Pakistan’s envoy to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi came under fire back home for congratulating Mahershala Ali, who became the first Muslim to won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
Ms. Lodhi faced backlash for promoting Mr. Ali, an Ahmadi, who are considered non-Muslims in Pakistan.
She later deleted her tweet as a response to all the criticism. Ahmadis are considered as non-Muslims by law in Pakistan. The group has been deprived of religious rights under the Second Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan.
Article 260(3) of Pakistan’s Constitution declares Ahmadis “non-Muslims.” Mr. Ali played the role of a drug dealer Juan in the Oscar-winning Moonlight .
