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KARACHI: A Pakistani Hindu's conversion to Islam live on television during a prime-time Ramazan chat show has sparked criticism on behalf of religious minorities in the country.
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 Pakistan 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 private channel 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, Pakistan's oldest newspaper, 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 a rival channel 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. 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 private television channel 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 Government of Pakistan's figures, Hindus make up 2.5 per cent of the country's population of around 180 million.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (302) Closed
Therealtruth
Jul 27, 2012 01:41pm
What rubbish, you can pressurise most people to do most things. Look no further than the Milgram experiment for evidence of that. Muslims pressurise people to convert, they instill laws such as death to prevent people from leaving Islam, yet strangely the pro-islamists don't mention any of that?
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uthmanmalik
Jul 27, 2012 01:56pm
Talat Hussain is also a Muslim and a famous one at that, and he is condemning this thing.
You Gopal on other hand might be a bigot who is stereotyping all the Muslims with your statement, "Muslims are the biggest hypocrites in the world".
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somebody
Jul 28, 2012 09:54am
why do some muslims suffer from superiorty complex?why cant they enjoy the diversity in religions and culture?why cant they give equal love and respect to other religions?why do they want to turn the whole world in islam?..why dont they understand the simple fact that other people also love their religions like they do?
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Basit Ali
Jul 27, 2012 01:35pm
This showmanship 'conversion' shows that bigotry, intolerance, and religions arrogance have reached unprecedented heights and acceptance in our society. It is a most shameful moment Greater shame on those who made a 'tamasha' out of it. To those who are proud of this act, tell me what has Pakistan or Islam gained by it?
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Suresh K.
Jul 27, 2012 01:36pm
The editors of Dawn are to be congratulated for bringing up this article and feeling concerned for the minorities' sensibilities. Your criticism of this fortunate or unfortunate event (depending on who is the viewer) is noted and appreciated. By the way, the boy, of his own volition wanted to convert - so be it. Who are we to complain? Hinduism's forte is always letting the person seek for himself what he/she wants in their spiritual quest. If a Hindu, well versed in his religion and who understood its tenets well, converted then I would feel perturbed. I've been living in Melbourne for twenty years now and I regularly get visitors (Jehovah's Witnesses) who come and chat with me for a good 45-60 min each time they visit. I have only one question for them - give me one good reason as to why I should change my religion. They go back disappointed each time.
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Usman
Jul 27, 2012 01:40pm
If someone has found a religion for himself what is the problem to any other person. Its a personal choice.
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Zulfe
Jul 30, 2012 09:39am
Well, lets not blame Islam for the problems by muslims. Why? because the so called muslims are not following Islam. May be the reverted muslims will be able teach the muslims by birth, what Islam is.
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Manoj from Kolkata
Jul 27, 2012 01:22pm
Too Hindu banega naa Musalmaan banega .... insaan ki aulad hai insaan banega.
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Faisal
Jul 27, 2012 10:49am
These mullahs have made religion a public show, sab dukanein chamka rahey hein. No wonder minorities are leaving the country en-mass.
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Rahul
Jul 30, 2012 03:13am
What you mean to say is .. you try to poke holes in the Hindu religion and pass it off as strength of Islam ?
I shall not even try to do a similar exercise with Islam. I would let you live in peace - my religion tells me to treat YOU a bigot equally too.
As for the questions - the world is asking you so many , if you are interested in argument, you can try answer them.
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FRA
Jul 27, 2012 02:03pm
I'm a Muslim and this is a shameful act...to my Hindu and other Non-Muslim countrymen, this is not acceptable to majority of the Muslims; our premature, irrespeonsible media is playing with the sentiments of millions of people. The people involved in this episode do not represent me or majority of the people. They are intolerant, ignorant vultures.
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guest
Jul 29, 2012 12:48pm
Thanks, we Shi'a have 1400 year history. Our Imam is Ja'far al-Sadiq the teacher of Imam Abu Hanifa
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Aniel
Jul 29, 2012 09:29pm
Is this only form of entertainment left for media and people, watching innocent people suffering and more suffering? Posting pictures of slaughtering by Talibans and now this. Where is the society heading. Reiligion is hijacked by paranoid, mentally sick people. Individuals have to change.
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Manu
Jul 27, 2012 11:34am
Before Pakistan takes up the plight of muslims in Kashmir, it should look at the condition of Hindus in Pakistan. The percentage of muslims in India has been steadily increasing since independance. However, the percentage of Hindus in Paksistan has drastically decreased. This human rights violation should be addressed.
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Zen
Jul 29, 2012 08:43pm
There are thousands of conversions of muslims to India. My cousin married a muslim gorl after her conversion at the local Arya Samaj. You should really learn before you talk.
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Jasim
Jul 27, 2012 02:29pm
I am a Muslim and I can tell that their is intolerance towards other religions. I have had the unique opportunity to be friends with a christian and a sikh and I know that one company actually refused to hire my christian friend because they said in so many words and I quote "we don't want a non muslim to work here". This is just one example and I can write a book on how the religious minorities are not given their due rights promised by Islam itself. Funny thing is both my non muslim friends are very well educated and probably have more knowledge of Islam then most of the people who discriminate against them in the name of Islam.
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Karachi Wala
Jul 28, 2012 02:05pm
sha, and your point is???
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gopal
Jul 27, 2012 10:44am
Talat Hussain, who hosts a political show on private television channel 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........there would be riots for ISLAM is in danger. Who cares if muslims are in danger?
Muslims are the biggest hypocrites in the world. They expect others to respect the sensibilities of the muslims, and yet they have no respect for others.
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fika77
Jul 29, 2012 10:03pm
Well your guess may not be correct. There are muslims (with proper religious understanding not the tempered one) in pakistan who don't care about who is converting to what religion/faith.
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Mohammadazeez
Jul 27, 2012 11:45pm
Why don't these Mullahs (if they are so concern about muslims and Islam) go to Burma and fight on behalf of muslims thetre.
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Azhar Hussain
Jul 27, 2012 05:35pm
I am speechless for display of so much inscensitivities to our brothers in other faiths. Shame onthsi TV channel and shame on people who were applauding. These same people will be up in arms if a Muslim converts to other religion. We have case here in the USA, where a Sri Lankan Muslim families daughter converted to Christianity and all hell broke lose. She eventually got protection from the courts.
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abdussamad
Jul 27, 2012 04:59pm
This is a good thing. Non-muslims are a tiny minority and they should be treated as such. There is no basis for their protests. This was a voluntary conversion. In Pakistan we have a free media and freedom of religion. Non-muslims need to respect that.
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Shams
Jul 29, 2012 04:48am
Prime minister of India was not voted by people in india, he is picked by the ruling Party.....and sikh prime minister was a Political move.........Muslim President Kalam...was nominated NOT voted by the population and president is just a ceremonial post..... Politically India had to appoint some minorities for a show and economical reasons. Have you ever been to ARAB countries?
In secular India One have to hide to eat chicken or goat....forget about god forbid COW......Secular India Please.....
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Muhamm
Jul 27, 2012 11:01pm
Muslims are utter bigots
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G.a
Jul 27, 2012 02:31pm
"If Allah willed, He would have made you one nation (religion) but that He may test you in what He has given you. So strive (as in a race) in good deeds." Quran 5:48.
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uthmanmalik
Jul 27, 2012 01:58pm
This is for sure condemn-able, but why isn't anyone bothered about her parading a young girl on live TV and making her tell how spices were put up her private parts?
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Mori
Jul 27, 2012 01:32pm
To be fair, this event means different things to different people. Most of us would either feel joy, hatred, fear or shame. However, it affects that boy most who appears to be poor. Hopefully, changing his religion will allow him a better life ... both materially and spiritually.
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Omer
Jul 28, 2012 03:50pm
Pakistanis get a kick out of bashing Mullahs that's the core of it. Its a fashion statement, talk about religion toss in the word mullah spice it up with a reference to minorities and bingo its a sell out. The society has become so polarized that hardly ever an issue is dealt with on its merit.
There are multiple channels around the world in which such programs are aired, from peace TV in India to Gospel channels around Europe. Even prime time channels telecast such shows here in Europe so stop making the hew cry as if this was some barbaric crime against mankind and get a life.
There is a deep hypocrisy running down our spines we tend to become liberal champions but hardly behave like one. What would you expect a religious cleric to do if some one from a different faith expresses the will to become one of your faith ? Say no ? Good morning to you in that case. A lot of people asked here what would Muslims feel if a channel shows a Muslim converting to Christianity ? Well and good, why the heck not if that's what they want how would people react is a different question. That has nothing to do with this particular Mullah or the host. Its about society in general . If you want to make this society a better society help people become more tolerant and discuss attitude of the masses instead of selling the "anti Mullah" attitude cause you have been doing it for a while now and the results NADA!!!
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Asif
Jul 29, 2012 04:41am
Take it easy. I read mostly anti-muslim sentiments here from the mainly Indians here. Chill out and relax, its not the end of the world.
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aaa
Jul 27, 2012 12:36pm
An article with many points based on things taken from here and there. Please write your own things from your own experience and dont copy paste.
One major problem when writing such articles is that very wrong information is given to the foreign based people and at one time when the volcano of reality will rupture from below it , it will harm people not living in Pakistan to accept that. People are creating a false sense of pride by reading such things and telling themselves '' we are better than you.'' This does not work. Either be empathetic or dont write.
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Karthik
Jul 27, 2012 11:08am
If Hindus start converting Muslims to Hinduism in India, then i am sure people like Hafiz Saeed and other bearded cronies would beat their chests in a war cry
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Karachi Wala
Jul 27, 2012 10:42am
I want to ask only one thing from the Mullah who performed the conversion, ARY and Maya Khan, can they run a similar show and watch peacefully, where a boy or a girl being baptized, converts to Hinduism, converts to ahmadiyya, or become shia? Come on be brave, honest and just.
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Hasham
Jul 29, 2012 10:09am
chill dude you are taking too much pressure
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Gerry D'Cunha
Jul 28, 2012 12:01pm
Mr Shah, your comment:BUT Maya Khan has not learned any lesson from her recent morning show on Samaa TV. Shame on you Maya. Mr Shah, she needs publicity by hook or by crook.
