The Afghan Martyrs — Page 142
Eyent of Martyrdom on 21st February 1925 It is always bitterly cold in Kabul in the month of February and one can see snow on the mountain peaks. People gather around their stoves. The days are short and the nights are long. On 21st February there was considerable hustle and bustle in the town. Again and again it was being announced that two Ahmadis were to be stoned to death. In large numbers people were invited to be at the site and they were asked to bring their own stones with them for the occasion. From early morning a large crowd consisting of bloodthirsty Mullas and ignorant fanatics, had congregated opposite the jail. Every man present had assumed the role of a bloodthirsty beast. After 'Zohar' both victims, still bound and shackled were brought out of the prison and in the midst of a crowd of thousands they were dragged through the streets of the town. Simultaneously, through public announcements all and sundry were being invited to the site to witness the event. The long procession reached the chosen site in the Teerpur Cantonment area at the time of 'Asar' prayers. The prevailing mood was ferocious. The two Ahmadi victims were taken to the site where two pits had already been dug into which they were to be lowered to the waist before being stoned to death. The two sought permission of the savage Mullas to offer their' Asar' prayer. After a great deal of bickering their request was granted and facing Qibla, in full view of a crowd of thousands, both offered their 'Asar' prayer in congregation. It never occurred to anyone to question how, facing Qibla, those who had been convicted as apostates, could possibly offer the four Rakaats. Was not the mere fact that they were offering their 142