Gender: Male
Current Location: Camp Jail, Lahore
Perpetrator: Pakistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Ahmadiyya
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: February/25/2021
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Blasphemy (Religious Texts) Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Conversion Hate Speech
Shiraz Ahmad
Extra Bio Info:
Shiraz Ahmad is detained for blasphemy.
On February 25, 2021, authorities arrested Ahmad after he was accused of creating a group online and sharing Ahmadi content in it. He was initially charged with "inciting interfaith hatred" (Sec. 11 Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016), "intending to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 295-A PPC), and "posing as Muslim" (Sec. 298-C PPC).
On July 15, 2021, the trial court reportedly also included the charges of "desecrating the Qur'an" (Sec. 295-B PPC) and "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC) against Ahmad.
Nov 16, 2021
The United Nations marks November 16 each year as the International Day for Tolerance. Religious tolerance is one key component of tolerance overall. Governments in the Middle East have increasingly espoused a doctrine of religious tolerance, especially after September 11, 2001. Along the same lines, the U.S. government has encouraged greater tolerance abroad as an antidote to extremism, especially violent extremism. Many countries in the Middle East showcase their churches, synagogues, and mosques as evidence of tolerance. The recently signed Abraham Accords have also reignited the conversation on religious tolerance.
USCIRF Supervisory Policy Analyst Scott Weiner joins us today to discuss the potential pitfalls of promoting religious tolerance rather than freedom of religion or belief as defined in the international human rights standards. He also discusses the difference between the two, and how the U.S. government can support religious tolerance in a way that most effectively advances the national interest in promoting religious freedom.
Follow the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Pandora, and Google Podcasts to get notifications of our weekly episodes.
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Pakistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Ahmadiyya
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Death Sentence Overturned
Sentence: Originally Death + 10 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: July/18/2014
Date of Sentencing: October/11/2017
Date of Release: January/14/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Other) Blasphemy (Religious Figures)
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech
Ghulam Ahmad
Extra Bio Info:
Ghulam Ahmad was imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy-related offenses.
On May 13, 2014, authorities arrested Ahmad alongside three others after they were accused of tearing down posters containing religious content in Bhoiwal. The police report filed against them in March 2014 alleged that they had violated Penal Code Sections 295-A, 337-2, and 427. Police later released Ahmad after Khalil Ahmad, who was arrested with Ahmad, was killed in police custody.
On July 18, 2014, Ahmad was arrested again.
In March 2015, "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC) was added to Ahmad's charge sheet.
On October 11, 2017, Ahmad was sentenced to death.
On December 8, 2021, the Lahore High Court acquitted Ahmad of "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC). Nevertheless, Ahmad remained sentenced to ten years in prison on the charge of "intending to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 295-A PPC).
On January 14, 2022, Ahmad was released from prison after completing his sentence.
Related Cases: Mubashar Ahmad, Ehsan Ahmad