50 members of 10 Hindu families embrace Islam

At least 50 members from 10 Hindu families residing in different areas of Mirpurkhas division have embraced Islam, The Express Tribune learned on Thursday.

Mohammad Shamroz Khan, son of Minister for Religious Affairs, Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, attended the ceremony held at a local seminary - Bait-ul-Iman, New Muslim Colony.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Qari Taimur Rajput, one of the caretakers of the organisation, confirmed that 50 members of 10 families have converted to Islam.

“They all willingly converted to Islam. No one has forced them,” Rajput claimed quoting Khan. He also reportedly inquired from the new converts whether they willingly took the step during the conversion ceremony which was attended by several local residents.

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Rajput added that the converts will stay in a local facility specially established in 2018 for the new Muslims converts.

During their four-month-long stay at the facility, the new converts will study and learn their new religion and the organisation will provide them clothes, food and medicines.

“We extend all possible support that these people need,” Rajput explained, saying, hundreds of people have been converting to Islam during the last five years.

He also informed that only families were being converted to Islam. “We do not convert an individual as that could create issues,” he added.

Rajput added that following the four-month stay at the facility, the converts will be allowed go anywhere.

On the other hand, Hindu activists expressed their grief and anger over the mass conversions.

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Showing his anger, Faqir Shiva Kucchi, a Hindu activist, who raises his voice against the practice, said, “It seems that the state is involved in these conversions.”

He added that local community members have been demanding of the government for the last five years to initiate legislation against the practice.

“The conversions in Sindh are a serious issue and instead of taking measures to stop it, the federal minister’s son is part of the conversion,” he said.

“It is a matter of great concern for all of us [Hindus]. “We feel helplessness [now],” he said.

Kuchhi added that most of the converts were economically underprivileged and the local religious leaders take advantage of their state.

“They offer them financial support and convert them easily,” he alleged.