"Who is it?" Paul called out.

"Rashid Akbar and Wali Maachi. We have an appointment with Mr. Javed and Rev. Gill."

Paul quickly opened the door. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Please come in."

"No need to apologize," the older man said. He stepped forward and was followed by the shorter, younger man. "I am Rashid Akbar," the older man said, "and this is my colleague, Wali Maachi."

Paul extended his hand to each man offering the greeting, "As-salàamu Alàykum." They answered, "Wa-làykum As-salàam," even though Paul knew that, as Ahmadis, they could be subject to criminal charges for using the Muslim form of greeting. Paul introduced them to the men Ezra had left with him, inviting each of Ezra's friends to give his own name, because Paul didn't know them personally.

"Please sit down on the two chairs in the room," Paul said. "I'm happy sitting on the bed. And excuse me for a moment, while I call down to order some tea." The men took their seats while Paul rang room service and ordered tea for all of them. Then Paul sat on the bed closest to the two Ahmadis. Ezra's men returned to their seats on the other bed.

"It was very considerate of you to arrange a visit today after our seminar," Paul began. "I have been looking forward to meeting representatives of your community."

"And we are delighted to meet you," Akbar replied. "We've heard a lot about you."

"Do you live in Islamabad?" Paul asked, making conversation until the tea came.

"Yes, we do," Akbar answered.. "But my ancestors came from Lahore, and I still have relatives there."

"All my relatives are in or near Islamabad," Maachi said, "or overseas."

"I know that there are many Ahmadis in Britain," Paul responded, looking more closely at Maachi now. He was a short, intelligent looking man with closely cropped hair and a very slight mustache above his broad mouth. Akbar was taller with rather long, silver hair that was thinning on top. His face was clean-shaven and his eyes sparkled with humor. Both men were well dressed and carried themselves as though they were used to high society. How interesting, Paul thought, that these sophisticated men are officially outcastes in their own culture.

A knock on the door was followed by a voice saying, "Room service." Paul got up, opened the door, and motioned to the table in front of Akbar and Maachi. The waiter left the tray of tea on the table, pocketed the tip Paul gave him, and then left the room.

Paul poured tea for all the men. Ezra's friends got off the bed and clustered around the table, pouring milk and spooning sugar into their cups. Akbar and Maachi both put only a little milk in their tea. Akbar added just half a spoonful of sugar, but Maachi scooped three heaping teaspoons of sugar into his brimming cup.

Once they had their tea and had stirred in their sugar and taken a sip or two, the conversation could begin. "What sort of report did your participants in the seminar bring to you?" Paul asked, to start things off.

"We haven't had time to talk in detail with them," Akbar answered. "They had a tape recorder with them, so we will be able to listen to the entire discussion. Their impression, however, was generally positive."

"I hope we get good coverage in the newspapers," Paul answered. He didn't say anything about Khalida Ali's questioning of Blake or his call to Khan's secretary. No reason to raise questions in their mind, if they weren't aware of the potential problem.

"We have excellent relations with some of the newspaper editors," Maachi replied. "We'll make a few calls to encourage good coverage."

"That's great! But I'm surprised that you might be able to help us with the Muslim controlled press, given the general attitude among Muslims leaders toward Ahmadis."

Akbar laughed easily, and Maachi smiled before responding. "We have many good friendships with Muslims. These friendships have to be kept secret, of course, but don't underestimate our influence. For a small community, we have considerable power."

Interesting, Paul thought, sipping of his tea. He didn't want to ask for money directly, but he couldn't ignore the need to raise funds for the petition in the Supreme Court. He had to find a subtle way to shift the conversation.

"I'm sure you are aware," Paul began, "that we didn't mention the petition against the blasphemy law in the seminar. We didn't want to put the Muslim participants in the position of being asked by a reporter to take a position for or against it. The purpose of the public seminars is to demonstrate support among Muslim political leaders for the rule of law in Pakistan, for constitutional principles of equal protection and equity, and for a view of Islam that is more moderate and concerned with the rights of all Pakistani citizens."

"That's an excellent strategy, Rev. Gill," said Akbar. "We'll do all we can behind the scenes to enable these seminars to continue."

"But at the same time," Paul went on, "we are also filing a petition against the blasphemy law in an attempt to have this law found unconstitutional or, at least, inapplicable towards Christians. It's one thing for Muslims to enforce a prohibition of blasphemy against themselves but quite another to enforce it against non-Muslims." Paul realized that he had first said "Christians" rather than "non-Muslims," so he added the second sentence in order to identify with the Ahmadis. After all, more cases of blasphemy had been filed against Ahmadis than against Christians. In many ways they were the prime target of the blasphemy law.

