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Live conversion on Maya Khan’s show stirs anger
20-year-old Sunil officially changed his religion to Islam under a cleric's guidance on ARY show.
20-year-old Sunil officially changed his religion to Islam under a cleric's guidance on ARY show.
KARACHI: A Hindu’s conversion to Islam live on television during a prime-time Ramazan chat show has sparked criticism on behalf of religious minorities.
In just five minutes, the 20-year-old introduced as Sunil officially changed his religion under a cleric’s guidance.
A packed studio audience congratulated him and shouted out suggestions for his new Muslim name before he was renamed Mohammad Abdullah – the consensus choice.
Abdullah insisted on Friday that he had been a willing convert.
“I have accepted Islam by my own will and my family has no objection,” he told AFP by telephone from the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust, where a staff member said he has worked as their office boy for the last six years.
But the country has been criticised by rights groups for showing an increased lack of tolerance towards religious minorities, who complain of discrimination, and critics blasted the show, broadcast by ARY on Wednesday.
“The joy with which the conversion was greeted and the congratulations that followed sent a clear signal that other religions don’t enjoy the same status in Pakistan as Islam does,” wrote Dawn, on Friday.
“In a country where minorities are already treated as second-class citizens in many ways, this served to marginalise them even further,” it said.
It was a second recent controversy for chat show host Maya Khan, who was this year sacked by Sama TV after chasing couples in a public park, accusing them of behaving immorally.
Ramesh Kumar, a leader of the Pakistan Hindu Council, told AFP that Wednesday’s programme would encourage intolerance.
“We are already intimidated against. The government gives little heed to the kidnapping of Hindus and forced faith conversion of our girls. Please don’t do things that make us more alienated,” he told AFP.
Talat Hussain, who hosts a political show on DawnNews, also warned against turning religion into mass entertainment.
“Think about how Muslims would feel when Buddhists in Burma show similarly a Muslim being converted in a live TV show,” he told AFP.
According to Pakistan government figures, Hindus make up 2.5% of the country’s population of around 180 million.
Footage of the conversion begins at the 8:30 mark in the attached video.
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Reader Comments (211)
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Mis-use of media platform….ARY crew needs to learn it.
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Just when we thought we could fall no further… !
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@Farhan:
Because nobody watches or cares about what happens on Peace TV. ARY on the other hand has massive number of viewers.
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All religions are basically for betterment of society .Offering rewards for good obedience is old traditions. Religion is also a tool for controlling people. But in these days every one is so carried away with religion which caused the birth of extremism and have no tolerance within their own religion .. which is a very bad thing. every one is answerable to his God for his sins.There are people who has no religion, but they are good human.They also live their lives happily To look down on other religions is not teaching of Islam. Pakistani media should have some guide lines and respect not to take part for this type of drama.
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@ALi:
AT least the sane only cry, not go out on the streets and kill those who they think have strayed. Its not about being liberal, respecting minorities does not make you liberal (well, it does but NOT in the sense that you extremists mean). Does Islam not teach us to respect the minorities?? Or it teaches us to disrespect minorities? something that people like you wish to imply and want to impose on us and our religion!!! Respecting other’s rights does not make you non-Muslim (or liberal in your world). Liberals are saner and more religious then extremists like you. Imagine this being shown live…. in a Hindu dominated area/country where a Muslim converts to Hinduism and the whole of Pakistan will rise in anger, calling it phony and a disgrace to Islam, same goes for our Hindu brothers, have some respect.
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@Babloo: true… this is something most of us are happily oblivious of.
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If ZAKIR NAIK can convert hindus to mulsims on live television in India, why not someone can on Pakistan…?????????????????????????
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@Hafeez Pasha:
If a muslim decides to convert to any other religion will muslims accept that.?
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Guys…what’s there to be criticised? Doesn’t make any sense!
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Islam has found new preachers in the form of Maya khan and Aamir Liaqat. Maya khan is increasing the number of Muslims. What a precious “national asset” she is!
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many people (muslims) will be gutted to see this conversion and (like the comments above) they cant digest the news, inc the publishing house….
….anyways, the telecasting on TV for the purpose of entertainment and commercial reasons is despicable.
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There is no news in this article. It is qouting Dawn fro anger. Tribune always try to find something to criticize. Then they don’t have courage to put these comments.
