The radical Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has issued an ultimatum to the Chiniot district administration, that if Islamic symbols and rituals are not removed from Ahmadi places of worship by October 28, they will take matters into their own hands and start demolishing Ahmadiyya mosques and graves. The threat has intensified fears within the already vulnerable Ahmadiyya Muslim community, highlighting the dangerous environment they face in Pakistan.
The TLP’s statement, circulated through flyers and social media, said: “If the Islamic rituals are not removed from the worship places of the Qadianis, we will act on our own, and the authorities will be responsible for the consequences.” The message underscored the group’s justification, claiming their actions would be in defense of the “honor of the Holy Prophet (PBUH),” with supporters vowing to sacrifice their lives if necessary.
Among the targeted sites is the Ahmadiyya common graveyard and the revered Bahishti Maqbara in Rabwah, which holds profound significance for the Ahmadiyya community. The planned destruction of these gravesites is not only inhumane but also a direct violation of the human rights of Ahmadiyyas and explains how the minorities are treated within Pakistan.
The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) campaign is being spearheaded by notorious hate preacher Muhammad Naeem Chattha Qadri, infamous for his inflammatory rhetoric and history of inciting violence. In 2022, Qadri called for attacks against pregnant Ahmadiyya mothers, amplifying the violent persecution faced by the community. Muhammad Naeem Chattha Qadri’s involvement in the upcoming rally has heightened tensions, as he has clearly announced his aim to destroy Ahmadiyya mosques, graves, and buildings in Rabwah.
The Ahmadiyyas are a sect within Islam and have long been a target of systemic persecution in Pakistan. Their systematic repression dates back to 1974, when the Pakistan Army officially declared Ahmadiyyas non-Muslims. In 1984, Rawalpindi nudged the then puppet political government in Islamabad to enact legislation barring Ahmadiyyas from identifying as Muslims or building mosques with Islamic architectural elements such as minarets. These laws have not only denied Ahmadiyyas their religious identity but have also emboldened extremist Islamist groups to harass, attack, and vandalize their places of worship with impunity.