Pakistani Hindus Facing Forced Conversions (The News Ed, 19 Sep 2009)

[Halaku Khan]

Forced conversions
Saturday, September 19, 2009

The parents of a young Hindu nurse, who disappeared over a month ago after leaving her Karachi home for the welfare hospital where she worked, continue their search for the daughter. So far their efforts have proved futile. They are not alone. The Sindh Assembly was told in its last session that during the last four months of the current year, 30 to 35 members of minority communities – most of them Hindu – had been kidnapped; eighteen girls had converted to Islam and one was killed. The fate of the others is presumably unknown.

The pattern is one that has accelerated sharply in recent years. Christians in Punjab have made similar complaints centred around the issue of young girls, some mere teenagers, who have been forced to convert and marry Muslim men. The details compiled by rights groups indicate that the life of such women is often grim. Some have tried to escape, others have been murdered. This is one part of the growing violence against minorities that we are seeing. The matter needs to be paid urgent attention to. No society so deeply fractured by sectarian divide can blossom. Pakistan must prove it is a state capable of offering a safe place to live for all its citizens. This, after all, is the vision that was laid out by the founder of the nation. It is our duty, as citizens, to ensure that it is turned into reality.

 

[Halaku Khan]

^^^ Thanks to The News for raising this issue. Give credit where it is due. There are several good people in the Pakistani Press.

 

[sadiqams]

What about those want to convert of their free will. The families of these do not like it as I have witnessed a case in the UK where the family of a Pakistani Christian were furious at her conversion when she married a muslim of her free will.

 

[Khajur]

What about those want to convert of their free will. The families of these do not like it as I have witnessed a case in the UK where the family of a Pakistani Christian were furious at her conversion when she married a muslim of her free will.

U can assume those who convert to islam out of free will usually dont go missing or meet such gruesome ends.

during the last four months of the current year, 30 to 35 members of minority communities – most of them Hindu – had been kidnapped; eighteen girls had converted to Islam and one was killed. The fate of the others is presumably unknown.

 

[arihant]

Nothing new, Even provided many sources to my pak friends who still deny that.

 

[Awesome]

It is pretty much impossible to convert somebody forcibly.

1) Islamically it does not count
2) They are only pretending to be Muslim
3) They wont keep up the charade once the threat is removed

Pretty stupid of them

 

[Reddy]

There have been many instances where Non muslims were forced to convert to Islam.

 

[Omar1984]

You cant force anyone to embrace Islam. The only way a person can become a Muslim is if he/she wholeheartedly believes that there is only one God and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the messenger of God.

Dont be surprised when a non-muslim CHOSES to become Muslim out of his/her own free will.

 

[matti]

If you dont believe from heart in oneness of Allah and Muhammad PBUH being messenger of Allah, you are not a Muslim, and there is no way for a person to tell what the other person really believes in therefore you can not force anyone to convert.

 

[Peshwa]

Lets not get technical about "Who is a real muslim"....all religions are open to interpretation.....as is obvious in today's world.....

Yet, reasons that many convert are varied.....
Some do it to save their lives....eg. The woman in Bali who was caught for drug trafficking changed her religion to get a lesser sentence....

Others do it to seek awakening....Malcolm X, apparently Muhammad Ali.....

Why one does it, and how they follow Islam is not something anyone can judge.....
Most Pakistani's here believe Turkey to be an Islamic country, when it is miles away from the same......

 

[fhassan]

Most Pakistani's here believe Turkey to be an Islamic country, when it is miles away from the same......

Incorrect.

Most of us know that Turkey is a Muslim majority country, ruled by a party that although secular, has certain islamic underpinnings.

anyway,

Islam cannot be forced unto an individual. It is a belief - some harramies may force an individuals tongue to declare the Shahadah; that doesn't make them Muslims.

 

[xebex]

It is pretty much impossible to convert somebody forcibly.

1) Islamically it does not count
2) They are only pretending to be Muslim
3) They wont keep up the charade once the threat is removed

Pretty stupid of them

You are right BUT you are wrong. It only force somebody to pretend like a Muslim and may not be a true Muslim by heart, u got that right and I absolutely agree with u. But thatz not the end of it, is it?. The real deal happens from the next generation onwards. Next generation, that is their kids and grand kids, will take their parent's religion for granted and moves on without knowing how exactly they became what they are. Having said that, i dont have anyproblem with those who convert to Islam but forcefull conversion shouldnt be tolerated.

 

[SMC]

These mullahs and extremists need to be brought in one isolated place and then that place nuked. They are the scum of the earth and have caused great pains to Pakistan and Islam.

 

[Reddy]

I was wondering what the reaction of pakistani members would have been had the situation been reversed say

Muslims being forced to become hindus or christians in India

 

[EjazR]

Well the main thing is that Pakistani legislators should strenthen their minority protection laws. They already have a department for minority affairs, these case should be taken up. This is against the principles of freedom of religion and against the true tenets of Islam. It should be condemened unreservedly and if "thenews" is reporting it, it should be taken up seriously and prevented.