Daijiworld Media Network - Colombo
Colombo, Apr 26: Hundreds of Ahmadi Muslim refugees in Sri Lanka, who had left their homes in Pakistan because of militant attacks and government persecution, thought they finally found peace, until the horrible blast on Easter that killed more than 300 people.
The first sign of communal backlash erupted when the locals in Negombo, confronted many Pakistani refugees in the region. At least 800 refugees, including men and women were asked to move out from their temporary shelters in suspicion of their terrorist links.
Tariq Ahmed, a 58-year-old Ahmadi who fled his home said in grief, “The people in Pakistan attacked us and say we are not Muslims, and then in Sri Lanka, people attack us because they say we are Muslims.”
The Ahmadi Muslims said that the harassment has increased after the attack, fueled by a mistaken sense that since they came from Pakistan, they too are extremists.
The expatriates belonging to the Ahmadiya sect fled Pakistan five years ago due to discrimination from the Sunni majority in their country. They are not considered Muslims back home. Sri Lanka provides transit for refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan until they are rehabilitated in Australia or New Zealand, or whichever country that provides them refuge. As of now these people are left at the mercy of God.