Daska, Punjab (January 17, 2025) – In a shocking and deeply controversial move, local authorities in Daska, Punjab, have demolished a historic Ahmadi mosque that was built by Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, one of the founding fathers of Pakistan, before 1947. The mosque, a significant symbol of the country’s shared heritage and religious diversity, was razed to the ground in an act of destruction that has sent shockwaves throughout Pakistan and beyond.
The mosque, constructed by Khan, who played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s creation and its diplomatic history, held not only religious but also historical value, marking an important chapter in the nation’s past. Today’s demolition has been widely condemned, as it is seen as a direct assault on the minority Ahmadi community, whose places of worship and members continue to face violent persecution in the country.
A Disheartening Symbol of Religious Intolerance
The demolition occurred under the supervision of Punjab’s provincial government, with authorities citing legal and administrative reasons for the action. However, this argument has been largely dismissed by human rights groups and civil society, who see the destruction as a clear case of religious persecution. Ahmadis, who have long been targeted by violent extremists in Pakistan, continue to face systemic discrimination, including the destruction of their mosques, the desecration of their graves, and the denial of basic rights.
The demolition has sparked fierce protests from the Ahmadi community, as well as outrage from human rights advocates both within Pakistan and internationally. Critics have accused the Pakistani government of enabling the growing intolerance that has plagued the nation for years, while showing little regard for the rights of religious minorities.
Religious Hypocrisy on Display
What has added fuel to the fire is the reported involvement of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) – a hardline religious group known for its extremist views. According to eyewitnesses, as the authorities destroyed the mosque, TLP members were seen chanting slogans of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as they participated in the demolition. This display of hypocrisy—chanting religious slogans while destroying a house of Allah—has further angered Pakistan’s minority communities, who are already fearful of growing extremism in the country.
A Nation at Crossroads
The demolition has raised serious questions about Pakistan’s commitment to religious freedom and the protection of minorities. Religious intolerance, once a simmering undercurrent in the country, has now become a stark reality. The persecution of Ahmadis is not a new issue, but today’s actions are a clear indication of the deepening crisis. For many, the destruction of the mosque represents a larger, ongoing campaign to marginalize the Ahmadi community.
According to reports, the demolition of the mosque is just the latest incident in a series of attacks against the Ahmadi community in Pakistan, where individuals continue to be persecuted simply for practicing their faith.