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sam
Jul 30, 2012 06:57am
Lateef - i think you need a religion shift yourself.. go get yourself convert mate. :)
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dkumar
Jul 28, 2012 02:17pm
Good work Dawn , atleast some hope is still there till courageous newspaper like yours is up against such fundamentalists. keep it up. May Allah give some wisdom to mullahs.
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Hasham
Jul 29, 2012 09:50am
more of that riots and protests will begin against the person and the channel responsible, where as this matter should be suppressed and knowledge and peace should be used to indicate the weakness in our faith.
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adeel
Jul 28, 2012 08:30pm
i feel sorry for some of u with behaviour of hypocrites..... IT is our religious obligation to spread islam peacefully i have seen it a Alhamdulilah a million times in ireland and england christians being reverted to islam on streets and live debates. go on youtube zakir naik , khalid yaasin, yusuf estes all these have doen it a million times as long its out of free will i wish a million like these happen inshAllah ,
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Neo
Jul 31, 2012 06:38am
Pacifist & Akhlesh - there is no point arguing with this SHAMS guy.. He is an ignorant person who doesn't even know what he is talking about... argue with sane minded people guys.. stop wasting your energy and wisdom on someone who has lack of it to understand it.
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indian guy
Jul 29, 2012 09:01pm
Very few muslims would pass the tolerance test.
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19sami92
Jul 29, 2012 08:20am
What is wrong with you people :S
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Ahsan
Jul 29, 2012 09:13am
If this issue was not put forth, no one would have really have any objections or opinion towards it. The point I'm trying to make is that it is a VERY biased article and by the looks of it 90% of you actually consider it neutral and are easily convinced. That is quite unfortunate. There is a joy when a person converts to Islam. No one does it to humiliate the other religion but as a joy and happiness to see a brother or sister come into the fold of Islam. Secondly the joy expressed also helps encourage the new muslim and gives him a sense of relief and support. Thus in NO WAY is this an offense to the other culture. But if it is biased against Islam ofcourse you will see it as an "offense to minorities and discrimination." Furthermore you have the whole western media blaming Islam and making Islam seem as an extremist and terrorizing religion yet you people have no concern whatsoever towards it and you consider that as a freedom of speech and a fair observation. How ignorant can you be?
Secondly there is no problem with televising Islam, as it is a source of teaching other citizens about the religion. Why do you think Prophet Muhammad PBUH preached Islam in public infront of the crowd? isn't that similar to Islam being televised? Islam's message being given out to the mass media?
Also answer this, do you think people should not convert to Islam?
Because I can write an article biased towards my opinions and say that this article posted tries to discredit and discourage new muslims or individuals who wish to accept Islam. Because according to the article a person converting Islam is indirectly offending the minority religions and thus Islam should no longer accept any converts because it loves other religions and doesn't want to upset them -.-
And don't you ever see those TV shows where american christian priests are "creating miracles" and healing people?
Don't you ever think that Maybe thats trying to state that God power and miracle is only present in the religion of Christianity and thus all other religions may it be Islam, Judaism, Hinduism etc are all just bs? So you know what why don't you consider that as a similar dilemma?
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Karachi Wala
Jul 27, 2012 04:21pm
I would like to add one more thing here. As person converted is quite young, if in coming days or months he realizes that he made a mistake, would they let him reconvert to his previous faith? Will they be able to show such a spritual program on their show, while who are involved in his current conversion and the same crowd watches peacefully? Or we will witness another Mumtaz Qadri ?
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nh
Jul 27, 2012 05:25pm
Bravo! what a reply, exactly the same will be from me.
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Rana Amir
Jul 27, 2012 05:28pm
We are so schizophrenic that we had to put a mazhabi dabba in our passports.
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farah
Jul 27, 2012 05:41pm
if any muslim convert to chirstain or hindu first they will never shown on any pakistani chanels,second after all mullas will give fatwa to kill that person.
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alo majumdar
Jul 28, 2012 12:54am
Bravo Vinod. May your tribe grow ... and the world would be a much better place.
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MKB
Jul 28, 2012 09:03am
Good question. Pls. retrospect, The answer lies in the problems. You will get he answer once you change side.
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Sana01
Jul 28, 2012 09:18am
This guy converted due to his own will. You cant stop any body for his freedom of speech.
If any one is choosing anything and media showing then why cry. I hate when innocent muslim dies in Gujrat and indian media sleeps. We know what Happens to hindus in Hindustan. And What is happening in Assam.
Guys just dont take away anything from the new muslim brother. We wish him prosperous future in this world and hereafter.
Atleast media is only showing truth.. and these are your minds which cant accept.
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Hitesh
Jul 28, 2012 09:18am
Sunil is a silver lining in dark clouds surrounding Islam. Islam still has hope.
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Love
Jul 28, 2012 01:21am
Sana you know how old is ISLAM...only 1400 years old...tell me didn't GOD existed before that or all people who practised other religions before ISLAM came into picture have gone to hell...just you need to introspect yourself....After all how ISLAM has spread everyone knows that...History needs no proof...let LOVE flourish and then lets see which faith predominates other...poor 1400 years old child of.....hahahaha.....do I still need to tell you that....Enjoy buddy....
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Asif Khan
Jul 28, 2012 02:33pm
What are those two questions?
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ISH
Jul 28, 2012 02:47pm
Whats the point of displaying his conversion, whether its exercise of free will or not?
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@nathnpal
Jul 27, 2012 09:25pm
Human actions will be judged by god whether it is caste discrimination, or conversion by giving money or for the benefit. Still it will be Hindu blood only. Are Paki Bhai. Tu to God badal dia. Tere nazar me my khafir bangeya. Magar my kayar to nahe . God is great whoever it is.
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Lateef
Jul 27, 2012 02:00pm
Yet again Dawn successfully combined one issue with an incident that has nothing to do with the issue. Poor Dawn, why you need such publicity stunts! This scene is very common in large Masjids in New Jersey USA. Its name is ISCJ, I lived there for 3 years and we witnessed such events on every other Friday and yet no Christian or Jew organization or even country government had any issue. But unfortunately Dawn thinks that people are always forced to change religion. What a childish act of Dawn. Please grow up and do some serious investigative journalism (if you know what it is)
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FM1
Jul 27, 2012 11:10am
seeking cheap publicity yet again !
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Ghalzai
Jul 27, 2012 01:21pm
“safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being” and, in fact, it is an essential requirement for a government ruling a heterogeneous public. Khalil Gibran." Abolish the discriminatory laws against minorties, make laws to protect the minorities and then strictly enforce those laws.
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Sana01
Jul 27, 2012 11:55am
Excellent Job, This Hindu guy was fed up with his religion which was lie and he has all his choice and will to convert. Whats wrong if he is converted due to his free will as he understood new religion Islam. If somebody is accepting truth he should be encouraged and media should be appreciated showing truth.
Welcome my brother to the truth..
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Ali Abbas
Jul 28, 2012 12:21pm
As a Muslim I am apauled at this trash being shown on TV. I apologize to all the minorities in Pakistan. Some of us still believe in Quaid's vision of Pakistan, where minorities should be treated with respect. I also suggest that everyone launch a campaign against ARY abroad and write lettes to our political representative and cable providers to ban broadcasting their transmission in foreign countries.
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Shah
Jul 27, 2012 12:20pm
Well guys don't waste time here, we all know very well there is no religious discrimination in Pakistan. Everyone is enjoying his/her own religion. No one can pressurize someone for converting to Islam or Hinduism or Christianity. It is a person his/her own utmost choice whatsoever religion he/she wants to follow can follow. So Sunil is a free person, he is a Pakistani citizen ,It is his own utmost will that he converted to Islam. BUT Maya Khan has not learned any lesson from her recent morning show on Samaa TV. Shame on you Maya.
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omar masood
Jul 27, 2012 12:20pm
Religion is a private business! the state or media has no business interfering. If anything the media should play the devils advocate for minorities. we all know how minority rights are critical for the sustenance of a healthy democracy. Religion of truth or not! the merits or demerits of the conversation is totally immaterial. anyone sud have the right to do whatever they want as long as it is within the purview of their constitutional rights!
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Anand Jha
Jul 27, 2012 01:00pm
I will congratulate Dawn who has been always focused on taking Pakistan into a new era and has been advocating religion of humanity. I can see quite a lot of educated people following this religion now.The change is not going to happen in one day, but small change will keep accumulating before it will show it's effect. I condemn the irresponsible act of ARY TV who should have shown respect for everyone in the country..
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Kamal
Jul 27, 2012 02:07pm
This is disgusting and shameful showing conversion on TV. This Islamic extremism and obsession has taken our country to the hell hole that we live in and at this rate will spell its doom. This is an open insult and a slap in the face of non Muslim Pakistanis...
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allaisa
Jul 28, 2012 02:20pm
Just that you know, you cannot convert to Hinduism. Simply you believe in its philosophy and practice it.
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rajesh singh
Jul 28, 2012 02:30pm
great work like a true pakistani
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rehan1975
Jul 28, 2012 01:04pm
How does it indicate "bad" taste if the person was converting willingly ? If you feel that bad about Islam getting some decent publicity then I suggest you simply change the channel and watch something else
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Ansari
Jul 30, 2012 09:40pm
An educated thoughtful rational answer...the way a Muslim's should be.
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rehan1975
Jul 28, 2012 01:38pm
Interesting to observe how the preachers of "secularism" and "tolerance" can not tolerate what is against their beliefs !! ... If someone can not bother to watch a live conversion then he can
a) switch channel
b) watch recording of the conversion later on in case the live event proves to painful !!!
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rehan1975
Jul 28, 2012 01:40pm
I completely agree !!! People are free to change the channel if they can't bear to watch such live conversions ! ...There are a lot of "secular" channels around I am sure :-D
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Zero
Jul 28, 2012 02:16pm
Good for you.
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Jim
Jul 30, 2012 03:44am
Has the channel where Maya Kahn hosts the show sacked her yet? If not then people need to vote with their remotes and BOYCOTT THAT CHANNEL, not just her show. Once the ratings take a hit and advertisements plummet, we will see what those bigots-- Maya and everyone at her tv channel who condoned that despicable show-- have to say.
;/
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T Khan
Jul 29, 2012 10:31pm
I hope Sunil doesn't change his mind later to convert back to Hinduism.
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Bilal
Jul 29, 2012 10:33pm
Next up, live coverage of defacing kalma from Ahmadi mosques followed by special edition of "who wants to kill an ahmadi?"
