By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at, Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Earlier today two mosques belonging to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Lahore were attacked by terrorists. The mosques were the Baitul Nur Mosque in Model Town and the Darul Zikr Mosque in Gharishaw.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Although it is not yet clear what the exact numbers are, it is being reported that dozens of Ahmadi Muslims have been killed, many more injured. Ahmadi witnesses are saying that the mosque is covered in blood.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The attacks are the culmination of years of un-policed persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which is a minority sect in Pakistan. In 1974 legislation was passed that declared Ahmadis to be ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”non-MuslimƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ and in 1984 further legislation was passed in which the practice of the faith was outlawed. At regular intervals since then Ahmadi Muslims have been attacked but todayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s attack is the most cruel and barbaric. All Ahmadis, who are based in 195 countries, are peace loving and tolerant people and yet they are continually targeted by extremist factions.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ During his Friday Sermon at 1pm today the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat (Community) His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad condemned the terrorist attacks.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Today two our mosques in Lahore were attacked by extremists. At the moment we do not have full details of what has happened. It is clear though that a number of our Ahmadis have been killed and many others have been injured.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ These people had merely come to the mosque to offer their Friday prayers and yet became victims of a heinous terrorist attack. May God grant patience to the bereaved and elevate the status of those who have been martyred.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Further details will be issued by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat at regular intervals.