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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| US wants repeal of anti-Ahmadi, blasphemy laws |
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| WhatDFish |
| 02/26/02 at 03:32:01 |
| US wants repeal of anti-Ahmadi, blasphemy laws By Nadeem Malik ISLAMABAD: A resolution has been introduced in the House of Representatives of the United States urging Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law and the provisions that declare Ahmadis non-Muslim. The resolution was introduced on February 14th, on the eve of President General Pervez Musharraf's US visit. The House referred it to the Committee on International Relations. It says that under the Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, `everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.' It also says that under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, `no one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief of his choice.' The resolution maintains that the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief is inextricably linked to the exercise of other rights, including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, the right to freedom of association with others, and the right to freedom of statement, and the recognition that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law, including in employment. It observed that the Department of State's annual reports on religious freedom and human rights have documented numerous instances of legal and government discrimination in Pakistan based on religion or belief, in the context of the Blasphemy Law. It also mentions the Martial Ordinance XX of 1984 that declares Ahmadis as non-Muslims. The resolution observed that General Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan explained that his "view is of a tolerant Islam, Islam in the true sense, and not an Islam, which is manipulated for political gains. Islam is a `deen', a way of life. I am a believer in taking Islam in its real, progressive form, a much broader futuristic view rather than a dogmatic and retrogressive one." So, the resolution urged President General Pervez Musharraf to repeal the Blasphemy Law. It also calls for repealing the Martial Ordinance XX, and appealed President General Musharraf to release prisoners jailed under Ordinance XX and the Blasphemy Law. The resolution also urged the president to repeal the 8th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan declaring Ahmadis `non-Muslims' under the law. It encourages General Musharraf to eliminate the requirement to declare one's religion when applying for a passport or swear to exclusive statements regarding religion, admission to an educational institution, obtaining the national identity card, or employment. The resolution also called upon the US president and the secretary of state to raise violations of the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief, at every appropriate level with representatives of the government of Pakistan, including during discussions regarding terrorism and nuclear proliferation; and include experts on religious liberty on United States delegations to Pakistan and to appropriate regional and international meetings. (courtesy of The News) ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* |
| Re: US wants repeal of anti-Ahmadi, blasphemy laws |
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| mujaahid |
| 02/27/02 at 13:17:25 |
| This makes me wonder, is Mushrraf a Ahmadi ??? |
| Re: US wants repeal of anti-Ahmadi, blasphemy laws |
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| humble_muslim |
| 02/28/02 at 10:22:19 |
| [slm] Let's make a deal. Pakistan will repeal all Ahmadhi laws as long as America gives US Citizenship to all Pakistanis, both legal and illegal, living in teh US at the moment. Deal, George baby ? |
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