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Adeel
Jul 29, 2012 11:32pm
@Gopal, seems like you don't have respect for your own self and religion. Had you had respect for your own religion then you wouldn't had disrespected Muslims in such an ignorance way! Learn and give RESPECT!
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SAM
Jul 30, 2012 12:42am
Who wrote this article by the way?
There are hundreds of Muslim girls in India forced to marry Hindu men due to Social and Economical inequality. Why the critics of this broadcast forget targeting of Muslim societies by other religions: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bosnia, Chechnia, Palestine, Kashmir, Indian Gujrat, Burmese Rohingyas, Libya, Lebanon and Syria ?
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Roohi
Aug 01, 2012 04:27pm
...and what exactly is that? It seems as if what she said went over your head.
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Iqbal Z Khan
Jul 27, 2012 02:36pm
Its not wise to bring such issues and dramatize them on national media. There are other forums for same. Cheap publicity for the channel and the hostess.
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Sohail
Jul 27, 2012 02:36pm
No one comes closer to Paki Mullahs when it comes to "exhibition of the religion."
What actually surprised me in this whole episode was the open handed and open hearted encouragement these Mullahs received from people around. The televsion netwrok who broadcasted such an event in equally responsible.
Feel sorry for a society where "Rehan" is considered superior to "Rohan" solely because he is Rehan and not Rohan.
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Pulak Mukherjee
Jul 27, 2012 02:36pm
If they show Muslims being converted to other religions, what will be the reaction in Pakistan? Recently in India, which is not an Islamic republic like Pakistan, a Christian priest was arrested in Kashmir for trying to convert Muslims. This was done to appease the local Islamic fundamentalists.
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Lateef
Jul 27, 2012 04:06pm
If Talat would have studied Islam then he would know that why a person would never think of becoming a Budhist if he/she knows about Islam.
DAWN has published this article to feed more anger towards Pakistan in the minds of people like you, and it has done its job. Please study Budhism, Hinduism and Islam before touching the conversion scenarios.
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Antion
Jul 29, 2012 09:18am
Couldn't have been said better.
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Karim
Jul 27, 2012 03:51pm
Religion for ratings is a bad idea.
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SecularIndian
Jul 28, 2012 09:25am
Yes, ask our country's muslims, not ONE will cross over to Pakistan if they were given a choice to.if we were not truly secular, would we have a Sikh prime minister? Or a muslim presidents in the past? Think, brother, think!
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Karachi Wala
Jul 28, 2012 09:26am
Dear Ali and Muhammad Sheikh that is the whole point. My point, is every citizen of Pakistan free to choose the religion of his/her liking? While ahmadiyyas were declared non Muslim in Pakistan, so are shia's who are considered non muslim by many flavors of main stream Sunni Muslims. Please check the history and see the fatwas issued by many well known and top Sunni Ulema of the past and present against shia Muslims. By the way many sunni Ulema have issued kufr fatwa against each other as well. The whole point is where the buck stops?
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Engr Karim Baluch
Jul 29, 2012 08:30am
Conversion in any faith it is between Individual and Allah sobhano tala , why these Mullas and maya exposing and making drama . Problem is not that increasing the population of muslims , Today All of us bring peace, tranquility and brotherhood in our country . not kill each other as we are doing in many shapes . protect and respect each individual either he is muslim or not .
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Secular Pakistani
Jul 28, 2012 02:38pm
Yes, its people like these who are promoting an extremist view of our country...showing such conversions is highly condemnable and displays our intolerance towards people of other religion...i simply cannot understand how is such a programme supposed to entertain or educate us? Whats the point of airing such a thing?
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farah
Jul 28, 2012 12:27am
same here many muslims say to me convert to islam i have same question give me one reason,all just keep quite.
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Sandy
Jul 28, 2012 12:26am
Many times this might have happened in the past, but one thing here to notice is that people in Pakistan talking differently ... which I think need to appreciate. For now am not much concern for that Boy becoz this has been happening ... BUT now people are speaking up that am happy about. Har insaan ko kud ko jaisa chahiye waisa jeeno do !!! that voice is coming out ... thats really good. Well going Pakistan !!!
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farah
Jul 28, 2012 12:23am
i agree with u.
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Zulfe
Jul 30, 2012 09:56am
I believe the writer of the article is intolerant towards the freedom of speech, freedom of choice and freedom of religion. This type of things are happening in the west without any issue. The writer has done no research on how a non-muslim should be encouraged to revert to Islam. The article shows lack of knowledge of the writer.
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appi
Jul 28, 2012 12:05am
agree with u nasah
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Zulfe
Jul 30, 2012 09:45am
For your info, this is happening in the west. Muslims and people from other religions are converting to christianity on TV, and in other public gatherings. But that is considered freedom of speech and freedom of choice. There is no harm in reverting to Islam publicly, be it on TV or in a mosque or in a gathering.
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Muslim
Jul 27, 2012 11:05pm
Even if the young man converted to Islam willingly, showing it on TV indicated bad taste and insensitivity to the feelings of minorities who are already suffering enough in Pakistan It was like Insult to Injury. shame on this channel and shame on the people who are responsible for producing such show. If i want to convert to Buddhism, these same people will lynch me on live TV.
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A.Sathyamurthy
Jul 28, 2012 08:46am
Six decades after independence, why should people be obsessed still with religion? Religion must keep you at peace with yourself and the world and should be purely a private affair. Does religion help people produce food, find jobs or help the country's economy? It is time people became more pragmatic about life.
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Sudhakar
Jul 28, 2012 08:45am
@Lateef This is not a contest between Hindus and Muslims. That kinda of mentality is flawed! Belief/Faithis a personal matter. You believe in something or you don't. Others need not stand in judgement. If Sunil wants to convert to Islam so be it! Let us not make a thamasha out of it. The question that still begs the answer is how will Muslims react if a Muslim is converted to another religion. My guess is...violently! That my dear is hypocrisy.
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@fahadbombaywala
Jul 29, 2012 01:17am
My Friend you're absolutely right!
Being a Pakistani I believe that this of converting and all is a shamefully criminal act. It doesn't matter at all that we - the Pakistanis - strongly disown Maya Khan for her "holier than thou" moves, the fact is that she happens to be a Pakistani.
We've already initiated our move towards filing a strong petition against this individual for such violations of the Human Rights.
As a Pakistani I absolutely have a duty to guard my society against such evils as the founder of our Nation, Mr. Jinnah has so believed in the equality and freedom of all the castes and all the creeds (not just in the territory of Pakistan) but on a global level as well.
Hoping for hope hopefully
Fahad
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shahzad
Jul 28, 2012 08:32am
All who have commented here so far, how many actually have seen that program?
All such shows that are being aired on Christian, Hindu or Islamic channels... should be stopped.
I don't understand why Islam in general and Pakistan in particular is always immediately judged as the culprit in any incident involving Muslims/Pakistanis without going into fine details?
I have never seen Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism or other religions judged as cause of problem due to some evil act committed by some Christian/Hindu or Jew Individuals.
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manjee_chat
Jul 29, 2012 06:37am
What on earth are you talking about?
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Shams
Jul 29, 2012 04:39am
Raghu, It was nice to hear from a Hindu that There is ONE GOD......Please be honest and tell me if HINDUISM calls for ONE GOD? Please read your Ramain and other six books.
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Vinod
Jul 27, 2012 12:32pm
Please be careful and learn to respect others. If one religion was the only truth why would there be other religions. Most of us follow the religion we were born into and feel that is the only truth. If a child is not born into any religion and he learns about all religions from the scholors of all religions, then you can speculate what religion he will adopt.
Trust me he will not accept any as practiced, will not accept any dogma and will be spiritual.
If one religion is superior to all others and the intelligent people would convert to that religion. Converting for convenience, poverty or escaping discrimination if not accepting the religion. If as you claim Islam is the perfect why do you not allow studying other religions and let the people who want to find enlightenment through other religion or no religion adopt believe what that person wants to, and not force them to stay in your religion by fear of execution. While on the subject and for your information there have been conversions from Islam to other religions but for fear of death they are not publicized but you can google to check.
May god bless you with tolerance and peace.
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zubair
Jul 30, 2012 05:16pm
So Pakistan is turning more like the USA, where if a Muslim leaves his belief to become Christian, some take joy and publicize it in media to show that Islam is somehow not good. Everyday many Christians become Muslim and that news never make it to the same media, I wonder why?
So, I guess Pakistanis are no different than Americans then.
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chak
Jul 29, 2012 04:17am
Big Deal. Zakir naik has been doing this for zillion years. or some amount of time atleast. This is mundane now.
The real discussion now should be when a person refuses to embrace Islam and is beheaded, should TV be allowed to show that live?
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Rakesh
Jul 27, 2012 02:07pm
mane mane tekel-u phaarsin....The End is coming - Qiyamaat
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NASAH (USA)
Jul 27, 2012 12:25pm
We Muslims are struggling all over the world for equal treatment as a minority -- and right in our own backyard where we are in majority we treat our Hindu Christian Sikh brethren so shabbily.
If we want fair treatment and justice from others we must be fair and just to others.
Thanks Dawn for speaking out against the discrimination.
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Rakesh Pujari
Jul 29, 2012 02:26pm
Brother, I appreciate your views and efforts and also point out that in this holy month if you have these intentions.I am assured it will be accepted in the court of Great GOD.
May GOD bless you and all those who has these noble intentions and courage to standup against all odds in society.
Once again I;as an human then as an Indian pray for people like you...!!
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indian
Jul 28, 2012 11:30am
In Pakistan if you have a free media and freedom of religion, then will pakistan, muslims, or you will allow any pakistani muslim to be coneverted to other religion? and thats also on live pakistan tv. abdussamad pls reply.
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Usman sodha
Jul 28, 2012 11:14am
I think it's important to show such important events on television. It proves that there is freedom of religion and thought in the country and anyone can adopt their philosophy of choice without fear. If a human being finds a superior thought system than he was born into, who is to stop him from announcing it to the world?
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Akhlesh
Jul 30, 2012 12:31am
Shams: You do not know about Hinduism. There is indeed just one GOD in Hinduism. All other gods are this GOD's facets, like the 100 names of Allah in Islam. Furthermore, Hindus even accept atheism.
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Akhlesh
Jul 30, 2012 12:38am
Actually, FRA, it is acceptable to majority of the Muslims.
