A fews weeks ago Khatam-e-Nabuwat found a puzzling champion in quite possibly the least relevant member of the Sharif family: Captain (Rtd) Safdar. A man embroiled in one of the largest corruption scandals in the country’s history somehow became the moral conscience of the glory of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Safdar launched a passionate tirade against one of the most nefariously nauzubillah forces of fitnah out there today giving Islam and Pakistan a bad name.
If you haven’t guessed already, I’m an Ahmadi. Member of the Ahmadiyya religious minority in Pakistan. Although Ahmadis self-identify as Muslims, they were officially declared Non-Muslim by Bhutto’s government in 1973. While in 1984, Zia’s government forbade them to act like Muslims too, under consequence of strict punishment. This includes calling our places of worship a mosque, calling our offering of prayers “namaz”, reading the Quran etc. Even saying Assalam-u-Alaikum, a greeting invoking God’s will and mercy , can land us a three-year jail sentence. 
Ahmadis believe that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a religious reformer in India in the late 19th century, was a prophet whose coming was foretold in the Holy Quran. Mainstream Muslims consider this a breach of the Khatam-e-Nabuwat doctrine, which declares that Muhammad (PBUH) was the last Prophet of Allah. This has resulted in outrage which has steadily manifested itself in the country in the form of murders, arson attacks, lynch mobs, terrorist massacres and a fair share of anti-Ahmadi propaganda. 
Before social media clickbait inevitably churns out Top 5 things that Muslims believe, wallahi Ahmadis literally WON’T BELIEVE what number 5 is. (Hint: it’s Khatam-e-Nabuwat), I will try my hand at dispelling certain misconceptions surrounding my faith. My aim in doing so is not the propagation of my faith, nor is it to prove why my faith is better than any others. Rather, it’s just so that even if you find yourself opposed to the Ahmadi community, you can at least filter away fact from fiction.
1. Qadianis And Mirzais Are Interchangeable with Ahmadis:
Though these terms seem innocuous enough, both of them have historically been used by hate groups and religious zealots as slurs against the Ahmadiyya community. It is the equivalent of calling Pakistanis “Pakis”, or Christians “Chooras”. Again, you can hate us all you want, but at least give us the dignity of addressing us by our proper names. This is also important for our supporters, who often make the same mistake albeit without ill intentions
2. The Ahmadi azaan/kalma amaz etc. is different
This misconception holds the same merit as rumors around haunted houses in Defence/Gulberg/Androon Shehr do. Nobody has ever been to said haunted houses, but they’re sure they exist because they heard about it growing up. To that end, I feel the need to pose a question. Bhai aap mei sei kissi nei kabhi yei Ahmadi Azaan, Kalma, ya Namaaz sunni ya dekhi bhi hai? How many of you guys even known an Ahmadi jou yeh alternate versions practice karta hai? Our Azaan is the same. Our Namaaz is the same. And as for the Kalmah…… 
This photo shows a Zia-era policeman blacking up the sign of an Ahmadi mosque with literally the same kalma written on it . Side Note: If these links don’t work because the Pakistani government has a habit of blocking access to Ahmadi websites, then put that hotspot shield to good use for once.
3. Ahmadis Are Worse Than Normal Disbelievers Because They Are Impostors/Apostates And Are Hence Wajib ul Qatal
Ahmadis aren’t normal kaafirs. They masquerade as normal Muslims whilst plotting against the Ummah, akin to aasteen kei samp or chuppay rustam. Sort of like when you appoint someone as the chief of you army thinking they’ve got your back, only to later have them overthrow your government, impose martial law, and hang you after a rigged trial. But enough about hypotheticals.
In this case, Ahmadis are often compared to the hypocrites of Madinah who plotted against the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), or the apostates during the time of the Caliphs. Which would be fine except for the fact that we never claimed to be normal Muslims. Unlike the hypocrites or apostates, Ahmadis have never denied that they’ve followed an interpretation of Islam that is different from the mainstream. Not much of a hidden agenda when your nefarious schemes are literally posted openly on your website. As for the apostate argument, it conveniently ignores the fact that the apostates during the time of the companions were instigating political and military turmoil, which Ahmadis have mysteriously yet to do. Guess us Pakistani Ahmadis must have forgotten to do that whilst providing decades of government service, laying down our lives for the army in its wars, or winning the country Nobel Awards.
4. Ahmadis Don’t Believe In The Finality Of The Prophet
Here’s the grand-daddy of them all. The one undeniable aspect of Ahmadiyya which you were absolutely certain of. Just like you were certain those smudges on the moon spelled Ya Hussain. Or that picture of the roti your parents whatsapped you with Allah written on it. Definitely not photoshopped. Yeah no. Ahmadis, contrary to popular belief , fully accept the Prophet Muhammad as Khatym e Nabiyyn or ‘the Seal of the Prophets’. For reference, see the following ascribed to Mirza Ghulam Ahmed, 
The only difference lies in our interpretation of the word Seal. Ahmadis believe that the word Seal means a finality in the spiritual message, but not in terms of absolute prophethood. Ahmadis hold that the Holy Prophet SAW brought the final and perfected form of religion in the form of Islam. And that no future prophet would arise who would amend or present a different version of that religion. However, Ahmadis believe that this does not mean no future prophet will come. But rather no new prophet would come who would deviate from the message of the Holy Prophet SAW and point to the mention of the Imam Mehdi and the Second Coming of Jesus in the Quran as proof. We argue that the Imam Mehdi represents the metaphorical second coming of Hazrat Isa AS, and came in the form of Mirza Ghulam Ahmed, who we believe came to reassert the message of the Prophet Muhammad SAW for a new age. Now chances are, your initial reaction after reading this last part was: 
I don’t blame you. I know this must sound bizarre. Or even batshit crazy if you’ve been taught to believe something else your entire life. And therein lies the point that I would like to conclude with.
IT IS FINE to disagree with and debate differing religious views.
In the spirit of freedom of belief, you are under no obligation to personally believe that we’re Muslims. Just as we have no right to force you to ascribe to our faith if you don’t want to. However, instituting laws in the constitution that prohibits us from practicing our beliefs and criminalizes us for acts as basic as invoking Allah’s grace, breeds nothing but hatred and intolerance. I, along with others in my community, hold the greatest respect, admiration, and love for the Prophet SAW. We are Pakistanis just like you, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters of the same soil. And when you hurt us, remember that we are actual innocent human beings. The very people the Prophet SAW spent his life trying to protect. 
