Members of Congress Condemn “Heinous” Massacre of Ahmadi Muslims

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 31, 2023—Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA is grateful for the bi-partisan words of support expressed by Congressmen Jim McGovern from Massachusetts and Michael McCaul from Texas during the 2023 International Religious Freedom Summit opening session today.

Congressman Jim McGovern, who also serves as Co-Chair for the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, stated, “And I want to close by highlighting one deadly example of religious intolerance.  Yesterday, our friends in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community told me about the cold-blooded execution of 9 of their adherents in Burkina Faso [on January 11th, 2023]. There is no question that the men were killed because of their beliefs.  They were told to renounce their faith or die.  And I hope that everyone attending this Summit – whatever their faith tradition – will condemn this heinous act and demand respect for the religious freedom of Ahmadi Muslims because anything else would go against the values and principles that we all claim to support.”

Congressman Michael McCaul, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed the same sentiment, stating, “Jim mentioned the Ahmadiyya Muslims–very peaceful, loving Muslims who are persecuted in Pakistan. And it’s just very sad to see that that’s still happening in this world today.”

On January 30, 2022, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA briefed over 120 Congressional offices on the importance of supporting international religious freedom for everyone. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA appreciates the members of Congress for their recognition of the unthinkable atrocities facing the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community today and hopes to work together to create paths to stop the persecution of innocent people around the world.

About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans 213 countries with tens of millions of members. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is the oldest American-Muslim organization.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.

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