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Bilal
Jul 29, 2012 11:07pm
Depends what islam you want to promote, if you call alim online promoting islam, then Khuda hi hafiz hay. Islam, the word itself represents peace. How can you promote it when cannot provide and protect human rights, the basic right of every human, regardless of religion, in a country which is suppor to be free? and it's not just Pakistan, majority of muslim countaries have a disastrous record when it comes to human rights.
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Magus
Jul 28, 2012 10:36am
Oye marnaa hai truth deny Kar Kay? At this rate Of course the whole world will be something one day. What that something is I don't know. The episode does show Islamic pride in even one new member accepting the truth such joy in addition of one to the 1.2 billion. Bravo.
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Capt C M Khan
Jul 29, 2012 01:01pm
Islam is the IPL of Pakistan. You can sell any food product here if you wear a cap and a beard. Let them make money dear.
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SecularIndian
Jul 28, 2012 10:19am
And WHY in gods name would your own media promote your own country as an extremist one make the world hate you??? This is unbeliievable that there could be such warped thinkers like you in your country!
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Neo
Jul 31, 2012 06:31am
you missed the point Rachel...
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@KickASoccerBall
Jul 29, 2012 10:40am
If this issue was not put forth, no one would have really have any objections or opinion towards it. The point I'm trying to make is that it is a VERY biased article and by the looks of it 90% of you actually consider it neutral and are easily convinced. That is quite unfortunate. There is a joy when a person converts to Islam. No one does it to humiliate the other religion but as a joy and happiness to see a brother or sister come into the fold of Islam. Secondly the joy expressed also helps encourage the new muslim and gives him a sense of relief and support. Thus in NO WAY is this an offense to the other culture. But if it is biased against Islam ofcourse you will see it as an "offense to minorities and discrimination." Furthermore you have the whole western media blaming Islam and making Islam seem as an extremist and terrorizing religion yet you people have no concern whatsoever towards it and you consider that as a freedom of speech and a fair observation. How ignorant can you be?
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Nishan Antaal
Jul 30, 2012 01:04pm
I am happy how the general Pakistani population responded to it. It shows that sooner or later these Mullah's and Maya Khan's will be thrown out of Pakistani society. Dawn as always did very good job by highlighting the issue. Feed back from the Pakistani people show that this country still have lots of moderate thinking people. And don't forget Pakistan is land where Guru Nanak and other sufi's spread the message of equality.
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Agha Ata
Jul 27, 2012 02:23pm
It was a clumsy way to tell minorities that they were no good, and their people were converting to Islam. Why couldn't they do it quietly in a mosque or in his home? Why this publicity? That might be a shock for the cleric to see how many Muslims convert to other religions, secretly, and many times just in their heart in order to save their lives, lest they are murdered because of it. Telling you honestly, these things do not give a good name to Muslims! The biggest threat to Islam mare these clerics.
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Neo
Jul 30, 2012 07:09am
hahaha.. Lateef mate you made my day.. laughing my heart out..... you are the true face of pakistan and muslims in the present scenario.. and i am so happy to see it from other other side..... i pity you my friend... looking out vulnerable things in other religions to see yours in good light... only a warped thinker like you will do that... my muslim brethren in india are way way better than you guys....
if you ask me, i think its better not to know about your religion than believe in its misguided interpretation... what you are following is not what the real essence of islam is.. come to india and learn it from any of my muslim brother here.
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Gerry D'Cunha
Jul 27, 2012 04:24pm
I think its high time, the Christian world and the United Nations should open their eyes to help the minorities in Pakistan in easing their visa policy for the minorities to migrate to their country and put strong restriction on visa policy for the muslims.
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chakraborty
Jul 27, 2012 11:19am
Hindus will be abused by words like idolaters, Mushriks, Munafiqs etc. etc. etc.
If Muslims think there is one way to reach god and others are subhumans then this problem cannot be solved.
and we know what is the biggest slogan used in Pakistan
" Pakistan ka matlab kya , la ilaaha ilallah"
There is no need to highlight such issues. Its very normal in Islamic countries to subdue minorities.
Now Hindu %age is 2.5%, After 10 years it will be 0.25%_ Inshallah Religion of peace will prevail
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MUSLIM
Jul 27, 2012 04:18pm
Totally agree with you Vinod. I am being muslim myself think that kind of program/ conversion is disgusting. Above comment of mr Shah, come out of ur fool world, no discrimination against minorities in pakistan? u kidding..
Just see how shias are being killed on daily basis all over pakistan by wahabis and poor christian, hindus and other minorities HAVE NO RELIGIOUS RIGHTS!!!!
Learn to respect other religion before u demand the same for u.
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Zaman
Jul 29, 2012 08:46am
If a person wants to convert to any religion, you don't need to come on TV and make a drama. Those who think this is okay, what would be your reaction if that boy was Muslim and had chosen another religion? Would Maya Khan broadcast that? Religion is not entertainment. If you can't understand this, keep your backwards thoughts to yourself and don't bother commenting.
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Zulfe
Jul 30, 2012 09:48am
Of course there are many social evils in our society and we should work to solve those problems. But having all those problems does not mean that muslims do not encourage non-muslims reverting to Islam.
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Altaf Husain, Mumbai
Jul 27, 2012 02:44pm
Hope this guy did not convert for the lure of being able to take multiple wives.
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SecularIndian
Jul 29, 2012 09:32am
Shams sahib, Whatever way these people are chosen, if the whole Thought of non hindus heading the country was hated by the wholeopulation, would they just keep quiet? Would there not have been mass protests to boot them out? why are they allowed to be on their pOsitions? did you know that pres Abdul Kalam has been the most popular president ro date? utterly loved by the entire country, to the extent many people even want him back? Your defensive argument is very weak and does not hold water.....incidentally no body in India needs to hide ro eat chicken and goats and cows, where did tou come up with THAT one?!
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GRK
Jul 27, 2012 02:51pm
Zhoom ke jab rindo ne pila di, shaikh ne chupake chupake dua di.
Hindu converted to Muslim, minority leaving country, Pakistan being purified to become a "Pak" mulk.
Faisal, search your conscience, at some corner you will find some sort of satisfaction, sakoon!!.
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sam
Jul 27, 2012 03:09pm
wha bhai wha!
How glorious is Islam!
This is the final proof that no one was converted to Islam by force.
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Raghu
Jul 27, 2012 03:15pm
How do you know that the Hindu guy was fed up with his religion? What makes you think so? Do you know what truth is? The truth is Muslims do not respect other religions. Muslims do not care for sentiments of other faiths. The truth is 90% of you Pakistanis were once Hindus who were forcibly converted to Islam.
The practice of converting to Islam is prevailing in Indian sub-continent since centuries ago. Just check four generations above and you'll be surprised to know that your fore-fathers were from a beautiful and peace loving religion called Hinduism.
What else can be expected from a nation like Pakistan? Remember and mark my words... Pakistan will never prosper and will never shed its terrorist tag unless there's a change in the mindset of people. Learn to respect other religions. Because god is one and there are different paths (religions) to reach out to him.
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Love from Germany
Jul 27, 2012 03:17pm
Well done Mullah! Hope more Hindus in Pakistan to come forward and get telecasted while embracing Islam. Oh Mullah, never stop with Hindus only; also bring Christians, Sikhs, Ahamadiyas and others to the fold of Islam. Once you succeed in finishing that task, ask all Shiites to become Sunnis. When you all become Sunnis then turn into Frankenstein monsters and devour all!
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Gerry D'Cunha
Jul 27, 2012 04:45pm
Sana01 - I would advice you to watch Christian God channel 'Muslim journey for hope' where Muslims give their testimony in converting to Christianity.
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Mohammadazeez
Jul 27, 2012 11:25pm
There was nothing wrong him converting to Islam or other religions. It was his right. What is wrong is showing this on TV. Religion is a personal matter why make a circus of it. Does Pakistani Mullahs know that 300 Kazakhis and Azabaijani Muslims have also converted to Hinduism and thousands of Central asian muslims converted to Christians .
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Hmmm
Jul 27, 2012 03:20pm
most Pakistanis themselves are Hindus converted to Islam for fear of life or to gain civil justice during mogul rule. what is big deal of this one person converting to Islam. poor guy now he has to stay in Pakistan for rest of his life, can't go out of the country because he will now face discrimination.
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B.Ally
Jul 27, 2012 03:29pm
A Tamasha made out of a religion on a Live TV. Religions are too sacred for their believers. Do not make a show out of it against those who are already vulnerable.
This is no favour to any faith. It only shows intolerance.
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H. Being
Jul 27, 2012 03:29pm
What would be newsworthy would be watching Maya Khan's conversion to a
decent mature human being!
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manish
Jul 27, 2012 03:35pm
maybe sunil's problem is solved...now he will find a willing bride in you....
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Lateef
Jul 27, 2012 03:36pm
Can you tell me why Islam is the fastest growing religion, specially in US and Europe? No Maya Khan or 'forcing government' is here? If someone would have forced this boy then he would have gone to Dawn channel to get him help on human rights immediately.
Why don't you study all religions and then come to the conclusion? That's be the best way to answer your question. (if you are not afraid of your family)
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Lateef
Jul 27, 2012 03:38pm
That's exactly what this former Hindu boy did on this show. He exercised his free will.
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Lateef
Jul 27, 2012 03:39pm
By Dawn. yes. It is not new for this TV show by the way.
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Lateef
Jul 27, 2012 03:40pm
Really! All Hindus I know in Pakistan are still living there and booming their business in Karachi and other parts of Pakistan! Please enlighten me with true facts.
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Rahmat
Jul 27, 2012 03:40pm
So other religions are a lie ? what non-sense.
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manish
Jul 27, 2012 03:41pm
ye gana bhut purana hai...and it is applicable only when both sides are willing...not possible when only one adopts broad-mindedness, and the other becomes fanatic....also, a muslim can never be hindu....it directly goes against the commandments in quoran...or against the kalma of muslims....
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manish
Jul 27, 2012 03:42pm
bhenji, half-truths are more dangerous than lies...do tell him the entire truth about islam.....
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Lateef
Jul 27, 2012 03:45pm
Why can't you try your luck and convert Muslims in India to Hinduism? They are more in number there and you have better chance.
