Persecution of Ahmadis Persecution of Ahmadis The Ahmadiyya sect of Islam has been subject to various forms of religious persecution and discrimination since the movement's inception in 1889. The Ahmadiyya Muslim movement emerged from the Sunni tradition of Islam and its adherents believe in all the five pillars and articles of faith required of Muslims. Ahmadis are considered non-Muslims by many mainstream Muslims since they consider Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the movement, to be the promised Mahdi and Messiah awaited by the Muslims. The Ahmadis are active translators of the Qur'an and proselytizers for the faith. However, in a number of
Divisions of the world in Islam the government promises them a privileged status. Most "Dar al-Islam" areas are surrounded by other Islamic societies to ensure public protection. Some modern Muslim scholars believe that the labeling of a country or place as being a part of "Dar al-Islam" revolves around the question of religious security. This means that if a Muslim practices Islam freely in his place of abode, even though that place happens to be secular or un-Islamic, then he will be considered as living in the "Dar al-Islam". Yet, the majority opinion, which relies on tradition, claims that only countries ruled by Sharia can be