Press Release
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Finland strongly condemns the torching of Churches and attacks on Christians in Pakistan
| For Immediate Release August 17, 2023 |
Contact: External Affairs Deptt. Email: Twitter: |
(M: +358401845162) extaffairs@ahmadiyya.fi @AMJ_Suomi |
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Finland strongly rejects, and unreservedly condemns the desecration and torching of Churches and extremist attacks on Christians in Jaranwala, district Faisalabad, Pakistan.
The Ahmadiyya Community condemns the attack in strongest terms and demands the authorities to bring the culprits in front of justice as soon as possible; and give full protection and security to all the citizens living in the country irrespective of their colour, creed, politics and faith.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is a peace-loving community, which believes in love, respect, tolerance, harmony and brotherhood. It respects the sentiments of the believers of all the faiths. And believes that all mankind is like a family, and it can only look after the peace and security of each member, only if it lives like a close-knit family.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat believes in the Quranic teachings of freedom of faith and rejects any kind of violence and force in the matters of faith. The Holy Quran states:
“There is no compulsion in religion.” (The Holy Quran – 2:257)
Muslims are commanded to honour human dignity, and in the early times of Islam when Muslims were given permission for defensive wars, it was forbidden to attack and demolish places of worship. Muslims have been made to promise that they will help defend the followers of other faiths from unjust and cruel attacks as well. For example, in his charter for all time to come addressed to all Christians living as citizens under Muslim rule, the Holy Founder of Islam, states:
“I promise that any monk or wayfarer who will seek my help on the mountains, in forests, deserts or habitations, or in places of worship, I will repel his enemies with my friends and helpers, with all my relatives and with all those who profess to follow me and will defend them, because they are my covenant.
And I will defend the covenanted against the persecution, injury and embarrassment of their enemies in lieu of the poll tax they have promised to pay. If they prefer to defend their properties and persons themselves, they will be allowed to do so and will not be put to any inconvenience on that account.
No bishop will be expelled from his bishopric, no monk from his monastery, no priest from his place of worship, and no pilgrim will be detained in his pilgrimage.
None of their churches and other places of worship will be desolated or destroyed or demolished. No material of their churches will be used to build mosques or houses for the Muslims; any Muslim doing so will be regarded as recalcitrant to Allah and His Prophet.
Every help shall be given them in the repair of their churches. They shall be absolved of wearing arms. They shall be protected by the Muslims. Let this document not be disobeyed till Judgment Day.”
The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, wrote a series of letters to various kings and communities declaring his intention for peace and cooperation. One such letter was written to the monks of the St. Catherine Monastery of Mt. Sinai in 628 A.D. and known today as the “Charter of Privileges.” In this letter he declared very clearly that the lives and properties of Christians living under Muslim governments should be protected.
The letter reads:
“This is a message from Muhammad, son of Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian it married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation of (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”
Regarding the matter of blasphemy, Islam advocates reverence and honor for all prophets and founders of various faiths; however, it does not prescribe any form of earthly retribution or punishment for their disrespect.
We, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Finland members, extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected by these assaults. We earnestly call for prompt measures against those responsible for this abhorrent, cruel, and savage deed. May the Almighty guide the world towards a sanctuary of tranquility, acceptance, concord, freedom, and global unity. Amen.
About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a peaceful, law abiding, nonviolent and loving community. Founded in 1889, the Community spans more than 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the leading Islamic organization to categorically reject terrorism in any form. Similarly, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to endorse a separation of mosque and state. Today, it continues to be an advocate for universal human rights and protections for religious and other minorities. It champions the empowerment and education of women. Its members are among the most law-abiding, educated, and engaged Muslims in the world. For official website of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Finland, please visit: www.ahmadiyya.fi.