Mumbai: As the reports of forced conversions continue to pour in from different parts of India indicating that the Hindutva organizations do not have any plan as of now to desist from their controversial agenda, son of a 'Revert Muslim' while pleading with the RSS and VHP leaders to introspect, said the 'Home Coming' should actually be happening in the opposite direction.
Abdullah, a graduate from a Madrasa whose father reverted to Islam a decade ago, quoting from the verses of the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), says, "Every human being is born a Muslim. It is his or her parents who then make them Jews, Christians or Hindus. So, if such people are embracing Islam and becoming Muslims, it means they are returning back to their root."
"It is true that some people have converted their religion just to get married. But, it is misleading to say someone is forced, lured or tricked to embrace Islam. As a matter of fact, majority of the people who have converted to Islam have done so after a deep study, and after they got convinced by the teachings of Islam", he added.
"Among them are the people who tired of caste and racial discrimination were in search of a religion that can guarantee them a dignified life. Among them are the people who influenced by the Islamophobic propaganda did a study of Islam and found it totally different and very close to one's nature", he said.
The story of Abdullah's family is interesting. It also throws light on the root cause of conversion that the Hindutva leaders should ponder on. He said his father, a school teacher in a Maharashtra town, who belonged to a lower caste, would look with interest people visiting and praying in temples. This gave rise to a strong desire in him to pray side by side with others. But, the doors of the temples were closed for him.
"Equally fascinating for him was the nearby mosque where he used to see people coming five times a day and bowing their foreheads in supplication", Abdullah recalled.
"One day he sought permission to enter into the mosque, and was surprised to know that there was no hindrance and anyone can walk in the mosque and pray inside. It was unbelievable for him. It is then that he decided to know more about Islam", he said.
"A few months later my father embraced Islam. There was no money or force involved", he said.
Reiterating that conversion to Islam cannot be forceful, Abdullah said the fact that India is a Hindu majority country despite being ruled by Muslims for hundreds of years in itself shows that there was no forced conversion.
Abdullah also said that in the present global scenario, India stands a good chance to become a world power.
"But", he said, "The Hindutva groups by their divisive actions are creating hurdles."
Abdullah also invited the RSS, VHP and other Hindutva leaders to read Quran.
"Islam, Quran and the Prophet (peace be upon him) are not for Muslims alone. They are for every human being whether they are Hindus, Jews, Christians or followers of any other religion. RSS and VHP leaders should also study and understand the Quran. It is a book of guidance and there is every chance that they, like billions others, will get benefitted", he said.
A nationwide controversy erupted recently after a few Hindu organisations, some of which owe allegiance to the RSS, organised conversion programmes in some north Indian states to convert non-Hindus to Hinduism.
They claim that all Indians are Hindus, and the ancestors of the Indian Muslims and Christians were either lured or were forced to convert their religion, and hence there is a need of their 'home coming.'
There are others who believe that the RSS and other Hindutva organisations are raking up the issue to pave the way for the anti-conversion law.
"However", they say, "Instead of pushing the anti-conversion law, the RSS and its affiliate organisations should ponder on the actual reasons behind religious conversion."
News
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side