HE WAS ONLY IN PAKISTAN TO SERVE HIS FELLOW COUNTRYMEN
February 19, 2023: Due to the persistent discriminatory campaign against Ahmadis, a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was recently murdered. On February 19, at approximately 5:00 p.m., a duo fatally shot Mr. Muhammad Rashid, a 75-year-old dual nationality holder and homeopathic practitioner residing in Goteriala, district Gujrat. The gunshot hit his forehead and he died on the spot. Mr. Rashid was a respected member of society, known for his altruistic nature, and had no known enemies. He leaves behind his wife and children who live in Norway. He had generously set up a free homeopathic clinic in his home to assist the local community.
Authorities have taken into custody a suspected accomplice to the crime. It is also reported that one of the attackers, Hafiz Inam, was discovered dead in the fields, some distance away from where the crime was committed. Some reports suggest that he possibly committed suicide after killing Mr. Rashid.[i] However, the investigation is underway and it is unclear whether he committed suicide or was killed. There are clear evidence that Hafiz Inam held animosity toward Ahmadis.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim community has faced discrimination and persecution in Pakistan for decades, including through the use of anti-Ahmadi laws that restrict their religious practices and freedom of expression. This has resulted in a climate of intolerance and violence towards the community, with frequent instances of mob violence, targeted killings, hate campaigns on social media platforms, open rallies and unrestricted hate speech, and other forms of persecution. The murder of Mr. Rashid is a tragic example of the violence and discrimination that members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community face in Pakistan. It is important that the government takes swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and to address the root causes of this violence and discrimination.
Despite facing persecution, Ahmadis in Pakistan remain committed to serving their fellow countrymen. Mr. Rashid’s murder is a loss for both the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the local community. He is one more example of a foreign national who returned to his home country to serve the needs of underserved communities of Pakistan. Another Ahmadi, Dr. Masood Ahmad, a 72-year-old Ahmadi was previously apprehended for simply reading the Holy Quran. He was a British national. The Telegraph reported this incident and wrote ‘A British doctor is languishing in a Pakistani prison accused of “posing as a Muslim” after being videoed reading aloud from the Koran.’[ii]
The spokesperson of the Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan said;
“We express our sincere condolences to the family of Muhammad Rashid and pray that Allah grants them strength during this difficult time. To ensure the safety of innocent Ahmadis, it is imperative that the current hateful campaign against them be halted immediately and that those responsible are held accountable and brought to justice.”
We urge the international community to express their disagreement with this grave injustice and ensure that the safety of all individuals is guaranteed by the Pakistani government.
[i] https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2023/02/20/religious-persecution-ahmadi-doctor-shot-dead-in-gujrat/
[ii] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/10518839/British-doctor-in-Pakistan-arrested-for-reading-from-a-Koran.html
