Home Ministry promises security to Ahmadiyyas, issues advisory for their Jalsa in Punjab
The Centre has issued an 11-point advisory to the Punjab Police asking it to provide security to the annual convention of Ahmadiyaa community at Qadian.
In Short
- Ahmadiyyas to get security cover for its Jalsa.
- Centre issues advisory to Punjab Police.
- Annual convention will be held on December 26.
In the wake of virulent criticism of Ahmadiyya Muslim community and terrorist threat perception for their annual convention to be held in Punjab later this month, Union Home Ministry has ordered a two-kilometre full-proof security perimeter around Ahmadiyya headquarters at Qadian in Gurdaspur.
Highly placed intelligence sources said that the home ministry has asked the state government to provide adequate security to Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Headquarters at Qadian.
The annual convention of the Ahmadiyya community is scheduled to be held on December 26. Other states have also been advised to take security measure for the safety of the community's missions and branches spread all over India.
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The move was initiated on a specific request from Secretary Anjuman Ahmadiyya.
WHY AHMADIYYAS SEEK SECURITY
Sources said that several Islamic organisations are extremely critical of Ahmadiyyas for their belief in a prophet after Prophet Muhammad.
Many other Islamic communities believe in the concept of Khatm-e-Naboowat, that is, finality of Prophethood. There cannot be other prophet after Prophet Mohammad. Several Muslim groups, in India and abroad, have even declared the Ahmadiyyas as heretic.
WHAT DOES MHA REPORT SAY
The report prepared by home ministry, on the basis of intelligence inputs, says that efforts by the "rabid" groups to harm Ahmadiyya interest cannot be ruled out.
The government report cited the statement of alleged Indian Mujahideen and former Students of Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) operative Mohammed Mojibuillah Ansari, who had claimed that he planned to target places related to the Ahmadiyyas.
Ansari was arrested in connection with 2013-Bodhgaya blast in Bihar. He had identified Punjab's Qadiani Centre among the targets for attack. SIMI operatives had allegedly undertaken reconnaissance of Qadian, he told investigators.
ADVISORY TO PUNJAB POLICE
The home ministry has sent an 11-point recommendation to the Punjab Police to ensure tight security arrangements for the annual convention.
Deployment of police personnel in plain clothes has also been recommended. The Centre has advised the state police to increase patrolling around the Ahmadiyya Mohalla in Qadian.
Ahmadiyya community is holding its 125th Jalsa (annual convention). Members from many countries including Pakistan are expected to attend the convention.
The Gurdaspur district administration led by Deputy Commissioner Pardip Sabharwal has already held a meeting in connection with preparations at Nangal Baghbana for the event.
WHO ARE AHMADIYYAS
Ahmadiyya is an Islamic religious movement founded in Punjab towards the end of the 19th century. It originated with the life and teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in 1889.
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed to have been divinely appointed as Mujaddid (renewer) of Islam. The adherents of the Ahmadiyya movement are referred to as Ahmadi Muslims or simply Ahmadis.
Ahmadiyyas view themselves as leading the revival and peaceful propagation of Islam.
The Ahmadiyya community has expanded estimated to be more than 20 million world-wide with its presence in 209 countries with concentrations in South Asia, West Africa, East Africa and Indonesia.