Local Muslims Mourn the Murder of Their Own in Pakistan

Worsening religious extremism in Pakistan threatens safety of religious minorities and stability of region. The deaths of Dr. Shiraz and Dr. Noreen Bajwa are part of a disturbing trend of violence against Ahmadi Muslims.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community community is experiencing increased abuse in Pakistan. Image: thorud.playernet.no

(MULTAN, Pakistan) - Ahmadiyya Muslim Community targeted for its spiritual beliefs; General David Petraeus warns that militant extremists in Pakistan "could literally take down their state"

Last month, unknown assailants attacked Dr. Shiraz Bajwa, 37, and his wife Dr. Noreen Bajwa, 29, at their home in Wapda Colony, Multan, Pakistan. The assailants gagged and bound both victims before strangling them to death.

Both victims belonged to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC) – a bitterly persecuted minority sect of Islam in Pakistan that believes in the Messiah.

The deaths of Dr. Shiraz and Dr. Noreen Bajwa are part of a disturbing trend of violence against Ahmadi Muslims. Since the promulgation of Pakistan's notorious anti-blasphemy laws in 1984, anti-Ahmadi assailants have killed over 100 Ahmadi Muslims because of their spiritual beliefs.

"Pakistan is teetering on the edge of lawlessness," states Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, Vice President of AMC USA. "In an era where freedom of religion and conscience are accepted as fundamental human rights, it is deeply disturbing that innocent physicians would be murdered for no reason other than their religious beliefs."

The worsening religious extremism in Pakistan has significant implications not only for members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, but also for the stability of the region.

Last week, the New York Times reported that "General David H. Petraeus, the top American commander for Iraq and Afghanistan, warned a Senate panel on Wednesday that militant extremists in Pakistan 'could literally take down their state' if left unchallenged, as he and two other top officials presented a grim picture of growing dangers in the region."

AMC

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC) is a dynamic, reformist and fast growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, AMC spans over 180 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. AMC USA, established in 1921, is the first American-Muslim organization.

AMC is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas (1835-1908) of Qadian. Ahmadas claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesusas of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammadsa. AMC believes that God sent Ahmadas, like Jesusas, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmadas's advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Islam of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam's true and essential teachings.