Originally published in Daily Times One of Pakistan’s organisations of the clergy, the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), held a national conference titled, ‘Why dialogue between various sects and religions is essential.’ The PUC’s central chairman, Maulana Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, presided over this well-attended conference in Islamabad. The conference was reported widely in the media. And why wouldn’t...
Originally published in Fox News Dear Mehdi, Greetings of peace! You’ve been all over the place: CNN, New York Times, Wall Street Journal,Washington Post, Reuters… Up until a week ago, most Americans didn’t know you. But now, for millions, you are a celebrity. Because the media is telling your story… How you hail from this tiny hamlet called Rabwah, out in the boondocks of...
Originally published in Time News Like hundreds of other Ahmadi Muslims, Dr. Mehdi Ali Qamar was murdered only for his faith. Combined, education and compassion can conquer such extremism. Dr. Mehdi Ali Qamar was the type of friend every American would proudly brag about. He was a loyal U.S. citizen. He was only 50, a loving husband and father of three. He dedicated his life to medicine and to...
Originally published in The Express Tribune Ashir is just two-years-old. Yesterday, he was witness to the most horrific tragedy anyone can imagine. His father – a 50-year-old doctor – was brutally murdered in Pakistan. His crime: He belonged to the Ahmadiyya community. Dr Mehdi Ali was a US-trained cardiologist on a medical mission to Pakistan. He was visiting Tahir Heart Institute; a state-of...
Originally published in The Hartford Courant There is a dire need to stand up against religious persecution. Last Monday, after paying tribute to our men and women in uniform on Memorial Day, my religious community, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, commemorated another recent American hero, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his service. Dr. Mehdi Qamar, a cardiologist practicing near...
Originally published in The Chicago Tribune I would like to take time to remember the fallen soldiers who have served throughout our country’s history. These powerful men and women sacrificed their lives, their wealth and their time for the sake of their country. As a Muslim American, I feel as though it is my duty to honor and salute these fallen soldiers this Memorial Day for their...
Originally published in The Asbury Park Press I was born in Pakistan but immigrated to the United States in 1998. The primary reason that I left Pakistan was the persecution that I faced because of my religious beliefs. In fact, an amendment to the Pakistani constitution in 1974 declared my sect, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, “non-Muslim,” thereby opening the door to state-sponsored persecution...
Originally published in The Baltimore Sun I believe the government should be allowed to collect metadata on our calls (“Judge upholds NSA phone scrutiny,” Dec. 28). I find Washington Judge Richard J. Leon’s rejection of NSA spying as “almost Orwellian” and New York Judge William H. Pauley’s acceptance of the practice easily reconcilable. It is human nature to...
Originally published in Times of Trenton and Asbury Park Press I was born in Pakistan, but immigrated to the United States more than a decade ago. The primary reason I left Pakistan was the persecution that I faced because of my religious beliefs. In fact, an amendment to the Pakistani constitution in 1974 declared my sect, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, “non-Muslim,” thereby opening the door to...
Originally published in the Daily Herald I would like to take my time to remember the millions of fallen soldiers who have served humanity 24/7, 365 days a year, throughout our country’s history. These powerful men and women sacrificed their lives, their wealth and their time for the sake of their country and nation. As a Muslim-American, I feel as though it is my duty to honor and salute...