The dreadful outrage was undertaken in Sialkot on 23/24 May night by a mob with active assistance of state functionaries. As a result an Ahmadiyya mosque was badly damaged and a historic residence destroyed.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, the founder of Ahmadiyya denomination had lived in that small house during his stay in Sialkot prior to his ministry. This residence is of great religious sentiment to Ahmadis, as a number of traditions and reports are associated with it.
Ahmadis had undertaken repairs and renovation of this house with permission from local authorities. Recently mullas came to know of it, and found it useful to precipitate a riot and threaten law and order. Some sections of the civil society, a few bigots from the lawyers community, and some ‘pious’ officials and politicians etc supported the mulla and demanded immediate action against Ahmadis for ‘outraging the religious feelings of Muslims.’ A few days ago, the timid district administration proceeded to forbid Ahmadis further work, and sealed the residence.
This effort to soothe the miscreants did not succeed, so the municipal authorities decided to join them to do what they demanded.
Last night at about 22:45 some officials arrived at the site and told Ahmadis of their intention to demolish the 19th century house for being ‘unlawful’. Ahmadis asked them to show ‘authorisation’ papers; they had none. The police also arrived in the meantime and they took the line that though legal written orders are not available, the demolition will nevertheless be undertaken ‘as law and order is threatened’. Soon a mob, 600-700, arrived and all these joined in to demolish the house. Thereafter the miscreants attacked the adjacent mosque and demolished its minarets, dome, doors etc.
These people were there till 03:00. Some of them came back at 04:30 and indulged in further damage. This time the officials did not join them, and acted as mere spectators.
This entire incident happened with the collusion and participation of the administration and the police.
The police earlier booked two Ahmadis, the local Emir and the president on fabricated charge of ‘unlawful construction’.
Ahmadis are very grieved and feel greatly hurt.