Free-will marriage: Teen to tell court why she wanted to convert, marry Muslim boy
Complete strike in Ghotki in reaction to elopement.
SUKKUR:
Faryal, previously known as Rinkle, appeared before the court in Ghotki on Saturday with her husband Naveed Shah, a day after converting to Islam.
On Friday, the 19-year-old grade XII student went to Daharki with Naveed, where she converted and solemnised her nikkah with him. All of this took place of her own free will, according to Mian Mohammad Aslam, son of Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Mian Abdul Haq. He commented on the case as he said that he had called up her parents to inform them that she had eloped. Rinkle had asked him not to and just help her convert so she could get married. Her family, however, is adamant that she was kidnapped by Naveed and forced to change her religion.
The couple was presented before the Ghotki second civil judge, Hassan Ali Kalwar, on Saturday. The court allowed Faryal to meet her parents and siblings in a separate room for two hours and then submit her statement. Faryal requested the court for two more days to decide about her future. When she refused to go to a Darul Aman shelter, the court ordered a lady inspector to take custody of Faryal and bring her to court on Monday (today).
Advocate Mohammad Murad Lund represented Rinkle’s uncle Daya Ram, who registered a case with the Mirpur Mathelo police. He and Rinkle’s father Nand Lal allege that Naveed was responsible for kidnapping Faryal. The court ordered SHO Mirpur Mathelo to take Naveed into custody.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the court, including men from Bharchoondi Sharif, Hindus and political workers. The Jeay Sindh Mahaaz’s Riaz Chandio condemned what he said was the kidnapping of a Hindu girl.
He alleged that the Pirs of Bharchoondi Sharif have defamed the Dargah by using their power to force a girl to convert. On Sunday, in reaction, there was a strike in Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo and Sarhad.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2012.
Faryal, previously known as Rinkle, appeared before the court in Ghotki on Saturday with her husband Naveed Shah, a day after converting to Islam.
On Friday, the 19-year-old grade XII student went to Daharki with Naveed, where she converted and solemnised her nikkah with him. All of this took place of her own free will, according to Mian Mohammad Aslam, son of Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Mian Abdul Haq. He commented on the case as he said that he had called up her parents to inform them that she had eloped. Rinkle had asked him not to and just help her convert so she could get married. Her family, however, is adamant that she was kidnapped by Naveed and forced to change her religion.
The couple was presented before the Ghotki second civil judge, Hassan Ali Kalwar, on Saturday. The court allowed Faryal to meet her parents and siblings in a separate room for two hours and then submit her statement. Faryal requested the court for two more days to decide about her future. When she refused to go to a Darul Aman shelter, the court ordered a lady inspector to take custody of Faryal and bring her to court on Monday (today).
Advocate Mohammad Murad Lund represented Rinkle’s uncle Daya Ram, who registered a case with the Mirpur Mathelo police. He and Rinkle’s father Nand Lal allege that Naveed was responsible for kidnapping Faryal. The court ordered SHO Mirpur Mathelo to take Naveed into custody.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the court, including men from Bharchoondi Sharif, Hindus and political workers. The Jeay Sindh Mahaaz’s Riaz Chandio condemned what he said was the kidnapping of a Hindu girl.
He alleged that the Pirs of Bharchoondi Sharif have defamed the Dargah by using their power to force a girl to convert. On Sunday, in reaction, there was a strike in Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo and Sarhad.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2012.