Unfortunately no one force religion to others and same is the case in Pakistan. It is only DAWN which is not happy if a Hindu publicly accepts Islam, because DAWN wants to portray that Pakistan is a extremist country and all Hindus are dying or something like that and religion is forced on them, but that is not the case in this scenario. If DAWN reports on true cases where religion is imposed forcefully then I'll support them but not in this scenario where a boy has exercised his freedom to choose a religion.
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C Kay
Jul 27, 2012 03:04pm
I converted from Sunni Islam to Christian/Hindu. Any jubilations on this from you?
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Lateef
Jul 27, 2012 03:49pm
Haha.. if you study both religions then you'll know why any Muslim would not like to become Hindu. Hafiz Saeed will behead that person later but the Muslim him/herself won't accept Hinduism. I had a wonderful discussion with some Hindu colleagues in US about Hinduism but unfortunately after 2 questions they said that they don't know what is their religion and are just following it because of their family and don't even believe in it but have no choice.
You are so funny.
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Antion
Jul 29, 2012 09:21am
He said DAWN, you Einstein.
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Lateef
Jul 27, 2012 03:51pm
Please watch the program and then read this article again. You'll realize that it is not an issue but DAWN wants to show a special image of Pakistan so that it becomes easy for outsiders to hate us easily.
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waqar khan
Jul 27, 2012 04:04pm
same thing goes for ali sina too i guess
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Undisclosed
Jul 27, 2012 06:03pm
Shame on you Pakistan. This is a dark day in the history of Pakistan. I want the demise of Pakistan. This is not my country. We have too many criminal mullahs in Pakistan.
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khan
Jul 27, 2012 06:07pm
You ignorant people watch any American evangelist live shows.They have shown many many times muslims and other faith people converting to christianity on live tv shows.
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humaira
Jul 29, 2012 08:58am
Islam is worldwide and has a natural acceptability for those who comprehend. Issue is whether we should broad cast the acceptability or conversion or not. Pakistan no doubt is a Islamic state will definitely use all means to promote Islam.It is for the information to all those who claim to be Muslims but are against this broadcasting, Islam is not private matter it is universal (public).
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Mukesh
Jul 27, 2012 06:49pm
Accepting division based on anything will never stop drilling down. In 1947 we divided ourselves based on region, further now we are dividing our own countries based on religion. It would not stop with that even if we have only one religion we will divide by caste then sub-caste then individuals.... Now I am seeing husband and wife are dividing based on smaller issues. Humanity will go back to 1000s of years backward and then I think we will attack each other and to protect each other everyone will start making communities. This is circle of life on earth.
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NoReligionDesi
Jul 27, 2012 06:54pm
I wonder what will the mullahs do once they have force-converted, driven out or even eliminated the minorities like Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Ahmadias, Shiyas in Pakistan ? They have to then find some other way to divide the 'all Sunni' population to continue their 'conversion' business. While the whole world is moving towards a scientific future and concept of God is becoming irrelevant, these mullahs with dark-age mindset are dragging the masses backward into ignorance. The whole business of religion has become profitable to power-mongers and heretics. They have no 'spirituality' in them...only power and money in their mind. We need revolutionay thinkers and leaders like Kamal Pasha, Maulana Azad or Raja Rammohan Ray to cleanse the society from inside. There is no way external power can get rid of these 'germs' of society. People must wake up !!!
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Ali
Jul 27, 2012 06:57pm
Shia is a branch of Islam. Just for keeping the record straight.
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Ali
Jul 27, 2012 07:02pm
It ofcourse is a personal choice and a private matter. The out cry is not over the boy converting to Islam, the outcry is over showing it on television publically.
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Ali
Jul 27, 2012 07:04pm
Will you say the same thing if a muslim converts to Hinduism or Christianity of his free will????
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Rakesh
Jul 27, 2012 07:05pm
Calling one religion superior to others or the only true one is utterly ignorant. Worse still is to kill someone because of religious differences.
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Razzaq
Jul 27, 2012 07:18pm
Brilliant.
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Razzaq
Jul 27, 2012 07:20pm
And they will dance and behave like baboons.
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Razzaq
Jul 27, 2012 07:24pm
Oh she has, she is now trying to paint it white.My firm belief on RE-BORNE muslims is getting firmer.
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Karan
Jul 27, 2012 07:28pm
keep digging your grave ..
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Rameez
Jul 27, 2012 07:30pm
The problem is showing it on Television.
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SB1
Jul 29, 2012 10:38am
Is it?? Than why not show Muslim being converted to Christianity/Hunduism??
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SB1
Jul 29, 2012 10:35am
I support you
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SB1
Jul 29, 2012 10:37am
Absolutely or she should be forcd and repead (read the meaning not the spelling)
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Abcd
Jul 27, 2012 07:47pm
did you feel a sense of achievement after hearing about this conversion? that is the fundamental problem, my brother...when religion ceases to be a personal matter but a measure by which society defines its success
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Abcd
Jul 27, 2012 07:49pm
how do you know that all other religions are false. reminds me of a frog who thinks the well is the world. have you really ever studies other religion, tried to analyze them critically in an unbiased fashion.
That day you may realize that all religions are the same. Love, respect and truth !
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Hahahah
Jul 28, 2012 05:22am
Islam is fastest growing because it’s mostly in developing world.
And it's increasing in US and Europe, you Lateef visit US embassy and see yourself number of requests filed for immigrating.
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DoesItMatter
Jul 27, 2012 07:54pm
It is GEO who wants to ace the ranking and degrading image of others. Firstly it was Amir Liaquat who was punished for leaving GEO (ironically he's back on GEO) then it was Luckman of DUNYA. Now they are defaming ARY for showing Live Conversion.
Why don't these people say about PEACE TV which has been showing conversion. I'm just wondering....
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Junaid
Jul 27, 2012 07:57pm
And this is how you "Hindus" repond? I thought someone was talking about "Tolerence?....Pagans have to be criticized and discouraged in all fronts.
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DoesItMatter
Jul 27, 2012 07:58pm
true
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sha
Jul 28, 2012 06:36am
this is Islamic republic of Pak
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talha
Jul 27, 2012 08:11pm
one more member in the family. It is the joy of welcoming a new arrival silly.
As far as tv goes, it has no religion. TV channels put up programs to increase viewership. As you already know reality shows are a big hit these days.
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NASAH (USA)
Jul 27, 2012 08:29pm
Not all Muslims are fascists -- nor all Hindus are progressive -- but there is more bigotry in us Muslims than among other communities.
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AHA
Jul 27, 2012 08:36pm
We are sick to the core.
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NASAH (USA)
Jul 27, 2012 08:45pm
Dair (temple) ko Hindu kee Masjid ko mussalmaN kee talaash
kho gayee iss khoj meiN insaaN ko insaaN kee talash
(Nasah)
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Saad
Jul 27, 2012 08:47pm
Bravo!!
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Muhammad Sheikh
Jul 27, 2012 08:51pm
I whole heartedly agree with your point however you do realise that "shia" is a branch of Islam and not a seperate religion ... it is exactly this kind of lack of knowledge that has lead to shia muslims being prosecuted in Pakistan.
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AHA
Jul 27, 2012 08:53pm
While I am a liberal at heart, I think this is way below the belf.
I think Dawn should have Dawn should have used its editorial discretion more wisely here.
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AHA
Jul 27, 2012 08:55pm
@Vinid - Well said.
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Jawwad
Jul 27, 2012 09:11pm
I am a Muslim and I think it's a shameful act on part of TV program to live cast such things. I have studied religion thoroughly and it specifically states that religion is a personal matter of human beings and this is also what Jinnah proposed. We should not be highlighting personal matters like these. After all, for how long will we wear our religion up our sleeves? I was against the restoration of Liaquat Hussein and he's done it again. Also shame to all who wanted him restored. This is not the Pakistan I was born in and this is not the Islam I follow. Pakistan now has it's own version of Islam which is distorted and commercialized.
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@nathnpal
Jul 27, 2012 09:37pm
It's hard to believe this statement. But it sounds correct.
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Talat
Jul 27, 2012 11:27pm
As a commentator above pointed out..its a personal choice...Agreed. But this should not be aired on television. I think Pakistan has come to a crossroads and has taken the wrong turning. For Pakistan to become a progressive forward looking and secular state it needs to rid itself of mixing religion with state or with entertainment. Rid the country of taliban and their likes.
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Ananth
Jul 28, 2012 01:26am
Stereotypes always exist for a reason. If a stereotype exists then it is necessary to contemplate on it and set it right rather than deriding stereotyping itself.
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Ananth
Jul 28, 2012 01:30am
How do you know Hinduism is a lie? Have you attempted to read even one single Hindu scripture and tried to understand it? Do you know even .0001 percent of what exists in Hinduism?
Just because you are brainwashed doesn't mean it is true. Open your eyes my brother, to the vast real world out there. Get out of your brainwashed little hole.
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kamran
Jul 28, 2012 01:32am
there is force conversion in pakistan, some are doing it to lure the people. it is not only with non muslims. they are doing same thing among muslims. before 70s there were negligible population of deobandi and Ahle hadees. but after zia-ul-haq with the help of saudi Rial established 17000 madaras to recruit for aghanistan. and to convert million of Bralvi maslak to deobandi.
UN should tight the screw of those countries, who force or lure to cahnge someone's religion. or alter the demograhy of any country. in Mayanmar the budhist and in yougosalavia the other religion did same to muslims, like ethenic cleansing.
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shankar
Jul 29, 2012 05:23pm
Mr. Owais, this is news to me. I live in a city by name Chennai in India and am surrounded by Hindus who have converted to Christianity in hordes. There might have been attempts to reconvert some of them but it is never easy and is not top in the list of anybody's priority. See, we Hindus cannot wash away our sins or go to heaven by converting somebody, frankly we think we may go to hell for maligning another religion, which also leads to the same God.
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xc1br
Jul 28, 2012 01:57am
Islamists in deed indeed!
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MKB
Jul 28, 2012 08:06am
It has deeply sadened me. Such open vandalism of other faith speaks about real color of this mindset. Religion is solely a privet matter. True religion will never believe in show of. There should be a strict law about showing this types of Tamasha on TV.
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Igloo
Jul 28, 2012 08:14am
It would be an interesting if predictable experiment. Love become the new 'religious' value. The dominant member of the society go around rooting out people guilty of not letting love flourish. The vile criminals who would kill love are deemed dangerous as they would send us back to an age of violence and bloodshed. The sentence: death.
