From: amjad@otago.ac.nz
Newsgroups: news.groups
Subject: Re: 2nd RFD: soc.religion.islam.ahmadiyya moderated
Date: 6 Nov 92 15:14:02 +1300
Organization: University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

In article <1992Nov5.030539.11106@ucsu.Colorado.EDU>, rafiq@rintintin.Colorado.EDU (RAFIQ ANWAR) writes:
> 
> QUESTION ABOUT THE NAME: SOC.RELIGION.ISLAM.AHMADIYYA ?
> 
> 
> Do Ahmadis have the right to use the name Islam in their
> newsgroup? Are Ahmadis Muslims or not? Should Ahmadis be
> allowed to call themselves Muslims and their religion Islam?
> 
> These are some of the questions, I will address here.
> 
> Let me tell you the constitution of Pakistan as ammended 
> in 1974 and 1984, by the government of Pakistan at that time:
> 
> 	According to the Pakistan Constition; Ahmadis are 
> 	will be non-muslims. They are not allowed to call
> 	themselves muslims nor are allowed to practice Islam.
> 	They cannot greet other Muslims with Islamic greetings,
> 	They cannot worship according to their faith, they
> 	cannot call their places of worship as Mosques, they
> 	cannot call for prayers, they cannot vote untill they
> 	declare themselves to be non-muslims, they cannot even
> 	get a passport to travel untill they call themselves
> 	non-muslims. They are not allowed to do anything which
> 	may in anyway offends the feelings of Muslims. They
> 	are not allowed to declare or display their belief in
> 	God and Muhammad being this massenger. 
> 
> This might seem as a joke to some who don't know what the 
> Pakistan Law is like. But, everything I have written is true,
> and IS infact the Law of a shameful Pakistan. If you have 
> doubts, then read the article 298(C) of Pakistan Constitution.
> It is such a shameful constitution. 
> 
> The Muslims usenet community seems to follow this stupid 
> constitution, of this country Pakistan. But does the rest of
> the Usenet community want to do the same? Are you in any way
> obligated to follow is non-sence constitution? If NO, then
> I don't see any point why people are against the name of this
> proposed newsgroup. Why netters aren't allowing the name of 
> "Islam" to appear in the name of this newsgroup?
> 
> Surely, we, members of the Usenet community do not come under 
> the Ugly Pakistan Constitution. For a contrary look at some of
> the Western Constitutions which give full liberty to every 
> human in religeous matters. For an example let me quote you the
> first ammendment of the U.S. Constitution:
> 
> 	"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
> 	of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or 
> 	abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the 
> 	right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition 
> 	the Government for a redress of grievances.."
> 
> So, if the opposition about the name of this religous group
> continues on, I will have no option, other than beleiving that
> the Usenet community is following the bloody Pakistan Constitution,
> and nothing else!!!
> 
> Come on guys, lets broaden our minds, and let the Ahmadis call, what
> ever they feel like calling them selves.
> 
> I see no problem with soc.religion.islam.ahmadiyya, if the members
> of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community feel that should be their name.
> They have every right to call themselves Muslims. They have every
> right to call their religion Islam. It is only GOD who know about 
> one, who he really is!
> 
> 
> Regards;
> ANWAR RAFIQ

Well done Mr Anwar Rafiq.

Amjad Tariq, New Zealand.