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I always have a feeling that Maya Khan wants to make religious bigots and organizations a potential backup for her.What she did in January was a mxture of activities by Shiv Sena,Ram Sena and Talibans but with camera and crew rather than weapons. I live in Canada,here a Muslim can change his faith/religion without any legal consequence and same is the case for non-Muslims if they want to enter the fold of Islam.And death penalty for apostasy is something that goes against principles of The Holy Quran.
For Maya Khan,whose “public service” in the parks of Karachi is still fresh in our minds,I just want to share an incident from the life of Hazrat Umar Farooq Razi Allahu Anhu in the blessed month of Ramadhan.
The second caliph, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattâb, used to patrol the streets of Medina personally to make sure that justice was being done and everyone’s needs were being met. One evening as he was passing a house, he overheard sounds from behind the wall of the courtyard. Listening, He climbed over the wall and found people drinking wine. He said that you are caught doing something immoral.
The owner of the house put down his glass and said, “You’re right, O ‘Umar, I have violated one of the laws of Islam by drinking wine. But you have just violated three laws at once:
1) The Prophet ordered: Do not eavesdrop on one another. But you eavesdropped on us.
2)The Qur’an says: Enter houses by their doors. (2:189) But you entered by climbing over the wall.And,
3)The Qur’an says you have to ask permission to enter a house and greet people with salâm (peace) when you enter. (24:27) But you didn’t ask permission or offer a greeting.”
Omar (R.A.) had to admit that the fellow was right. And it is said that he broke down due to the feeling of being guilty. This was a caliph and look at Maya Khan and her own version of Khilafat these days…….Shameless
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@faheem:
What if Muslim converted other religion?Would that be on prime time TV?
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Hindus, Shias, Ahmadis, Hazaras, Christians, Mohajirs, Baluch, and many others have been alienated and made to feel that they are not Pakistanis and hated. Who remains to fight for and save Pakistan ? Uzbeks, Chechens, Pathans and Punjabis ?Recommend
@asad anwar:
There may be a girl behind this conversion.
I am glad a Muslim did not convert to Hinduism on TV otherwise Muslims would have burned the TV station along with the person trying to convert to Hinduism.
What a big deal an office booy converts to Islam? This whole drama shows Muslims think very low of their religgion and have a great need to show, LOOK AN OFFICE BOY converted to Islam.
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For the people asking what would happen if a muslim converted to hinduism – sorry but it just doesn’t happen.
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what about Muslims converting to other religions? by the way religion and capitalism are so chummy on private tv channels in Pakistan. religion sells and fake piety increases ratings. If we get a little wiser we will see that market now rules over us and uses whatever it can to sell prodcuts and create consumers.
lagay ra ho bhai.
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I am fed up of wrong reporting of tribune
Theie job is to atleast report right figures
One example is saying that hindu represent 2.5% of population while act. Figures are less than0.8% behind christians whom are 1%
Second example is quoting forced converstions while ignoring what happened in the court
Even bloggers are more accurate
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@Hafeez Pasha:
If a Muslim converts to another religion willingly, will Muslims accept it?
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The pope baptised a Muslim journalist in Vatican City, Italy in a Continent where the percentage of Muslim population doesn’t reach double digits and Muslims in Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia and elsewhere were outraged because press was invited in. But Hindu converts to Islam: and its freedom of religion out of a sudden.
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@Rehman
Your last four lines said it all (especially in Pakistan).
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no problem it his personal choice in inida father can be muslim and mother can be hindu and their children can be cristian. freedom of practising religion guranteed in the constitution.
Usually a ceremoney will be conducted on that auspious day they put the boy in the horse and take him to the nearby masque and cut open the skin of his private part. but not in the tv station.
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when asked about any specific reason/liking the guy had no clear answer?. And look at his age…. this is an age of emotionalism instead of a well thought out and mature decision.
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Friends I belong to Religious Minority Group but if Sunil (Abdullah) accepted Islam his own will than i have no problem because every person has right to choice faith but if this activity done forcedly than its really condemnable and especially the way was adopted to present this conversion scene was showed that this country is only for Muslims and almost all institute just for my Muslims friends. Is there no any ethics to respect the human beings and their belongings.
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i have no objection or i dont mind his conversion,, what i see here is lack of respect for others belief.! i am a christian, i am a patriotic pakistani! but this kind of subjects makes me feel less patriotic!
please dont let us feel that we are less humans! we all pray for the betterment of Our beloved country! religion is a personal matter! humanity first!