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Sanjay
Jul 28, 2012 02:19am
So you think in those country where muslim is in minority must to be conserse in the country majority religion right sir and you will not protest and respect that decision and minority class doesn't deserve protection So that accept the accept the religion of majority
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Shams Khan
Jul 28, 2012 05:33am
Secular India?.......R U Kidding?
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miramshah
Jul 28, 2012 02:28am
Another bigoted Himman.
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miramshah
Jul 28, 2012 02:29am
Maya Khan shed light on a common occurence in our hypocritical society. Get over it
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miramshah
Jul 28, 2012 02:30am
All of that is already in place.
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Sergio
Jul 29, 2012 11:33am
It has everything to do with the position facing non-Muslims in Pakistan. It also illustrates the hypocrisy of the society as a whole - lets play role reversal. Imagine a Muslim converting live on Pakistani TV, what would have the reaction been?
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shiva sundar
Jul 28, 2012 08:23am
how come there is strife in( iran,iraq,afghanistan,pakistan,somalia,mali,algeria,sudan,thailand,burma,syria,egypt) .there is one common factor,all have civil war kind of situation because of either islamists fighting amongst themselves or they are fighting others.if islam is a religion of peace as proclaimed ,then why such loss of life in these countries.it is a time to retrospect.firstly all religions are equal,secondly religion is a personal affair.unfortunately in all these countries ,the clergy and the people seem to think otherwise.LIVE AND LET LIVE.
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Sadia Zafar
Jul 28, 2012 03:53am
I had thought that nothing could make my blood boil more than the despicable sight of Mumtaz Qadri showered in rose petals but I am so sorry I underestimated our shameless media and mullahs.
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ahana
Jul 28, 2012 03:59am
They have made fun out of a TV show! Thank God I live in a secular India!
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Igloo
Jul 28, 2012 08:10am
Perhaps not jubilation - but you are an 'ayah' - you made a choice.
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Krish Chennai
Jul 28, 2012 08:20am
Firstly, Dawn in the article did not say anything negative about anyone converting from one religion to another. What it decried is that this should be made a spectacle of, for viewers to enjoy vicariously. Secondly, had such a tv show come on anywhere in India, displaying conversion from any one to other label of religion, that would have been the end of the channel, let alone something like Maya Khan's show, where any confronted couple in any park, would have just told her "mind your own business".
And should conversion be such a critical affair ? Years ago, when missionaries traveled converting lesser-folks to Christianity, Bernard Shaw had remarked " The conversion of a pagan into Christianity, is actually the conversion of a Christian into paganism" . Those who gloat or are perturbed by conversions, should contemplate that today.
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kamran Zaki
Jul 28, 2012 04:45am
I have got another one for you...
Insaan Insaan ko dass raha hai
aur saanp yea dekh k hass raha hai :P
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Ahmed Jumma
Jul 28, 2012 07:36am
Dear Taranveer Singh, please do not blame Islam. Actually Muslims do not have time to preach Islam. It is very difficult for me to make you understand Islam, therefore, I suggest you to please read holy Quran and see what is the truth. If a muslim is not following the Law of Quran, he will be equally be punished by God, there is no exemption for a muslim. Islam is the only solution for all mankind. If all Muslims can start preaching, they can turn the whole world in Islam because nobody can deny the truth.
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kamran Zaki
Jul 28, 2012 04:37am
Lets not Generalize. We all know how tolerant Hindus were when they brought down babri masjid. Are all hindos like that?
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kamran Zaki
Jul 28, 2012 04:41am
I want demise of people who wish demise of pakistan. Correct it if you dont like it...stop being royal and thinking someone else has to do it...if we can cant then live with it while others work for it...wish for your demise if you dont like it. Pakistan does not only belong to you so you dont have a right to wish evil for something that I own too.
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kamran Zaki
Jul 28, 2012 04:43am
yea right...we know how secular you are.
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A crying Pakistani
Jul 28, 2012 04:52am
Ramadan special: Islam up for sale.
Islam is probably one of the most lucrative businesses in Pakistan. We are sick to the core, we have used Allah and the Prophet (pbuh) as our marketing tools. It is not about this one incident of conversion on TV. It is about the sick mindset and no conscience that we dwell in. Every thing we do is contrary to Islam.
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Muhammad Waseem Khan
Jul 29, 2012 04:59pm
I am not defending the Mullah or Maya Khan but let me say that come out of the fear that something will happen in Pakistan related to religion issues. Islam is the fastest spreading religion in the world and that can't be accepted by non-muslims. Please don't be afraid of the consequences Allah is on our side.
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Hahahaha
Jul 28, 2012 05:25am
Congrats Vinod well said, I have seen Lateef going all around Dawn and trying to prove why other religions are inferior to his.
Seriously now this guy has no clue how to reply to your logic and totally lost.
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taranveer singh
Jul 28, 2012 05:32am
what is purpose of religion. it is to make world peaceful n better. there are already 1.5 billion muslims. if muslims think world would be better with more muslims. or if everybody becomes muslim they think wrong. Afghanistan was a Buddhist country if muslims think after becoming muslim Afghanistan is peaceful better and honest than they think wrong. or if they think japan, norway, Sweden. could be better n honest countries if everyone follow islam there then muslims think wrong. no gain if some one becomes muslim. world could be deprived of Steve job, bil gates, if usa was muslim nation.
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Shams Khan
Jul 28, 2012 05:40am
Kamran,.....I do not know what Pakistan you live in. You seems like Shafee Okarwee's type....me and our family were and are Barailwey but gradually left practices that we used to do......and geeting close to deobandi but still not deobandi....these transitions happen in all religions......there are faithful christians who migrate from catholicism to baptist, Jehova, methodist and vice versa........Grow up please...
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Raja
Jul 28, 2012 07:47am
Recently pakistani foregin minister advocated of opening pakistani TV channels in India during his visit to New Delhi,if this is the standered of pakistani TV`s towards minorities, how come a secular country like India can allow these kind of channels to be aired in india.
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ajay
Jul 28, 2012 05:57am
just one question: if the entire world converted to islam/christianity/hindutwa, would it bring peace on earth?
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Adam Khan
Jul 28, 2012 07:42am
This is very sad that they are showing such thing on TV. Religion is ones personal matter.
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Ron
Jul 28, 2012 07:03am
Darwin forgot to take you into account.. Read the the theory of evolution?
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Shahzad Akhund
Jul 29, 2012 01:19am
I agree with you on the main subject of televising this conversion on TV. I'll even go further and condemn all who participated in that TV show, especially the mullah who performed the conversion and Maya Khan and the TV channel, shame on all of them. However, we must not jump to blame an entire nation, religion or a community for the misdeeds of few ignorant and irresponsible people. If some illiterate tells you that 2+2=5, would you blame that illiterate or the science of math. Any one who has a basic knowledge of Islam would confirm that it prohibits the followers from passing adverse remarks against any other religion.
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Fasih
Jul 28, 2012 03:09pm
Maybe thats true of Muslims in the US. Don't try and include me with you.
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There is no debate
Jul 28, 2012 03:10pm
No one can give you or satisfy you with any argument. If it has to happen you would find the reason yourself then no one can stop you from doing so.
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@fahadbombaywala
Jul 29, 2012 01:30am
Well said Talat!
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sadia s
Jul 29, 2012 01:31am
well.. its all about tolerence...On the religious note... we should all show tolerance... this is what our religion teaches..
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El Cid
Jul 28, 2012 03:19pm
Optimum requirements for conversion to Islam:
1. A non-Muslim must have studied Islam, Muslim Culture and its Scriptures for at least a year—in freewill. No coercion of any kind whatsoever: Financial, matrimonial, social, etc. NO, No, no...!
2. Non-Muslim's close relatives, neighbors, friends should be aware of what he is contemplating...their blessing though preferred, is not required if the person is of contract age. A minor is not eligible of own cognizance.
3. Non-Muslim must be aware/cognizant/mindful of what becoming a Muslim entails.
When these conditions have been fulfilled--in good faith and free will--the person may, preferably publicly, become a Muslim...a religious setting on TV, as in this case, is acceptable as is any similar pious gathering.
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There is no debate
Jul 28, 2012 03:24pm
They have nothing better to show, they can do anything for TRP. This is not religion, this is not Islam.
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El Cid
Jul 28, 2012 03:27pm
Islam is a social religion with a private core. However if the intent and objective of the TV show and its participants was self aggrandizement or profit...a sin has been committed. Allah knows best.
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Raja imran Dhruggi
Jul 29, 2012 01:02pm
There is no issue of religious discrimination.Minorities are enjoying their rights in Pakistan.in this modern era and world of information we cant hide any thing from anyone. people are in touch with every one through social media.I have watched many shows on american t.v.converting Muslims into christianity..Nothing bad in it.If someone wants to convert a hindu or muslim it is his or her own will no one can stop him her forcefully.We should not be hardliner in this regard.be moderate
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sadia s
Jul 29, 2012 01:34am
strongly agreee
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Kash
Jul 28, 2012 03:42pm
@ Gopal: Dear, You got many confusions about muslims, I pray you study Islam and history. Burma example does not suits here. As this conversion is under the fear of life threat. We condemn the act what this TV show is hosting. This is not the way to convert people to Islam. Religion should be kept away from entertainment.
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Zimbo Indian
Jul 28, 2012 03:45pm
There seems to be a great emphasis among most Muslims to prove the superiority of their religion. I notice this in Islamic TV chanels of India and Pakistan. I wonder why we can't respect other people's faith the way we respect our own? Hindus are not known to try converting any one to Hinduism but Muslims and Christians do so. This feeling of superiority is what is is harming Islam and causing all sorts of problems to Muslims in different parts of the world.
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Zimbo Indian
Jul 28, 2012 03:49pm
Certainly, converting to Islam will be good for Sunil. He will now be able to live without fear of religious persecution. He may also not have to worry about his daughter being kidnapped and converted to a different faith, etc.
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B R Chawla
Jul 28, 2012 03:57pm
Whether the guy has converted into Islam willingly or under coercion or for some consideration is his private affair, but thumping of clergy's back by showing this achievement on TV is in a very bad light and hurting the already oppresses minorities by bemeanig their faith. Well how does it help to claim that one more Muslim has been added to the religion which is so intolerant to their own Shia brethren. Religion should remain a private affair if humanity is to live in peace. Chawla
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Meyer S.
