Extremism Watch

Jinnah Institute's weekly roundup of incidents of religious extremism in Pakistan as reported by the local media

July 11 - 17, 2011

July 11: Targeting of Shias continues in Balochistan
In what appears to be a sectarian killing, three people were shot dead by masked gunmen riding motorcycles on Qambrani Road. According to a senior police officer, the victims, two of whom were Shias were on their way home when they were attacked. The attackers were able to escape from the scene of the crime without being apprehended by security forces. (Daily Times)

July 13: Three schools bombed in Bara
Unidentified assailants destroyed three government primary schools in Bara, Khyber Agency on Tuesday. Yara Jan village Government Primary School, Ghulam Sher Government Primary School and Zar Mar Jan village Government Primary School were blown up with explosives on Tuesday night. The boys schools were destroyed in the Aka Khel area in Bara, where an offensive has been launched by security forces against militants for the last two years. (Daily Times)

July 16: Sunnis targeted in Kurram Agency
Ten people, including women and children, were killed, while three children were wounded, when gunmen opened fire on a vehicle carrying passengers near Boshehra village in Upper Kurram agency. Tribal sources claimed that all the victims of the attack belonged to the Sunni sect of Islam. This event marks a shift in the pattern of attacks in Kurram Agency where the majority of attacks on travellers have targeted members of the Shia sect. (The News)

July 17: Muslim girl in danger after marrying Christian in Peshawar
A Muslim woman in Peshawar received death threats after a court marriage with a Christian man, Bashir Masih. The woman, Majeeda is a teacher in a local school and Bashir Masih was her colleague. Majeeda is being threatened with death for marrying outside the Muslim faith. According to police officials, the couple has complained of threats and have fled from the area fearing persecution. According to Majeeda, they have been on the run for several months after one of her relatives discovered where she lives with Bashir. She has also threatened to commit suicide along with her husband if they are not given justice. She has appealed to the Chief Minister and Chief Justice for assistance in this regard. (Express Tribune)

July 17: Sikh Community in Lahore prevented from performing religious celebrations
The Sikh community in Lahore was prevented from observing a religious celebration in their Gurdwara after a religious group, the Dawaat-e-Islami persuaded local authorities that the celebration of the Muslim holy day of Shab-e-Barat. Police was deployed outside the gurdwara to prevent members of the Sikh community from entering it. These measures were taken in response to demands from followers of the Dawat-e-Islami that the Sikh celebrations could not be performed before the holy day of Shab-e-Barat, which was observed much later on the night between July 17 and 18.

While the temple was taken over by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) after Partition, the Sikh community had been allowed to use it. Four years ago, the Dawat-e-Islami, a Barelvi proselytising group, claimed that the gurdwara was located on the burial site of a Muslim saint. In order to resolve the dispute the ETPB, allowed both communities to use the site for religious purposes. Members of Dawat-e-Islami used it every Thursday for prayers and the Sikh community used it once a year to mark the anniversary of Taru Singh’s martyrdom. This year, however, when members of the Sikh community went in to set up their musical instruments on July 13, they were thrown out by the men from Dawat-e-Islami and prevented from re-entering. (Express Tribune)