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Christian evangelical channels show people converting to Christianity everyday in the West. Just because a Hindu converts to Islam on TV, it becomes “disgusting”.
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Aree sab tamasha tha TV TRP ka, aisey Musalaman bana jata hai hahhahha !!!The height of ideocity all sane people can question such action I mean what was the purpose of this live coverage of a conversion ???? This is totally condemned and cannot be recognised as a sane way of conversion by anyone. Ansar Burney has taken up the matter and sueing the Channel owner and Maya Khan with 10 million sterling pound. He has another story, the boy’s side to tell. It could also be a strategy to destroy the image and credibility of Ansar Sb who has a positive image in India and sabotage his work promoting peace, tolerance and harmony. Otherwise how about another live coverage of a Muslim to another religion ? Will one tolerate that ??????
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What is wrong with Maya Khan? We live in an extremely polarized society and people like Maya Khan are trying to make it even more polarized. I am 100% sure that Maya Khan knew that this action of hers will create a controversy. People like Maya Khan, religious fanatics and left-wing extremists are the bane of this Nation.
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@Shah:
Google islam-watch.org and meet (ex) Muslims who have renounced Islam.
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Religion is one’s private matter, its no surprise Pakistani or global bares no shame in turning religion into mass entertainment. Shame on you Maya Khan! Shame on you Media!
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@Babur Sohail: ““Second class citizen”
Please tell me whether muslims or pakistanis living in europe or US are not treated as “Second-class citizen”??????
it happens everywhere. Don’t be so sensitive about this.”
Pakistanis are treated better in US and Europe then Saudi arabia.
Saudis treat Pakistanis as servany class. Arabs don’t let arab women maeey Pakistanis as Pakistanis are considered lower caste.
Muslims have more freedom in US and Europe and they can even marry WHITE women to get green card.
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@Syed Owais Mukhtar, Why does us muslim sees ISLAM as the ONLY holy religion. Sometimes, such approach shows a high level of insecurity and inferiority complex. If you read unbiased history, most of the islamic scholars learnt lot of things from other religion, they travelled far with open minds to learn things. Just to give you example the widespread Arabic numeric system is actually what islamic scholars learnt in india, and started using it. When europeans came to arabian peninsula they learnt the number system from arabic tribes, and incorrectly calling it arabic numeric system. At least, europeans were honest in giving the credits due where it was, unlike our islamic scholars that simply accepted the honour with grace. All ancient mathematics, trignometry, geomet+ry were derived from ancient vedic/hindu wisdom that our scholars adopted. Good thing with them was at least they learnt things with open mind and thats why they succeeded. Unlike us who suffer from delusional superiority complex.
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Being a Muslim myself and living in USA, I am at a loss to understand how law can be unequal in cases of Muslims and non-Muslims. If a Muslim coverts to Hinduism or Christianity, his or her punishment is DEATH. Where’s justice in that equation?
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“Live conversion on Maya Khan’s show stirs anger”
Where exactly it stir anger? abroad? across the border? well, certainly not in Pakistan which is a muslim country still at this point.
Maybe the ignorant should tune into evangelical channels in the U.S for example and watch the biggest mullahs live before complaining too much about a country whose name still has the word” Islamic”.
Weird country and even weirder press……………
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Maya Khan does it again. Why was she hired by ARY when fired by SAMAA TV.
Coming to the topic, we love non muslims converting to Islam and I am sure people of other faith would also like Muslims converting to their faith. No controversy there.
Unfortunately in present scenario, such shows will dramatically increase intolerance, create insecurity in minorities and indirectly strengthen the hands of those indulging in forced conversions. Once you see a smiling Hindu embracing ISLAM on TV, it will be difficult to believe forced conversions going on in backward, rural, feudal setting.
Sorry to say, I severely doubt if MAYA KHAN is even half as pious and religious as portrayed on religious shows. Only an actor in TV drama can embrace a personality at odd with his real life. You simply cannot have a dual faced personality when hosting a serious talk show unless you intend to entertain in extremely poor taste and in non serious manner. THIS IS PURE HYPOCRACY.
If the TRP ratings so dictate, we may soon see Meera and her likes making announcement of moon sighting instead of a bearded / unattractive Maulana and Veena Malik reciting Urdu translation of Quran. We got to stop this madness of milking religious issues / topics for their entertainment value. MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US.
