Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Response to Attack on Lahore Shrine

LONDON, July 2, 2010 - The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK expresses its deepest condolences to
the families of victims of the attack on the Sufi shrine Data Darbar in
Lahore.

We also wish to express our outright condemnation of all acts of violence
- especially those that target innocent people at places of worship. We
believe firmly in Islam which makes it abundantly clear that a crime against
one person, by taking an innocent's life, is a crime against all of humanity.
As evidenced by the attacks on our two mosques in Lahore on 28 May, the
Ahmadi Muslims know only too well the pain, grief and suffering inflicted by
such incidents and we stand united with others to defy these forces of evil.

Rafiq Hayat, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK,
said:

"Targeting of religious groups, be they Sufis, Shias, Ahmadis, Hindus,
Sikhs or Christians is commonplace in Pakistan - we call on the Government of
Pakistan to act decisively to protect all its citizens and to repeal laws
that provide shelter for religious extremists.

"We call on the British Government and the wider international community
to put pressure on Pakistan to take decisive measures against extremists who
incite hatred and violence towards religious sects. We also urge the British
Government to remain vigilant to prevent similar extremism from being
preached and spread to these shores."

    Dr Basharat Nazir
    Press Secretary
    Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK
    The Baitul Futuh Mosque
    181 London Road
    Morden SM4 5HF
    Email media@ahmadiyya.org.uk
    Mobile +44(0)7703-483-384

Dr Basharat Nazir, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK, The Baitul Futuh Mosque,
181 London Road, Morden SM4 5HF, Email media at ahmadiyya.org.uk, Mobile +44(0)7703-483-384