Huddersfield Muslims mourn loved ones killed in Pakistan attacks

Jun 1 2010 by Nick Lavigueur, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

MUSLIMS in Huddersfield are mourning the loss of relatives following the deadly mosque attacks in Pakistan.

Extremists opened fire on two mosques in Lahore during prayers last Friday, killing more than 90 Ahmadi Muslims.

Ahmadi Muslims have been targets for violence ever since their beliefs were branded non-Muslim by the Pakistan government in 1974.

Fatih Ul-Haq, spokesman for the Huddersfield Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, said two of his Pakistani cousins and his uncle had been killed and his father-in-law injured.

He said: “The community is still in shock but refuses to be provoked.

“There are posters in Lahore saying kill the Ahmadis. Why didn’t the Pakistani government take any action?

“It’s not only Ahmadis, Christians have been killed in Pakistan too.

“They say Pakistan is a democracy but this country (the UK) is giving us more rights and more protection. That’s the sort of society they should create.

“We feel sorry for these people that God allowed them to be like that. How can Islam allow somebody to take somebody’s life – it’s not the teachings of Islam?”

Mr Ul Haq said another Huddersfield member had lost his father and more casualties could still be announced.