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Just think for a second, if it would have been done India what would have been your reaction?
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Dear Pakistanis……..Pl come out from your religious bigotry……..see the world with little compassion, little bit love and little bit sympathy towards other religion…….I’m sure you will fell a lot happy than ever. See the world view about you and your country….How many time you say that everybody is wrong and only you are right…..can you allow the same yard stick when it happens in your country…….Yesterday one British minister told something about your country and you come out denying it. How many times you’ve denied the world and its allegation? Can you say that everybody is against you and if so why? You know It is called ostrich like action, when you just don not want to see the writing in the wall. Don’t we feel happy on any purported and orchestrated drama like the conversion of one Sunil into Islam…….It really pains to non Muslims……..and just increases more hatred toward you. God bless you, May god bless you with reason………
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@Rahman
You said that anti-muslims will use it malign islam and muslims, and I hate to say but musliims do the maligning themselves without the aid anti-muslims by doing nothing to stop the nonsense going on the islamic world, such as the illiteracy, equal rights, religious persecutions, and killings. You can’t blame outside third parties when it is quite obvious who is doing what and to whom. You are right, islam is being abused, but the problem is, no one is doing anything about and until something is done about it, nothing will ever change.
Secondly, if this gentleman left his religion, to be part of another, and he did it of his own free will, as a Westerner and Christian, I do not see anything wrong with it because it was HIS CHOICE.
However, on the other hand, if a man decides to change his religion from islam to another by his own free will, no one has the right to say anything except, pat the person on the back, and wish them well on their spiritual journey.
I will say this though, imagine the uproar if a muslim man decided to change his religion from islam to Hinduism or even Christianity? They would be calling for his death, there would be attempts on the life of not just the man, but also on the television staff that aired the program. Didn’t Ali Jinnah say, that your religion has nothing to do with the business of the State and that every one is entitled to equality under the law regardless of religion? Hmm, seems like people are hypocrites when failing to understand their history.
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@SaqibTahir: According to Ansar Burney, Sunil is a worker within Ansar Burney Trust and who was deliberately used by anchor Maya Khan for a recent Ramadan transmission whereby Sunil was seen converting as a Muslim.
Another Kargil by media, they mislead this poor guy and public. I hope they don’t kill him for saying he is Hindu because TV show has made him a Muslim.
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Shocking and atrocious! Lets leave aside the matter of religion being a personal life choice.
My question is, has Maya Khan learnt nothing from the public park debacle? Perhaps she thinks she may redeem her reputation by being a matchmaker of sorts. I am beginning to question the self respect or lack there of of these so-called tv “hosts”.
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@SaqibTahir: “Ansar Burney termed the entire “Hindu to Muslim” conversion as a “drama” by tweeting, “my worker has full right of freedom but what Sunil told me is a painful story of drama so I have to take action.”
Probably the guy was tricked in0t this. I hope some jounalist can risk his life and investigate the truth.
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@Zeenat:
and how can he contact you . He will give it free to you.
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@Syed Owais Mukhtar: kindly do not speak of things you clearly know nothing about. There is no death penalty in Islamic sharia for Irtida / apostasy. If you are going to make such controversial claims you need to back it up with reference from Quran, Sunnah or Ahadis. In Islam there is on compulsion in religion. One can join or leave out of their own free will.
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What a lot of garbage… What is PEMRA doing? these so called channels will go down any level to grab the ratings… Pathetic stuff from ARY.
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after years we learn knews of some non Muslim converting to Islam in a Muslim majority country. It shows that character od Pakistani Muslims plays no role in convincing non Muslims to change their faith. it is a matter concern rather shame. Are Muslims allowed change of their faith following liberty allowed by Quranic verse “laa ikraha fiddin”
Javed
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Islam teaches us tolerence in the society, which creates harmony among people of different school of thoughts/ religions. All we have to do is to follow basic rules of Islam, noteably tolerence and fight against in-justice, then there is no need for any such talk shows on TV.
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@Rahman You say that there is nothing wrong in changing one’s religion. So should I believe that your religion also accepts a change of religion from Islam to some other religion? I donot think that is the fact. Then no religion has a right to ask people of other religions to convert.That is the sanity and civic behaviour.
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hello my Pakistani friends, congratulations on adding to your quantity. well done.
Throughout history you have oppressed the weak and the oppressed. well done again.
