Hate speech continues unabated in Pakistan

Hate speech flourishes in Pakistan, inciting violence with impunity. Lately, anti Ahmedis posters have been cropping up around Karachi

Anti-Ahmedi poster on display at a the Masjid Haider Karraar, Block 2, Clifton, Karachi

These posters, which are visible around the city, display a fatwa (clerical opinion) in Urdu by Ahmed Raza Khan Bralevi, urging people to disassociate themselves from Ahmedis in respect of all matters of life and death. According to this ‘fatwa‘, Muslims should not visit an Ahmedi who falls ill, and it is “haraam” to help an Ahmedi patient. It also declares it “haraam” to attend the funeral of an Ahmedi or allow them to be buried in a cemetery used by “Muslims”.

The “fatwa” says that any animal slaughtered by an Ahmedi is “haraam” as well and that anyone who feel sympathetic towards Ahmedis is a “Kafir” (infidel).

Such irresponsible “fatwas” smack of persecution and are far from the true message of Islam. In his lifetime, the Prophet Mohammad (on Him be Peace) visited and helped all kinds of non-Muslims, and preached the message of peace, tolerance and harmony.

Anti-Ahmedi poster on display at a the Masjid Haider Karraar, Block 2, Clifton, Karachi

Such “fatwas” are fitna (divisive), creating divisions among human beings, preaching hate and violence that has nothing to do with religion but are simply misusing religion for political gains.

If you know of similar hate material posted at other places, please share snapshots / information with us via email: cfd.pak@gmail.com

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it” — Martin Luther King Jr.

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