Jul 28, 2012 04:05pm
"I have accepted Islam by my own will and my family has no objection,” he told AFP.
Not much, actually NO argument, left after that. Let it be.
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Jawwad
Jul 28, 2012 04:13pm
It does not matter what others do. Isn't this what initially separated us from rest when we were first called Muslims? This is not to undermine any other religion. You are seeing public anger because these incidents have been going on far too long and now too frequent. We are reacting negative because we know that we are better than that and we are capable of being better. Most Pakistanis world over flourish and excel and are examplery so why can't in Pakistan?
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Rachel
Jul 28, 2012 04:16pm
"...there have been conversions from Islam to other religions but for fear of death they are not publicized..."
Well, then what made Tony Blair's wife's sister become a Muslim? What made him say first study Islam before you criticize it? At the time he was one of the most powerful and influential man in the world. So who forced his sister-in-law to become a Muslim in her own country and start wearing a hijab?
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Fonseca
Jul 28, 2012 04:24pm
That is indeed a worth conversion. But before any jubilations, my first question to you would be: How were you able to become a Christian and Hindu at the same time?
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MyThoughts
Jul 29, 2012 03:46am
SANA01 - Please learn to be more tolerant..
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Hudson
Jul 28, 2012 04:47pm
Good observation Lateef. I have had similar expriences.
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Zaman
Jul 28, 2012 04:54pm
Well said.
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MyThoughts
Jul 29, 2012 03:40am
Good for you.. Whatever you feel good with.. Who am I to say anything? It's your life my friend..
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Delhi
Jul 28, 2012 05:12pm
I agree. My auto-suggestion to all religious leaders of Pakistan and India, try to concentrate more on self reliance on economic and social factor instead of encouraging Hippocratic things on live TV. At least learn from cordial relationship between Canada and USA.
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ani
Jul 30, 2012 12:01pm
couldnt agree more - since ive left pakistan it seems like there are more and more of these wannabe librals in the country.... it seems like all the liked comments are about how horrible this is..... but as a muslim I would say why argue with success!!
And for your info.... here in the UK a there are tv channels which are full of christian evangilist and show conversions to christianity whenver possible.... the only difference is that people dont WATCH channlels like that !!!
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Zeeshan Shamsi
Jul 28, 2012 06:47pm
One Hindu is converted, and all apparent Hindu readers of Dawn are offended....Don't you have anything better to do? Infatuated with Pakistan, are you?
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pankajdehlavi
Jul 28, 2012 07:56pm
I was posted at a construction site in remote place in north east. One day by chance, I had to the local village of a local
labour contractor. He invitd me to his house for tea. When I entered his home, I was surprised to see the photographs of
Hindu Gods, muslim Kaba-Sharif and Jesus in small woreship place in his house. In India, it is considered unprofessional
to ask about religious faiths of your professional co-workers.
But being a brahmin, I couldn't stop myself from asking about his religion. He told he is a hindu with plain face. Why have
you kept Jesus and Kaba photo in your woreship place then ? my next natural question was. This time his reactions were
somewhat strange. After looking at me from head to toe, He laughed and explained: Some people came and gave me photo of
Jesus (alongwith money) and told how nice that person was. So, I kept it in my home temple and started worshipping him
daily.
Aother day, some people came with photo of Kaba and said this is place of their God (this time also gave money). So, he
also kept it in his place of worship and started worshipping as usual.
Later, those people came back and started telling him to throw away the photos of other Gods or return the money he got
from them. I kicked all of them out of my house. They gave me money to woreship their Gods thats what I am doing. Then, why
should I return the money ? And Our elders (Buddhe) has taught us, in Hinduism, there is no harm in worshipping any great
person and following his good deeds. I couldn't say or ask anything more.
Even today after so many years passed of this incident. I, an educated brahmin, still sometimes compare my knowledge about religion and hinduism, with that of an semi-litrate labourer. And I don't want to accept it, I find him better.
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adeel
Jul 28, 2012 08:34pm
sister i completely agree with... dnt let hypocrites deter u...The light of Allah cannot be stopped. Allah guides those who He wills. well those who say be careful this that why dont u pick up a copy of Quran and read it and understand it and inquire more about islam? watch youtube debates or discussions.... than ask urself a question.... what is ur purpose can there be more than one God? jazakAllah khair
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Antion
Jul 28, 2012 08:39pm
Freedom of choice; is it not what we want in Pakistan. Show tolerance and swallow.
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Antion
Jul 28, 2012 08:53pm
By opening the comment board for a hateful event, the DAWN has done nothing but infuse more hate. All I see here are counter-productive, inflammatory posts; leaving it to introspection and reflection would have been a much better way to go. How is your reporting any better than Maya's TV stint?
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Pradip
Jul 28, 2012 08:53pm
and you Lateef, are not funny - so fing convinced that only yours is the best....may as well move to Saudi and enjoy the guest treatment reserved for a Pak!!
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Shah Deeldar
Jul 28, 2012 09:05pm
Pretty disgusting! Only God knows where Pakistan is heading?
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Pradip
Jul 28, 2012 09:09pm
Give me a break!
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Pradip
Jul 28, 2012 09:19pm
Lateef, it is high time, you took up the sword and get on a "high horse" - to defend your faith in Saudi moving from the armpit of the US
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Anjan
Jul 28, 2012 09:27pm
Just a correction : Dr. Zakir Hussain (3rd), Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (5th) & Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam (11th) were our Presidents (out of 13 Presidents after Independence). In addition, Mohammad Hidayatullah was acting Pressident (3rd) for couple of months.
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Gohar Ayub Sharjah
Jul 28, 2012 09:42pm
Yes we warmly appreciate the oldest news paper The Dawn to accommodate the view points of every one on this burning issue.whats wrong if someone embraces ISLAM.No body has forced a young boy to accept Islam because its a special blessing of Almighty Allah on chosen people.The most respected uncle of Holy prophet Hazrat Abu Talib dint accept Islam till the day of death.Holy Prophet did his level best to convince him but he refused to be a Muslim.so this example is enough to understand that we cant force anyone to covert until he or she himself not convinced.there are many Muslims who converted Christians with their own will. Pakistan respects minorities.they are given equal rights of votes and representation in assemblies.Iam not agreed that minorities are not treated equally in Pakistan. Maya khan dint force the boy to come on t.v. show.she dint criticize any religion except appreciating the boy which is quite natural
.
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onkar Sharma
Jul 28, 2012 09:57pm
This was not the Pakistan Qaid-e-Azam Jinnah dreamt of. He wanted a secular Pakistan where religion is a personal matter. If he was alive today, he would have regretted what he created.
The show reflects a very bad taste of Pakistani society.
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owais
Jul 28, 2012 10:00pm
What do you mean IF? You don't know about the forced conversions extremist Hindus do of Christians to Hinduism in India? What is such a big deal if such a conversion was shown live on air.
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owais
Jul 28, 2012 10:04pm
But Mukherjee do you have anything to say about the forced conversions of Chirstians to Hinduism in India on a regular basis?
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pacifist
Jul 29, 2012 02:14pm
Most popular Hindu philosophies are monistic/panentheistic i.e. god is not a countable entity, it resides in all of us , existence of the mundane world is more a 'characteristic' of god rather than 'creation'. Some interpretations of Vedas are polytheist and even atheist. Even if someone does't believe in one god, why does it matter? It's his personal faith and makes him no greater or lesser than you.
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slw3
Jul 28, 2012 11:18pm
Maya Khan should be boycotted by decent people so that her ratings plunge and she ends up doing her "dramay baazi" in places more congenial to low life behavior than mainstream TV.
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Selena
Jul 28, 2012 04:19pm
Actually, if you were familiar with the Hindu religion, you would know that there is no upper limit to the number wives a Hindu man can wed.
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kimi
Jul 28, 2012 11:27pm
i believe theres nothing wrong in wht happened.. For ppl questioning, I have seen numerous programmes of different religions showing live conversions on TV. most of the ppl who commented here are hindus or indians who dont comment on pro pakistani news but have commented on this antiislamic kind of piece. wht is wrong in a guy choosing to convert his religion on live tv?? the same has happened on dr zakir naiks live talk shows but as hes an indian so we wont point fingers on him. comeon pakistanis..
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Muhammad shahzad
Jul 29, 2012 05:32am
i think this trend is no tgood to become a muslim on tv show if this guy want to convert himself to islam then he must go imam majsad to his city and chagne their relgion
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Muhammad Saim
Jul 29, 2012 05:46am
The issue is not converting from Hinduism to Islam. A person has every right to convert on his/her own free will. The issue is the way this episode was handled. What was the use of showing this on the media. Religion is a personal matter and thus there was no need to make a tamasha out of it by showing this conversion. This tactic must have definitely hurt the hindus of Pakistan who are currently bearing the brunt of kidnapping for ransom and forced conversion of their females in interiors. Would you or any of us Muslim like a TV show showing a Muslim being converted to any other religion? wouldn't we get hurt by seeing this on TV? If we cant tolerate this then we should also be tolerant towards others.
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Muhammad saim
Jul 29, 2012 06:04am
Mr Love, you are misinterpretating Islam. Islam did not come 1400 years ago. If you would hv read Islamic history then you would hv known that Allah sent 124000 messengers in this world to spread the message of Islam in every times and to every community however their teachings were forgotten or corrupted by their followers after the demise of these messengers. The first messenger of Allah was Adam and other messengers include Issa (Jesus Christ), Musa (Moses), Ibrahim (Abraham), Yaqoob (Jacob), Yusuf (Joseph), Ishaq (Issac) to name a few. Hence Prophet Muhammad PBUH was not the first one to intoduce Islam infact he was the last messenger to be sent from Allah. As for your question of whether ppl before Prophet Muhammad PBUH would go to he then the answer is that those people who followed the religion exactly the way practiced and preached by earlier messengers without corrupting it will go to heaven. Finally, as per your phrase "After all how ISLAM has spread everyone knows that...History needs no proof" is again not true. as against a common misinterpretation that islam speard through swords and forced conversions, Islam spread through the efforts of muslim scholars (popularly known as Sufis).I am not denying the fact that many times so called muslim rulers used force to convert ppl but that was not always the case. had the Mulsim rulers been so tyrant then entire India would have been converted to Islam as all the hindus and other non muslims would have been killed by the Mughals, Sher Shah suri etc. Islamic civilsations like the Ummayad and Abbasi caliphate and ottoman empire during their peaks were far advance then the European societies and much more tolerant then eurpoe. It is a known fact that many jews and other minorities fled eurpoe and got settled in ottoman empire to flee persecution in the hands of christians and they were treated well by ottomans. People like Al beruni, Ibn e sina have been responsible for many of the inventions and researches in medicine, science, maths etc which became the base for work for european scinetics post renaissance period.