If someone converts to islam gppd for him but why make a spectacle out of it as if this is the only thing remains to be done in converting the 2 or 3 % minorties which still remain with you.
Good Mashgalla subanallah well gone. keep it upRecommend
We reall dont kow if he converted to Islam wilingly or it was just a facade. How about if he converts back to Hinduism, how will the TV and public will respond. I dont think they will take it lightly. Probably some one issue a Fatwa against him, so much for the religion in Pakistan. Is this the same Pakistan which was asked for by Quaide Azam in 1947. @asad anwar:
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I have a question: Can a Muslim change his/her religion in Pakistan? and could any channel even ARY would dare to telecast like that?
Answer will be NO.
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Ugh, if I were a non-muslim in Pakistan there is nothing that would have persuaded me to convert to Islam. People are so deluded and confused about their own religion that it’s a travesty. And I say that as a proud Muslim.
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Any petitions out there that can be signed against this?
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@Mrs QASIM: ” kindly do not speak of things you clearly know nothing about. There is no death penalty in Islamic sharia for Irtida / apostasy.
Please search :iranian pastor convert” on the internet. Feb 22, 2012 … A trial court in Iran has issued its final verdict, ordering a Christian pastor to be put to death for leaving Islam and converting to Christianity, …
Muslims take their religion very seriously. A few weeks back ? a mentally ill Muslims was burned to deathfor blasphemy by a mob lead by Mullahs in Pakistan.
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@R: Dear R, First of all India owes nothing to the Hindus who decided to stay back in what is now called Pakistan.The enormity of the incidence and the scale of riots broke out right after the partition caught every one by surprise.Secondly, i agree with the problem you mentioned about resettlement. But all these can be resolved, if Indian politicians have the will. They will not because Hindus can not be used as a Vote back neither by Congress nor by BJP.
I seriously would advice all the Hindus residing in Pak now to convert to Islam. This will at least save them the atrocities that they have to face every day. Being able to live safely and with respect and with equal opportunity is more important than what religion you follow.
I am a staunch Hindu myself and i am bleeding in my heart when i am writing the above paragraph but for me the safety of minority Hindus in Pak is more important even if for this they have to leave my beloved religion, as i do not see any other way to save them.
Praying for mercy from Muslims in Pak is useless as they are turning into hardliners with each day and for them converting others is a holy deed. So let them earn it. The way things are moving i will not be surprised if The Sharia is imposed in Pak in next 5 years and the country succumbs to Taliban may be in next Ten years.
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@Rahman: Rahman bhai, rest assured that this can never happen in India, No prime entertainment channel will dare to show such dastardly act on TV. The people of my country will be enraged with this audacity and the TV ppl will be behind bars. Secondly, Pak will create a huge issue out of this and will leave nothing in its control to instigate Muslims in India and use it as a ploy to make International society believe that India is no more a safe place for minorities.
Beside that, rest assured that our Muslim brothers are safer in India and we will make sure that they never feel alienated. I know you would point fingers towards few bad incidences but they are really very few and far between. Muslims are safe here as long as Hindus are in majority in India, because we will safeguard the democracy and we dont have anything called Sharia that needs to be imposed.
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enormity of the incidence and the scale of riots broke out right after the partition caught every one by surprise.Secondly,
Still going on. Many pandits and sikhs have left Kashmir. Terrorists know how to do it. They just pull up few dozens people out of their homes and kill them point blank. Rest of the people leave quickly. All this is done in the name of religion. Thirty five sikhs were shot dead by LeT terrorists wearing Indian army unifrom before Bill Clinton’s visit to India and Indian army was blamed for the attack.
Even there was a news about how a Jihadi camp was attacked before a Pakistani prime minster’s visit to USA to show Pakistan was serious about terrorism. A phone call warned the top Jihadi leaders to stay away. Phone call was recorded by a Western secret service.
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@asad anwar:
It seems like the guy has gone underground fearing for his life. TV has made him a Muslim, if he claims he is Hindu, some Muslim will kill him. Mullahs will not let him speak the truth. Even a Pakistani Muslim human rights activist says it was a drama where Sunil was mislead. Let us pray for his safety.
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@asad anwar:
What will be our response if a Muslim is converted to Hinduism in a live show in anyother country.
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A great day for Islam and Pakistan.
First ever conversion live on television, any where in the world.
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If Sunil i think his age between 20-30 doesn’t understand the Hinduism through out his life than what will he understand the Islam .
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