Unjust Detention of Peaceful Worshippers: Ahmadi Muslim’s Imprisoned, Facing Threats of Further Arrests
On March 21, 2025, Ahmadi Muslim’s in Islampura, Punjab—like all Muslims worldwide—gathered at their local mosque for Friday prayers. Today, two peaceful worshippers are behind bars, and 48 others face imminent arrest.
Their crime? Being accused of “posing” as Muslims simply for practicing their faith and offering prayers as per their belief. Videos1 circulating on social media shows anti-Ahmadi Muslim mobs gathered around police.
Link to video on social media: https://x.com/faith_defence/status/1903212906591690804?s=46&t=qJrK62IRsj8eXEilMTXPBA
Ongoing Persecution
An FIR filed on March 21, 2025, led to these arbitrary arrests. The complainants charged Ahmadi Muslims under Sections 295-A, 298-B, and 298-C of the Pakistan Penal Code for “pretending” to be Muslim. Their alleged offenses include praying in congregation and possessing religious books, including what authorities have labelled “distorted” versions of the Holy Qur’an.
The complainants claim that witnessing this “seriously hurt” their religious sentiments. They have listed the names of eight Ahmadis, along with 40 unnamed individuals, for further arrests.
This incident follows the mass arrests of over 40 Ahmadis on February 28, 2025, marking a troubling trend of increasing persecution against Ahmadis for peacefully practicing their faith.
Urgent Call to Action
The IHRC finds these escalating arbitrary arrests deeply concerning and urges international human rights organizations and governments to intervene immediately. The IHRC specifically calls on:
- The UN, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch to condemn Pakistan and exert pressure for the immediate release of detained Ahmadis.
- World governments to hold Pakistan accountable for violating international human rights laws and norms.
- Legal and humanitarian organizations to provide urgent assistance to protect the detainees’ rights.
