Persecuted Muslims: 'We Will not be Cowered'

LONDON, June 3, 2010 - More than six thousand will gather at a prayer service on Friday in
memory of the 86 Ahmadi Muslims killed in last week's massacres in Pakistan -
84 lost their lives in attacks on two Lahore mosques on Friday - one of the
bloodiest days Pakistan has ever seen - and then on Monday in a separate
atrocity a home in Narowal was attacked with two Ahmadis murdered.

Prayers will take place at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London, led by
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Khalifa (Supreme Head) of the worldwide
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, where several relatives of those murdered - that
included one British citizen - will also be attending. A book of condolence
has been opened and is being signed by MPs, civic leaders and members of the
public.

Ahmadi Muslims are trying to come to terms with the atrocity. And,
despite receiving further threats from extremists that they will again be
targeted, Ahmadi Muslims have vowed to carry on their campaign to promote the
true message of Islam.

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

"We have been targeted for more than 50 years in Pakistan where the
Government has played a major role in sanctioning persecution against us due
to its specific laws against our community. We pray that these latest
atrocities will stir them into action to repeal those laws."

"Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan have demonstrated the strength of their faith
in the face of such violence by remaining true to their Islamic beliefs. We
will not be cowered and will not be deterred. We will fight on - not with
guns or fists, but with our message 'Love for All, Hatred for None'. We
remain determined to show the real face of Islam to the world whatever these
fanatics do or say. We refuse to let them win."

Earlier this year, Ahmadi Muslims in Britain launched a major campaign on
'loyalty, freedom and peace', highlighting the true teachings of Islam, which
included the distribution of a special leaflet to millions of people, and
peace messages on buses across the country. As part of that campaign the
community is holding a Peace Walk in Birmingham on 13th June to raise tens of
thousands of pounds for British charities.

    Dr Basharat Nazir
    Press Secretary
    Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK
    Baitul Futuh Mosque
    181 London Road
    Morden SM4 5PT
    United Kingdom
    Phone: +44-7703-483-384
    www.ahmadiyya.org.uk

Dr Basharat Nazir, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK, Baitul Futuh Mosque, 181 London Road, Morden SM4 5PT, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-7703-483-384