Terrorist Attack on Ahmadi Muslim Mosque in Pakistan Leaves Several Injured

An armed attack occurred today (Friday 5 October) at Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Rabwah, Pakistan, injuring several Ahmadi Muslim volunteers.

According to initial reports, an armed assailant opened fire on members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who were volunteering outside the Mosque to ensure the safety of worshippers. Several Ahmadi Muslims were fired upon and injured. At least two Ahmadi Muslims sustained critical injuries, whilst others suffered less severe injuries.

The terrorist was shot dead by security personnel at the scene before he could enter the Mosque and target more innocent civilians.

During his weekly Friday Sermon, speaking from Farnham, Surrey, the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Today in Rabwah, at Baitul Mahdi located in Gol Bazaar, terrorists launched an attack in which five or six of our members were injured. Two of them are in a critical condition … May Allah the Almighty grant them a full and speedy recovery … One of the terrorists was killed by our security personnel, while another managed to flee.”

His Holiness called upon the Government of Punjab to uphold justice and fulfil its duty to protect all citizens, rather than making hollow claims that crime in the province has been entirely eradicated.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“May Allah swiftly bring to justice those terrorists, lawbreakers, and opponents of the Community. The government of Punjab and its Chief Minister claim that crime in Punjab has been one hundred percent controlled and that no criminals remain. Yet, the repeated attacks upon Ahmadi Muslims – their being martyred, injured, or having their properties set ablaze – are seemingly not counted as crimes.”

This attack comes amid a long and painful history of systematic persecution faced by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Pakistan. Ahmadi Muslims are legally prohibited from identifying as Muslims or practising their faith openly.

Last month, an Ahmadiyya mosque in Bahawalnagar was desecrated, while over 200 attackers set fire to properties in Piro Chak. Similar attacks also occurred this year in Daska, Faisalabad, and Karachi, targeting mosques and community members.