Publisher Draws Criticism from Muslims

June 21, 2008

Author: Purva Patel

Source: The Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/5849356.html

Pakistan Times publisher Sheikh Najam Ali has been looking over his shoulder [everyday] for a month since running an ad that proved controversial in the local Muslim community.

The ad, announcing a local Ahmadiyya celebration and describing the faith as Muslim, prompted death threats from anonymous callers, cancellations from advertisers and the removal of his papers in bulk from various distribution sites, he said.

The ad and subsequent coverage of the event has drawn criticism from some Muslims who say Ali has insulted them by giving authenticity to a sect that they consider non-Muslim.

"I had no idea there would be this kind of reaction" said Ali, whose free Urdu weekly has a circulation of 15,000 in the Houston area.