In a disturbing incident, the minarets of an Ahmadiyya mosque in Chak 168 Murad, Bahawalnagar, were desecrated during the night of August 6-7, 2023. This act of religious intolerance adds to a series of attacks against the marginalized Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan. The authorities’ lack of action and protection exacerbates the situation, leaving the Ahmadis vulnerable to such persecution.
The targeted desecration of minarets is a distressing trend that demands attention. In almost every instance, these attacks focus on minarets because radical Islamists consider them Islamic structures that can’t be used by Ahmadiyyas. This twisted belief serves as an alarming indicator of the extent to which religious intolerance and discrimination have taken root. The fact that such acts continue without a robust response from the authorities underscores the pressing need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
The Pakistani legal framework that designates Ahmadis as non-Muslims, reinforced by controversial legislation introduced in 1974 and amended in 1984, compounds the issue further. This backdrop not only emboldens the assailants but also leads to authorities turning a blind eye to such acts, as the law itself promotes an environment of marginalization.