Saudi Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues

This is very disturbing news... Is there no end to their intolerance?

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Saudi Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues
Date:	24 Mar :01:
From:	Alislam | Press Release
Reply-To:	egazette@alislam.org
Organization:	Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful.

International Press and Media Desk.
AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY.
22 Deer Park, London, SW19 3TL.
Tel / Fax . Mobile  Email: press@ahmadiyya.org.uk
Web: www.alislam.org
24 March 2008

PRESS RELEASE SAUDI PERSECUTION OF AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY
CONTINUES

A recent report highlighted the continued persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
in Saudi Arabia (i). The report stated that the Saudi Government was trying to modernise
its Education System by issuing new school textbooks, however these continued to describe
members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community as 'heretical'.

Thus the systematic and institutionalised persecution continues.   It is most unfortunate that the Saudi Government,
which calls itself an Islamic Government, in fact acts in the most un-Islamic way. The Holy
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself taught that no one had the right to call
another person a non-Muslim if that person counted himself as such. And yet in their most
basic literature the Saudi Government contravene this fundamental teaching by virtue of its
policy of religious exclusion. 

Abid Khan, the Press Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said:  "It is very
disappointing that the Saudi authorities continue to class the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
as heretical. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only sect of Islam which can truthfully
lay claim to practising and preaching the true message of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) which was one of peace, inclusion and forbearance."

Ahmadi Muslims have continued to suffer great persecution in Saudi Arabia for many years.
This persecution intensified in late 2005 and early 2006 when the Saudi authorities
embarked upon a nationwide campaign to arrest and deport Ahmadis for no reason other than
their faith.   Sarah Leah Whitson, the Middle East Director at Human Rights Watch said:
"The Saudi Government's persecution of Ahmadis on the basis of their faith is turning Saudi
Arabia into a byword for religious intolerance." (ii)    It is hoped that the Saudi authorities
bring an end to the overt and covert persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and
allow peoples of all faiths to co-exist peacefully as per the true teachings of Islam. 

End of Release

Further Information: Abid Khan Press Secretary
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (UK) )

i) Yemen Times 19 March 2008.

ii) http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/01/24/saudia15180.htm