Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Condemns Lahore Attacks

LONDON, May 28, 2010 - In response to the terrorist attacks that took place at two Ahmadi
mosques in Lahore earlier today, His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad
has issued the following statement:

"The terrorist attacks that occurred today at two of our mosques in
Lahore were completely barbaric and alien to all forms of humanity.

These attacks took place in mosques which are places of worship and at
the time of the Friday prayers which all Muslims know is a holy and sacred
time. No true Muslims could ever countenance such attacks, such cruelty and
such barbaric behaviour. No form of terrorism has any place in Islam and thus
those who were behind these attacks may justify their acts in its name, but
let it be clear they are Muslim only in name and never in deed.

The situation in Pakistan is extremely grave. For decades Ahmadi Muslims
have not been able to live in peace, in fact they live their lives in
constant danger. In 1974 Ahmadi Muslims were declared 'non-Muslim' by the
Government of Pakistan and then ten years later the infamous Ordinance XX was
adopted which criminalised all forms of Ahmadi worship and the practice of
its faith.

These laws effectively legitimised the exclusion and persecution of our
Jamaat in Pakistan. Ever since, extremists have taken advantage and targeted
Ahmadis. Despite this cruelty Ahmadis have remained loyal citizens of
Pakistan and have never shown any form of civil disobedience.

At this time we do not know the full extent of what has happened. However
it is clear that dozens of Ahmadis have been killed and many others have been
injured. I pray that Allah may grant patience to all those who have been left
bereaved and grant an elevated status in Paradise to those who have been
martyred. May God restore to health those who have been injured.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is a peace loving true Muslim Jamaat. Thus
there will be no improper reaction from any Ahmadi. Our salvation lies in our
supplications to God Almighty and we believe that He has, and always will,
help us. No terrorist and no government can ever stop the progress of our
Jamaat because it is a Divine organisation.

May Allah protect all good natured people from the evil acts of those
opposed to peace."

Abid Khan, Tel: +44(0)7795490682, Email: press at ahmadiyya.org.uk