Muhammad Ali Mirza

Muhammad Ali Mirza was born on 4 October 1977 in Jhelum,[1] a city in Punjab, Pakistan. He obtained his education as an engineer from University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila. He worked as a mechanical engineer for the Government of Punjab on the 19th pay scale but later quit due to rampant corruption in the department.[3][4][5][6]

Ali gives online lectures on religious issues and runs a research academy based on his understanding of the Quran and Sunnat.[7][3][8] His critics claim that he uses derogatory terms for Islamic Saints and they present clips from his lectures as evidence.[3][9]

Ali allegedly opined that present day Ahmadis are better than Jews and Christians (the people of the book). He also said they are not Muslims and said that his video clips have been presented out of context.[3] He was arrested on 4 May 2020 in suspicion of spreading hate speech towards religious scholars.[10][7] Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi and anchor Shafaat Ali posted on social media condemning his arrest.[7] He was later released on 6 May 2020.[11][12][13] According to Ali, one of his lectures was presented completely out of context. He later said that if one starts presenting other opinions in such a way then even the verses of the Qur'an can be presented out of context.[7][3]

In April 2023, a case of blasphemy was registered against Ali Mirza under section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code. The accusations against Mirza include mocking Muhammad and downplaying the Pakistani legal ruling that considers Ahmadis to have non-Muslim status. His critics claim that he uses derogatory language when referring to Islamic saints and presents clips from his lectures out of context to support his arguments. Pir Afzal Qadri, a religious cleric, has offered a reward of Rs. 500,000 the assassination Ali Mirza, stating that he deserves to be killed. The accusations of blasphemy are considered serious in Pakistan, and if convicted, Mirza could face severe punishment under the blasphemy laws.[22]

In August 2023, the attacker identified as Ali Hassan, who hailed from Gujrat, armed with a sharp weapon, shoved the guard, in a desperate attempt to barge into the Research Academy’s premises.The attacker was however out powered by the guards and other members of the academy.Later, the attacker revealed his nefarious plan to assassinate the controversial scholar.Meanwhile, a case has been registered and investigations are underway.

On 14 March 2021, Ali survived a second assassination attempt, first in 2017. The attacker visited his Quran academy in Jhelum, Pakistan at weekly meeting and attempted to kill him with a knife while taking a picture with him. Ali escaped with minor injuries. Police arrested two suspects and registered an FIR against them. The attacker had traveled from Lahore to Jhelum to kill Ali.[23][24][25]

• Israr Ahmed
• Muhammad Ishaq Madni
• Abul A'la Maududi
• Zubair Ali Zai
• Syed Jawad Naqvi
• Tariq Jamil