Red Wednesday: Message from Siobhain McDonagh MP, Chair of the APPG for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

“On 25 November we mark Red Wednesday to support the work led by Aid to the Church in Need to highlight the immense suffering of Christians and other religious communities around the world. Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right and it must be upheld for the peace and prosperity of a country.

In many countries, such as Pakistan, minority religious communities such as Christians and the Ahmadi Muslims face intense persecution, and in the case of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan what is shocking is that this is rooted in federal laws that explicitly punish Ahmadi Muslims for practising their Islamic faith. As noted in our ground-breaking July 2020 report, extremism knows no end and the targeting of one community – by a state or individuals – inevitably results in the suffering of many.

So on #RedWednesday we stand shoulder to shoulder with Christians and all those being persecuted on grounds of faith. By shining a light on such horrors we hope for a brighter, more peaceful future for all, no matter what their faith.”

Siobhain McDonagh MP

Chair of the APPG for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.