Jihad against the Ahmadiyya

My recent article about the destruction of Byzantine churches and monasteries in Kosovo brings to mind a previous article I wrote citing the tribulations of Muslim sect known as the Ahmadiyya . In one of the saddest chapters of Islam, they are persecuted and live in fear, having their mosques routinely attacked and religious artifacts destroyed. [Pictured above: Group photo taken January 1931 of prominent founder-members of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement.]

They are hated because they believe the Messiah has come. Also known as Qadianis or Ahmadis, the sect was founded by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam, who was born in the town of Qadian in Punjab in 1835. The Ahmadiyya believe he was the Imam Mahdi, or the Promised Messiah.

In the countries where they reside local populations urge governments to declare them non-Muslims. They are arrested for propagating materials "offensive" to other believers. Their books and publications are banned. Oh, and they promote peace and oppose violence.

They can hardly build a new mosque without it being torn down or attacked. They've had mosques 'taken' from them, members kidnapped, mosques burned, you name it.

They were declared non-Muslims under the Pakistan constitution in 1974.

A BBC reporter recounted a recent large rally against this minority group in Bangladesh . Police managed to keep the crowd away from the sect's mosque. But then placed a sign on the door:

It read: "The Qadiani upasanalaya (place of worship) in Bogra town: Muslims, do not be fooled into thinking it is a mosque." Watching, some members of the Ahmadiyya community burst into tears.

Also see Attacks on Minority Ahmadis Continue Amidst Censorship and Pogroms

Human Rights Watch also noted:

Finally, in Pakistan, the Congressional Committee wrote of its concern over the charges of blasphemy against five Ahmadi journalists. It noted that journalists in the Ahmadiyya community were frequently prosecuted for the expression of their religious views, and that these writers faced long sentences if convicted.

Also see Amnesty International reports