"Rev. Gill," Maachi said. "You are well aware that our community is victimized by this law, because Muslims in Pakistan consider our religious tradition an act of blasphemy. Our claim that our founder received a revelation from Allah is rejected by most Pakistani Muslims, even though the Shar'ia does not prohibit such a claim. They believe it undermines the notion that Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, received the final revelation from Allah. That makes us guilty of blasphemy under the law, just by being Ahmadis. Christians are at least allowed to worship and teach their children and create schools and hospitals for their communities. As Ahmadis, who claim to be Muslim believers, we are prohibited from carrying on any public activity. And we face prosecution under Sections 295 and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, if we transgress against this strict prohibition."

While Maachi was speaking Akbar had poured himself another cup of tea and was sitting back in his chair, slowly sipping it and listening to his colleague. Paul was surprised that Akbar allowed the younger man to take the lead in the conversation.

"Our community, therefore, is very concerned about the blasphemy law and what might be the result of your petition. I am afraid, however, that we cannot support in any way your legal challenge against the blasphemy law."

Paul was stunned. He thought Maachi's explanation was leading up to an offer of assistance. "But why not? You stand to gain as much as we do?"

Akbar now put his cup back on the table and looked at Paul with a tired but knowing smile. "We stand to lose even more than you do. That's the problem. You are a larger community and, in theory at least, you have protection under the law. You can be represented publicly in a seminar. You have international contacts. Christians are the largest religious community in the world, and if fanatical mullahs come down on you there will be rallies and protests in many places on your behalf. Governments in largely Christian countries will appeal to the United Nations and to the Pakistani government for your protection."

Shifting his weight forward in his chair, Akbar continued. "But if fanatical mullahs turn the mobs on us, who will come to our aid? Will the Christians in Pakistan stand in solidarity with us? No. To them we are Muslims. A few intellectuals, who genuinely support religious freedom, will speak up for us, but Christian leaders will not be able to persuade their followers to march and risk arrest on our behalf."

Akbar's eyes were narrow and hard. "And will Western governments speak up for our rights? They perceive the persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan to be a quarrel between two groups of Muslims. They would probably be happy if the population of Muslims were reduced by the slaughter of a Muslim minority by the Muslim majority. Why should they get involved? Their basic interests are not affected."

"But if the petition is successful," Paul interjected, "your community will benefit."

"Perhaps. But no one can predict now what will come from your petition. Even if you win in the Supreme Court, you may provoke a backlash. That's why we've come to ask you to withdraw the petition. It's too risky to go forward. Consider the possible consequences for your own community in addition to the danger for us. Continue with the seminars, but forget about the petition. We think that would be the best and safest strategy."

Paul was speechless. He had fully expected the Ahmadis to support the petition. He'd never dreamed that they might oppose it. "Have you spoken to Javed or Hassan about this?" he asked.

"No," Maachi replied. "You're the first to hear our proposal. We thought Javed would be here with you."

"Something came up, and he couldn't make it." While they all sat in silence for a moment, Paul scrutinized both men carefully. Were they responsible for the grenade that was thrown into his home? Was that an attempt to scare him off? Were they behind the shooting of Javed? After all, they knew about the meeting. They knew Javed was supposed to be in the hotel. Perhaps the shot wasn't meant to kill Javed, but was only another move in this elaborate game they were all playing. He couldn't see in their eyes any indication that they knew about Javed being wounded. You're becoming paranoid, he reflected. Get a grip on yourself.

"Rev. Gill," Akbar was speaking now, "I'm sorry that our position disappoints you. We are delighted with the public seminar that was held today, and we will do our best to ensure that this and other such seminars in Pakistan receive good coverage in the press. But we must remain distant from and even oppose your petition to the Supreme Court. Try to understand why we have come to this conclusion. Don't dismiss our concerns. Please consider that this petition might put our communities in grave danger, even if it succeeds."

Paul stood now. He had to talk with Javed and Samuel. Were they wrong to be going forward? And what about Hassan? He was risking his legal career by representing Paul in the Supreme Court. Was Bishop Rawlings right? Were they in over their heads?

"Obviously," Paul heard himself say, "my colleagues and I will give serious consideration to your request." Polite formalities came as easily to a priest as to a politician. "Thank you again for meeting with me this afternoon. I'm sorry that Javed was unable to make it. Please accept his apologies. I'm sure you'll hear from him personally very soon."

Akbar and Maachi were also standing now. Each offered a hand to Paul, who shook hands with one after the other, before turning to open the door. "Pray about what we've said, Rev. Gill," Akbar added. "You must consider us and not only yourself and the Christian community. We, too, are children of God."

Paul nodded, his heart heavy, as the two Ahmadis left the room.