Note: This story is published as originally submitted and has not been edited, in order to preserve the author’s intent, voice, and authenticity.
Aslamoalakam.
I am a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. In Pakistan, Ahmadiyya Muslims cannot practice their religion independently because the law is used against our community. My cousin, who is not Ahmadiyya, even threatened to attack my family. Because of this persecution, we fled our country in 2013 and sought asylum in Uganda.
Our 11 years in Uganda were very difficult. We faced many challenges, including a lack of jobs, police harassment, and tension with the local community. There seemed to be no path toward resettlement in another country. However, our community eventually stepped in to help us by providing sponsorship to Canada.
We arrived in Canada in July 2024. Upon our arrival, the community welcomed us warmly and provided us with essential household items; they continue to support us to this day. Although I did not have a job for the first six months, I am now working, thanks to the help of Community Employment Services in Woodstock, Ontario. My children are now attending school, and we can finally practice our religion independently. We are very happy and deeply thankful to God, our community, and the Government of Canada for all the help we have received.”
Sultan, from Woodstock, ON
Note from Editors:
Persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a systematic and widespread phenomenon. It is most prominently institutionalised in Pakistan, but also occurs in several other Muslim-majority nations, including Algeria, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. This persecution stems from theological disputes over the finality of prophethood, which have led many mainstream religious groups to declare Ahmadi Muslims as heretics or non-Muslims.
