To Rehan Ibrahim and all concerned persons at  GEO TV:

I have just read Mr. Ibrahim’s letter, which I so foolishly expected to be an apology.  Unfortunately, my expectations and those of our community were not met.  I have come to understand that GEO does not “see a causal link” between the broadcast of the September 7, 2008 episode of Aalim Online and the subsequent deaths of two very pious and prominent members of our community.  Let me offer my own interpretation. 
The broadcast of the September 7 episode of Aalim Online happened to be airing on the anniversary  that the government of Pakistan declared Ahmadis non-Muslim.  I don’t believe this to be a coincidence – the show was obviously targeting our community. Secondly, during the program Mr. Liaqat referred to Ahmadis (derogatory term “Qadianis”) and said that people who do not believe in the Prophet Muhammad (saws) as Khatimun Nabuwat are “wajib-ul-qatl.”  Does this term not mean liable to death?  And whom, if not the Ahmadis, is Mr. Liaqat referring to when he says those that do not believe in Khatimun Nabuwat? (Which by the way, is NOT at all true…we strongly believe in Khatimun Nabuwat) Did he not say that it is the duty of every Muslim to uphold this decree of “wajib-ul-qatl?”  And does GEO believe that following the airing of this program, which was full of hateful words toward our community and its founder, the subsequent murder of two of our members was simply a coincidence?  A coincidence, I think NOT.  And lastly, if this program was not targeted to directly attack the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community then why, I ask, were there absolutely NO Ahmadis scholars invited to defend themselves?  Is this unbiased broadcasting? Is this the way you “inform” and “educate” the public?
It is a sad day when the professionalism and the responsibility of a prominent television channel such as GEO is breeched by the likes of an uneducated and hate-filled man, Amir Ali Liaqat, and when he is allowed to spread hate-filled and prejudiced propaganda regarding our community.  But it is indeed a sadder day, that when given the chance, that same organization scoffs at the prospect of apologizing. 
Mr. Ibrahim, you have only proved our point further by this blatant show of arrogance – it is obvious in your writing, that you as well do not have full knowledge of the community or the events that transpired and remain in ignorance.  Who gives you the right to demand anything from the Asian Human Rights Commission?  You should be heeding their appeals and instead you have the audacity to demand they re-evaluate their position.  How arrogant can you be?  The mere fact that the Asian Human Rights Commission has taken the side of the Ahmadis should be evidence enough  to prove just how much in err you stand.  They are based in China and have absolutely no connection to our community whatsoever.  Any third party looking into this situation will tell you who is right and who is at fault here.  I am shocked by your provocative display of haughtiness.
Lastly, I would like to add that we are a large community, growing stronger day-by-day.  We are deeply hurt by the events that transpired and the fact that GEO will insist on keeping this fraudulent individual Amir Ali Liaqat on board.  He is an extension of you and his views, being stated on international television, are interpreted to be those of GEO TV.  It has become obvious that your motto of “Geo aur Jeenay Do” is a farce and a sham.  People like Amir Ali Liaqat, the producers of his show, and the murderers are all in the same boat and they should be brought to task.  Pakistan is a country that made a grave mistake 35 years ago when they declared Ahmadis non-mulsims.  Who gave a political power such a right?  They have NO right and they have allowed the subsequent torture, abuse, and deaths of many of our members.  This was your chance to bridge that great divide my friend, Mr. Ibrahim and you and your arrogance failed bitterly.  But your apology or lack thereof, has no effect on me.   That will be between you and Allah Almighty.  He knows what is right and all that is wrong.  I can only pray that Allah have mercy on your soul and those that are guilty of this bigotry.  I can only pray that Allah changes your hearts and allows you to see all that is right and all that is good in this world.  Because there is nothing sadder than to live your whole life, and realize at the end, you were in the darkness of ignorance all along.


Sofia Khalil