Blessed to be part of a pluralistic America
In its annual report on global religious freedom, the U.S. State Department has taken an aim at discriminatory laws against religious minorities.
The White House has particularly shown concerns over blasphemy and apostasy laws in some Muslim countries. My deepest gratitude goes out to the Obama administration for tackling a matter close to my heart.
Adding a bit more perspective, I belong to a persecuted sect of Islam, the Ahmadiyya sect. Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan do not recognize the adherents of this community as Muslims. We are labeled as heretics and have been officially declared as non-Muslims by many. To make matters worse, Ahmadi Muslims can be imprisoned for confessing and/or practicing their faith in some of these countries. Hence, we are blessed and fortunate to be a part of the pluralistic fabric of America that guarantees liberty and justice for all.
As for extremists, the Quran commands that places of worship, such as churches, synagogues and mosques, must be protected.
In this day and age, it is hard to believe that Muslim governments can make laws that run counter to the teachings of Islam.
Nayyar Ahmed
Pittsburgh
Ahmed is a member of the Muslim Writers Guild of America.