Christians Beaten for Converting From Islam in India
After recent reports that young Muslim men are converting to Christianity, police in India have arrested and allegedly beaten seven people who are suspected converts.
The police picked up the alleged converts in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley. They had recently been converted at the All Saints Church in Srinagar.
A Compass Direct news source, who requested anonymity, said police beat the converts and asked if Christians had given them money for their conversion. Most of the converts were from the Budgam district, about 18 miles from Srinagar, and pastors who fear being arrested were in hiding, he added.
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Police were able to acquire and identify the converts and pastors from a video taken at the church, which was later posted on YouTube.
The video that was given to police was from Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Bashir-ud-din Ahmad. He is the highest ranking religious official.
The Rev. Chander Mani Khanna, pastor of All Saints Church is scheduled to appear before the Grand Mufti on November 17. Bashir-ud-din Ahmad is also head of the highest Islamic court, Sharia, according to Compass Direct.
Pastor Khanna’s church is located in an area where Islam is prominent. Yet many young Muslims come to his services on Sundays to partake in Holy Communion.
He told Compass Direct, “I have never gone to anyone’s house to share about Jesus.”
“But in the church, it is my responsibility to preach God’s Word. I can’t refuse anyone. The house of God is open for all.”
Ahmad alleged that Pastor Khanna was converting young Muslim men and women by offering money and that therefore he must be arrested.
The Mufti told news outlets that the video was definitive evidence that Muslims were being “lured” to Christianity, although it only shows the baptism ceremony.
“I can’t convert anyone, it is the work of the Holy Spirit,” he added. “And what do I teach in the church? God’s love and how to be good citizens and good human beings.”
He continued, “If it was meant to be a secret or illegal activity, we wouldn’t have allowed cameras.”
