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.
@Sabahat,
although I’m 23, I don’t think this attitude is restricted to the younger generation. I think what you’re getting to see on this blog is a sampling of normal Pakistanis, as opposed to the ones who make it to the TV screens.
I am appalled by the incident. What makes things worse is that what if Christian countries start persecuting the minorities in a similar fashion. I live in USA, what if the government – in the footsteps set by Paksitan- says that Muslim students or Christians from minority groups will be expelled from public school because of their religious belief?
When will these extremists understand Islam?
Unfortunately, in the world today, most Christian countries are following Islamic Value of religious tolerance. If you don
Dear Allah Wasaya Sahib,
Its hard to believe but its true as two of my dear Uncles were sent to jail (one for 3 months and the other for 6 months) only beacuse they had a kalima “La ilaha illalla Muhammad ur rasulala” batch attached to their chests.
For details on Ahmadi Persecution: http://www.thepersecution.org/
I am saddened and ashamed on this. They should not have done this, every one has the right to education regardless of their beliefs.
I was reading the link given in the post to the BBC article about this incidence, I noticed a couple of more articles regarding Ahmedis in Pakistan on the same page and was surprised to read that it is UNLAWFUL for them to use expressions like InshaAllah, MashaAllah etc even greeting someone with the customary Asalam O Alaikum is a punishable offense. I am truly speechless.