Ahmadi Muslims will host prayers across the UK today in solidarity with the victims of the Punjab mosque attack which left one dead and the Ahmadi community fearing for their safety.
Politicians and Ahmadiyya Muslims will gather at London's Baitul Futuh Mosque at 1 pm today in a public display of respect and solidarity with the Punjab Ahmadiyya community. Relatives of Malik Khalid Javaid who died of a heart attack during the Punjab attack will join the gathering at Britain's biggest mosque this afternoon.
The Ahmadiyya community are asking others to join them to condemn extremism at Friday prayers in mosques throughout Britain.
Rafiq Hayat, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, said:
"The Chakwal attack was an orchestrated and pre-planned campaign by sympathisers of Khatme Nabuwwat. This group has branches in the UK and is linked to hate-mongering in this country.
"The attack followed the first ever attack by the Pakistan authorities on our headquarters in Rabwah under the guise of anti-terror laws - despite no evidence of any violence by our community in the history of our existence - where four Ahmadis were arbitrarily arrested and have been tortured in custody.
"Extremists are being given free rein in Pakistan and one must not forget that this has implications in Britain. There is heightened concern about radicalisation in the UK.
"We express our absolute shock and outrage at the continuing targeting and attacks upon minorities in Pakistan. Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws and religious apartheid allows fundamentalists to peddle their hate and whip up attacks upon minorities. Ahmadiyya, along with Shias and Christians and Hindus are often attacked thus.
"We call upon the international community to put pressure on Pakistan for the immediate release of the Ahmadis arrested and prevent any further attacks on the community and to ask for Pakistan to end its harassment and persecution of Ahmadis. Bringing to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack is of paramount importance."