This Press Release is issued further to the Press Release issued by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat on 7 February 2011
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, has praised the role of the media in the aftermath of the tragic murder of 3 Ahmadi Muslims in Cikeusik, Indonesia on 6th February 2011. He said that both the national media in Indonesia and the wider international media had given fair and extended coverage to this atrocity. He said:
“Media outlets like the Jakarta Post, Jakarta Globe and many international organisations have strongly condemned this attack and tried to influence the Indonesian government accordingly. The media and intellectual classes in Indonesia have had the courage to make a stand against the cruelty and because of this there remains hope that their society will progress. If only such courage would develop amongst the media and educated classes of Pakistan.”
His Holiness said that these attacks had belied any form of decency and were conducted in such a barbaric way that initially the dead bodies of the Ahmadis could not be identified. He quoted a report by the Asian Human Rights Commission which stated that many religious scholars in Indonesia and their followers failed to see anything wrong with the attacks. His Holiness said:
“Today’s Ulema (religious scholars) are turning the clock back thousands of years by committing acts of utter barbarity and depravity all in the name of Islam and are instructing their followers to do the same. These people have even hardened the hearts of their children so much that when the murders and violence were taking place, children stood by applauding.”
His Holiness said that what pained him and all true Muslims most of all was that such brutality and violence was being committed in the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad who had taught of love, compassion and mercy throughout his life.
His Holiness continued that the Ahmadi Muslims who had sacrificed their lives were true martyrs and were the shining stars of Ahmadiyyat. His Holiness said that the opponents of the Jamaat, wherever in the world they were, could try their utmost but they would never succeed in weakening the faith of an Ahmadi Muslim.
Ahmadi Muslims were united and would always remain so not just in their faith but also in their loyalty to the countries. His Holiness said:
“Every Ahmadi Muslim, no matter where he lives, is loyal to his country. Indeed we pledge that we will never partake in any action through which our loyalty to our country could be questioned. As part of this loyalty we pray that may God release our nations from the clutches of the oppressive people.”
Particulars of the Cikeusik martyrs
Tubaqus Chandra Mubarak (34) was a born Ahmadi Muslim who is survived by his pregnant wife. He was a very sincere Ahmadi Muslim. At the time of the attack he was inside the Ahmadiyya Mission House towards the front. The assailants attacked him with knives and then suspended him from a height and continued to beat him. He was later taken down and his dead body was further beaten and mutilated.
Ahmad Warsono (38) joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in 2002. He is survived by his wife and four children. At the time of the attack he was inside the Ahmadiyya Mission House. The assailants attacked him with knives, machetes and sticks. His body was then brought outside where he was continually beaten mercilessly whilst the police looked on.
Roni Pesarani (35) joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in 2008. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. At the time of the attack he was inside the Ahmadiyya Mission House. The assailants attacked him with knives, machetes and sticks. His body was then brought outside where he was continually beaten mercilessly whilst the police looked on.