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Interesting
Jul 30, 2012 02:09am
Growing up in India, I had no problems eating meat, publicly or otherwise. Chicken, goat, lamb, even pork. I've seen plenty of cows being slaughtered in India during Id, no problem.
Just consider popular culture and sport...our most popular actors in Bollywood in the 90s were Muslim, we have had two very popular cricket captains who are Muslim. Can anything similar even be considered in Pakistan. Even a talented Christian like Yousuf Youhana had to convert to be eligible for captaincy. No minorities gain popularity and prominence in Pak culture simply because of religion, not because of talent. Whether you believe India is secular or not (personally, I do have doubts...Muslims are pandered to by politicians too much in India), the opportunities provided to minorities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain) to succeed in life far exceeds what is available to minorities in Pak. You even deny your only Nobel laureate since he is Ahmadiya, not "Muslim".
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Bhairav Khan Mia
Jul 30, 2012 02:31am
let hindu priests start converting muslims into hindus in Hindustan. Let us see how the music goes within India and Pakistan...of course by willing muslims not perpetrated by force.
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kjumani
Jul 30, 2012 02:41am
In the name of Islam we are murdering our own-- this fool does not realize he now has become part of most violent majoriy
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Sohaib YAHIA
Jul 30, 2012 10:32am
Hypocrisy at its worst!
When, for God's sake, we would learn to live and let others live the way they choose for themselves. The mullah brigade has no business in minding the faith of anyone. Instead, they would do entire world a favor by putting all their efforts, time and energy in condemning and resisting the deeds of their community fellows who are busy in mass killing of innocent people in the name of jihad.
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Jim
Jul 30, 2012 03:37am
I think the incident was harrowing and agree with most of the commentators here but this person is just exploiting the outrage to push his agenda. Would you allow someone to openly wish for the "demise" of someone? Then why do these prophets of dooms and/or trolls are given a pulpit a spew their vitriol?
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World being
Jul 30, 2012 05:43am
Just look at your hipocracy. You say " he would know that why a person would never think of becoming a Budhist if he/she knows about Islam".
Just what do you know about other religions. How do you think your religion is the best? Who gove you this authority? Just look at your attitude!
This is just what is fueling an aversion worldwide regarding muslims (please note that I am not saying Islam)
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Syed Ali
Jul 30, 2012 06:08am
My dear friend, you are missing an important aspect...the question is not the conversions...conversions take place all over the world..all the time!! It is the media circus of the hypocrite mullahs in Pakistan that should be condemned. Well you and I know, how forced conversions go on in India...which is and should be a punishable crime..no matter when and where it happens. But if a person wants to convert of his/her free will, there should be no hue & cry by any one. I hope you get my point.
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taranveer singh
Jul 30, 2012 06:17pm
in madurai india a 21 year old muslim girl married a hindu boy and got converted to Hinduism. now girls parents , relatives. muslim organizations are threatening boy and girl to kill them, why they not saying congratulations to newly married couple. does any hindu outfit or family member threatened this boy or mullah to kill. how muslims are behaving that they wil go against law and forcefully want to threat and kill majority religion boy and that girl. they want secular india if boy was muslim and girl hindu. and forcefully stop when opposite.
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HTirmizi
Jul 30, 2012 06:31pm
How does one become Shia?
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Hindu Indian
Jul 30, 2012 07:04pm
There is a TV preacher in India called Dr Zakir Naik who does these kind of Hindu to Muslim conversions regularly. I have no problem with that since any Hindu converting to Islam in India is likely doing it out of conviction and unlikely because he is feeling pressurized to do so. But in Pakistan, with minority-majority roles reversed, I feel celebrating the conversion of a minority religion (hindu) to the majority religion (islam) is unseemly since it can be due to implicit majority pressure. I would feel the same way if there was a big televised tamasha of a minority Muslim converting to majority Hinduism in India.
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uthmanmalik
Jul 30, 2012 07:59pm
watch the show in question instead of reacting to the sound bites!
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Nishan Antaal
Jul 30, 2012 08:38pm
U guys will never change. Same old misconception. be realistic & scientific. Follow Philosophy of Guru Nanak and Sikhism.
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Elaine
Jul 30, 2012 09:29pm
...according to the Qur'an Adam was the First Muslim.
Ha,ha ha to you too.
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Rossa
Jul 30, 2012 09:30pm
Well said. Good respone.
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Guase
Jul 30, 2012 09:36pm
That is their propaganda for the world. The truth will come out, eventually.
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Elaine
Jul 30, 2012 09:59pm
Have you considered the absurd logic embedded in your statement? Obviously not.
Please appreciate that Muslims, unlike Hindus, are not circumscribed by geography, race, ethnic origin, skin color, or Caste. Saudi or Paki is irrelevant in Islam. The World is NOT restricted to Muslims as it is to Hindus.
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Paige
Jul 30, 2012 10:04pm
That is a rhetorical statement. If you but knew.
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Elaine
Jul 30, 2012 10:24pm
I have studied major religions and agree with Lateef. It is as impossible for a Muslim to convert to another religion as it is for a PhD to revert back to Kindergarten. Knowledge and enlightenment can replace ignorance, but once gained, the converse is not possible.
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Shafana
Jul 30, 2012 10:30pm
Have you not noticed the part played by the author and publisher in this drama? How is it any different from Maya and Tv personell?
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Seerat
Jul 30, 2012 10:33pm
"Muslim girls in India forced to marry Hindu men..."
It is called rape. A Muslim girl cannot marry a Hindu.
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Yasmin
Jul 30, 2012 10:39pm
Uncalled for provocative staterment. Shame.
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Elaine
Jul 30, 2012 10:44pm
@Lateef: Very rationally put. The gauntlet and challenge is indeed intelligent and brave. Converting Muslims to Hinduism cannot be done. It is not possible for ignorance to replace Knowledge.
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John B.
Jul 30, 2012 10:49pm
A Hindu is born in to a Caste, can not change it, must live in it till reincarnation. No on can convert into it. That would be obvious to you if indeed you were a Hindu in the know of your own religion.
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Nathanial
Jul 30, 2012 10:58pm
Hindus come here to publish their arrogance and superiority of their religion but end up by demonstrating their ignorance and its cultist inferiority. The lower classes are converting to Christianity in hordes to escape their Caste System and for financial gain/foreign visas, and into Islam to find Truth and humanity.
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Natasha Wisal
Jul 30, 2012 11:05pm
You are coming on awful strong and out of context. You protest too much. Truth is not easy to digest for those brought up on lies.
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Alicia
Jul 30, 2012 11:19pm
You have no idea how much of a break you get. You say what you will but Dawn deletes any responses to your inane irresponsible comments. Come out not so conceited and proud, just be grateful for the protection and breaks you get: Thanks to Dawn.
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Sara
Jul 30, 2012 11:35pm
Shame on them indeed. They sure have you snared and watching by "hook or crook".
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El Cid
Jul 30, 2012 11:52pm
They are NOT "lesser-folk": Bernard Shaw was subtly implying that the Christian had reverted back to his Pagan origins: Christianity was indeed structured on Pagan Cults.
Fundamentals of Christianity are essentially derived from from Egyptian Trinity, similar to Babylonian and Hindu Trinity...as taught by The Pauline Church.
Noble Jesus was a practicing Jew. The Christ part was a much later addition voted/elected/invented by the Church.
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Adie
Jul 30, 2012 11:57pm
With an additional 52 voting their kind!
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Sehar
Jul 31, 2012 12:30am
@Lateef:You are indeed brave, consistent, and resolute. Admirable.
Stand strong and tall. As all Muslims should against this orchestrated Hindu onslaught of deceit, lies, and dishonorable vulgar language which is in their creed.
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Sehar
Jul 31, 2012 12:35am
Blah, blah, blah...Hate monger.
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Neo
Jul 31, 2012 06:13am
you have your own little world of india it seems :D "one has to hide to eat chicken or goat"... that was hilarious,... that was the best one i heard from a long time.... hahahaha.. shows how much you know about india and the secular world we are living in.. go get a life or a american visa i guess.. although hide your pakistani identity or else it will be rejected ;) you can try INDIAN though :D
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Neo
Jul 31, 2012 06:04am
i can count those on my fingers and no one pays heed to them.
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Neo
Jul 31, 2012 06:42am
well said Ali, Rameez & Abcd.. Usman can't understand the essence of this blog and following debate.. its out of his limited wisdom to take it.
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Muneeza
Aug 01, 2012 05:01pm
@Shams: Brother your knowledge of their political system exposes ther lies and puts a dent into their propaganda machine. Well done. Congrats!
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Roohi
Aug 01, 2012 07:26pm
A Muslim man cannot marry a Hindu girl, prohibited in the Qur'an. Equally: A Muslim girl's marriage to a non-believer is void at inception.
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Cathy
Aug 01, 2012 07:32pm
Absolutely. Very well said. The article is in conflict with its own argument and bereft of foundation and fact.
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Cathy
Aug 01, 2012 09:23pm
Trolling...eh!
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Cathy
Aug 01, 2012 10:56pm
The 99 Names of Allah are attributes, as described in the Qur'an. The Hindu gods are all belived to be real by Hindus and are shaped in the lieness of their Avatars/Idols which they enter for 'puja-pat' by Hindus.
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Ratii
Aug 01, 2012 10:58pm
Rubbish. You don't know what you are talking about.
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Brhamaa
Aug 04, 2012 02:50am
Oh my. Me bad. I though Hindus were.
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Wisal A.
Aug 04, 2012 03:01am
" Pakistan ka matlab kya , la ilaaha ilallah"
Translation: What is the meaning of Pakistam, There is NO God but ALLAH.
You have a problem with that, that is why we keep you on the other side of the border. Stay there, and out of our publications, you are not waned or liked here. You abuse our hospitality. Go away. Thank you.
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