmadis from holding high-ranking posts and infiltrating into sensitive security institutions.
Pakistan signs major defense export deal with Libya
Pakistan’s Field Marshal Munir awarded Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz medal
Pakistani court sentences former PM Imran Khan, wife to 17 years in prison
VIDEO | Protesters in Paris slam Israel’s revocation of NGO licenses in Palestine
Israeli minister lays claim to Gaza, West Bank, calls Palestinians 'temporary guests'
Hamas: US strike on Venezuela, abduction of Maduro ‘grave violation of intl. law’
VIDEO | Lebanon commemorates martyrdom anniversary of General Soleimani
VIDEO | Massive protest held in Cuba to condemn US military operation in Venezuela
US Democrats float retaliation over Trump’s ‘insane’ Venezuela aggression
Iranian badminton star set to make history: Why Soraya Aghaei’s IOC nomination matters
VIDEO | Tunisians commemorate martyred resistance leaders
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
