Atif Mian
On Thursday, June 5th, the principal of Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, expelled every student who belonged to the Ahmadi community from the college.
A total of twenty three students, fifteen female and eight male, across the five years of medical school have been expelled as a result. Further details regarding the incident can also be found in reports from the BBC and from the Daily Times.
The Ahmadi students were “accused” of preaching their religious beliefs. The principal was pressured into expelling the entire Ahmadi student body by a mob of protesters belonging to Islami Jamiat e Talaba. The mob circled the Principal’s office and demanded the expulsions. The same day, a mob of about 300 college students also barged into Ahmadi students’ rooms, beat them and threw their luggage out of their rooms.
What makes this incident especially troubling is the fact that the decision to expel Ahmadi students was taken by a government-run medical school, under full knowledge of the relevant Punjab ministries.
As an academic, and a Pakistani, I am totally appalled by this latest incidence of religious fanaticism. One hopes that the present Punjab government turns a page, and instead of supporting the forces of extremism, comes to the protection of its ordinary citizens.
Atif Mian is Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business.
its totally NOT FAIR.
Every human ebing is indipendant.if u believe that GOD is alive.then let HIM to decide.Who are you to decide.
If u accpt this action as a right then how u can say wrong about Denmark action.
Be sensible
Zeeshan Australia
@ Mullah Nasreddin, his donkey,
and their phlosophy, I can smell on this subject, I wish
I could see guys face to face, atleast some of you.
Specially anti-jamiat Secular Scavengers Pendoos.
must gave enough gutts to face the truth !!
Rafay Kashmiri
It is important that there is rule of law and fair trial for everyone, at least this much all of us should agree to if we are civilised people regardless of creed. 300 of one side beating up 4 of other side is no application of law instead a violation of it.
The question here is really not whose beliefs are correct but rather what rights one holds in a civilised democratic society and how to uphold them. I hope no one comes round and turn this discussion into a religious debate as this is not about religion but rather about fair and lawful handling of any situation.
I must say, I am against all religion in universities and colleges. But that should mean ALL religion. And the first step should be to ban the Jamiat hooligans. They are really a bunch of thugs and rule by fear and intimidation everywhere.
Personally, I do not believe Ahmedi belief to be correct, but what they believe is their business and they will have to be answerable to Allah SWT themselves. It is not my business and it should not be the business of the Jamiat or the Principal of the college.
But all discrimination is wrong. I live in Europe and incidences like this in Pakistan by the Jamiat make it more difficult for me to practice Islam here. How can I object to people saying and doing bad things about my religion here if these muslims in Pakistan are saying and doing bad things to other religions there.
Sham, Jamiat, Shame.
Wah…
On another board an ignorant bigoted poster was hailing this.
Hats off to Teeth Maestro and Adnan Siddiqi for standing up for those who are discriminated against in a manner that is quite unbecoming and unPakistani.