Nelson Mandela was doubtless one of the greatest public figures of our times. Just like the rest of the world, he commands massive support and respect from Pakistan. However, the confusion that prevails in Pakistan once again manifests itself clearly upon the demise of Mandela. While vast majority of Pakistanis who know him equivocally support his cause (end of social and political discrimination), they also seem to fully support the discriminatory laws that exist in Pakistan and target the religious minorities. Fact of the matter is that the Constitution of Pakistan does not grant reasonable rights, let alone equal rights, to its religious minorities. And the reality becomes stark when it is evident that majority of people support this discrimination. We seem to applaud any struggle for justice in remote societies while rejecting any such efforts at home.

Thoughts?

Well as far as I know no doors are legally or politically closed upon the minoroties except the office of the president and prime minister. Social descrimination remains however, but that is a separate thing to deal with. it would require long struggle under a visionary leader like Mandela to raise awareness and overcome issues . It very easy to criticize and raise voice but it requires determination and strong belief to survive 27 years improsinment for your cause.

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The precondition for existence of a higher humanity is not the state, but the nation possessing the necessary ability.

Well, I was specifically talking of the discrimination that exists on the basis of religion. If you are not a Muslim, you can't preach and you can't erect any new place of worship. If you are a Muslim, your life is in danger if you decide to leave your ancestral religion. And if you belong to the Ahmadi community, your life can be on the line for slightest lapse. Personally if I am a Muslim and consider Ahmadis non-Muslim, that is my right. However, state does not have right to declare a section of population non-Muslim and take away their rights. Discrimination on the basis of religion is one of the bleak realities of Pakistan, and it enjoys heavy support from masses.

Well that my friend is like imposing minority upon majority, Mandela's struggle was to end apartheid and win rights for the opressed 'majority' . Ahmadis are declared non-muslims by 'Islamic' Republic of Pakistan and you need to remove 'Islamic' in order to achieve what you stated because religion can't be changed, however its understanding can be improved .

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The precondition for existence of a higher humanity is not the state, but the nation possessing the necessary ability.

That's what I was talking about. State-sanctioned suppression of sections of population in the name of religion, supported by majority of population, including the educated lot. Whether racial, religious or any other kind, it nonetheless is discrimination. Islam has nothing to do with it. No one asks a Muslim to consider Ahmadis in the fold of Islam if s/he feels that their views are un-Islamic. The state, however, has no right to do so. And "Islam" is just a tag with the name and has only been exploited by the ruling elite ever since the inception of the country, be it the military or mullahs or politicians.

I think that remains an issue, we do have state sanctioned (i.e. state remains complicit or silent) suppression but not state sponsored (i.e. state make it legal and commit itself acts of) suppression. Definitely understanding of the religion needs to be improved if we are going to have a society as large as a nation-state on its basis. However the religion can't be changed in order to make everyone Muslim, whether they believe in finality of prophet-hood or not .

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The precondition for existence of a higher humanity is not the state, but the nation possessing the necessary ability.

1. No one asked to bring about any change in religion. As a Muslim, anyone can continue to believe that Ahmadis are non-Muslims. I am talking about laws.

2. State-sanction becomes state-sponsor when discriminatory laws are enacted and enforced.

That has changed quite a lot recently . Can you please quote discriminatory laws (except for president and prime minister's office which is well known ).

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The precondition for existence of a higher humanity is not the state, but the nation possessing the necessary ability.

The notorious article 260 - (3) of the Constitution of Pakistan excludes Ahmadis from the fold of Islam. Like I said, it is perfectly all right if I as a Muslim consider them non-Muslims. The state, however, has no right of such discrimination among its citizens. That is not about religion but the laws of the state.

Amendments in Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) were further brought about during the dictatorship of Zia-ul Haq. Article 298-B of Pakistan Penal Code takes away the right of Ahmadis of erecting their places of worship, calling them mosques, or using any epithets, descriptions and titles etc. used by "Muslims". The punishment is 3 years and fine. (that is, if you are not already lynched by the mob).

298-C of PPF further restricts Ahmadis from even calling themselves Muslims or pretending to be Muslims. The punishment, again, is 3 years and fine. What's more, the article takes away the liberty of calling "azan" from Ahmadies in their places of worship. Punishment, again the same.

Ordinance XX of Zia-ul-Haq: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordinance_XX

I hope you get the picture. If this is not state-sanction and state-sponsor (with the wide support of the good people of Pakistan), I don't know what is.

That 'notorious' article defines who is a muslim and who is not. Pakistan was founded on the basis of Islam and it has to remain within Islam for its existence and Islam clearly states you need to have belief in finality of prophet-hood. There is no point in saying Muslims may believe whatever, Islam may say whatever, but Islamic state must not define who is Muslim and who is not. As I said you need to remove 'Islamic' from its name .

In many 'secular' countries you are not allowed to call azan on loud speakers, and in case of Pakistan we have bloody riots on what is being called from loud speakers . Moreover if Ahmadis are allowed to call azan on loudspeaker then why not hindus allowed to call their bhajans or Christians allowed to call their rhymes. Ahmadis hold a religious belief that prophet-hood still continues which is in stark contradiction to Islamic teachings (hence they are determined non-muslims under Islam), however they want to call their place of worship with same name as Muslim place of worship which is potentially misleading. Therefore they need to change the title of their place of worship. Even Shiites who are recognized as Muslim use a different name .

Distinction between Muslims and Ahmadia is a must, Ahmadia themselves have to take care to identify themselves correctly and not be deceitful . An Islamic state will obviously enact laws to protect its ideological boundaries. Nevertheless Ahmadia should have complete freedom to practice their religious beliefs and do it openly instead of using mock titles from another religion .

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The precondition for existence of a higher humanity is not the state, but the nation possessing the necessary ability.