HISTORIC AHMADIYYA MOSQUE DESECRATED DESPITE PRE-1984* EXISTENCE AND PROTECTION GUARANTEED BY THE LAHORE HIGH COURT
POLICE COMPLICITY IN RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION CONTINUES
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Built in 1971
June 10, 2024: It is with profound sorrow that we report the recent desecration of the Ahmadiyya Muslim mosque in Jahman, district Lahore. This grave incident marks another distressing chapter in the ongoing persecution faced by the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan. Opponents of the Ahmadiyya Mosque in Jahman submitted an application to the authorities, demanding the removal of the minarets, asserting that they resembled traditional Islamic architecture. On June 9, 2024, police arrived with the orders to remove the minarets. The Ahmadiyya Community firmly informed the authorities that they would neither carry out this action nor allow opponents to do so. A delegation from the Ahmadiyya Community met with the police authorities again on June 10, 2024, reiterating their stance. Despite these discussions, the SHO of Heare Police Station indicated an intention to carry out the demolition that same night.
In the early hours of June 12, 2024, the police, consisting of 10-12 uniformed officers and four individuals in civilian clothing, desecrated the minarets of the Ahmadiyya mosque. This attack, conducted around 1 a.m., also involved the removal of the DVR system.
The desecration of Ahmadiyya mosques has been a recurring issue, with 2023 being particularly dire, witnessing the desecration of 44 mosques. In 2024 alone, desecrations occurred in Thatta Joyia, Sargodha (Jan 4), Dolyan Jattan, AJK (Feb 12), and Aziz Abad, Karachi (Feb 28). Additionally, an Ahmadiyya place of worship was sealed in Baldia Town, Karachi, a few days ago on June 7, with related detentions and FIR against community members.
The spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Community Pakistan[i] condemned these actions, highlighting that such atrocities by law enforcement agencies blatantly disregard the orders of Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh of the LHC[ii], which stated that Ahmadi worship places built before 1984 require no amendments. The mosque in Jahman was completed in 1971. Furthermore, the landmark decision by Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani in 2014[iii], which called for the establishment of a Special Task Force to protect worship places, is being ignored as police instead appease societal elements that undermine Pakistan’s integrity.
Call to Action:
We urge national and international organizations to voice their concerns to the relevant authorities and ensure the protection of all citizens’ mosques and worship places. The international community must act now to halt the cycle of violence and hatred against the Ahmadiyya Muslim community and uphold justice and religious freedom in Pakistan.
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* Before the promulgation of Ordinance XX
[i] https://x.com/PressSectionSAA/status/1800773024162996436
[ii] www.sys.lhc.gov.pk/appjudgments/2023LHC4565.pdf
[iii] www.www.refworld.org/jurisprudence/caselaw/paksc/2014/en/105975
Minarets of Ahmadiyya mosque demolished by police
Jahman, District Lahore; June 2024: Opponents filed a demand with the administration against the Ahmadiyya place of worship, for the removal of the minarets. On June 9, 2024, the police visited and told Ahmadis to remove the minarets. Ahmadis informed the police that they would not remove the minarets themselves. An Ahmadiyya delegation met with senior police administration to reiterate this position.
On June 10, 2024, another meeting was held where the police repeated their demand. As the delegation was returning, the SHO called to inquire about Ahmadis’ plan; he mentioned the police intention to take action against the minarets that night.
Around 1 A.M. on 10 June, the DSP and SHO, along with a contingent, came to Jahman and pressured Chaudhry Manzoor, an Ahmadi, to demolish the minarets and the niche. Upon his refusal, they consulted with their superiors and left after about an hour.
On the night of 11-12 June 2024, at around 1 A.M., 10 to 12 uniformed policemen and four men in plain clothes came to the Ahmadiyya mosque. They turned off the lights, seized the DVR of the cameras, and then demolished the minarets of the mosque, completing the unworthy operation within half an hour. This mosque was constructed in 1970 on an Ahmadi’s property, and there are about fifteen Ahmadi families in this village.
As per Lahore High Court, the police acted in violation of LHC orders.
