Sikhs Protest U.N.’s Inaction Regarding Forced Conversions In Pakistan

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There are those who are adamant that there are absolutely no forced conversions to Islam because it quite clearly states in the Quran that there is no compulsion in religion. I have had many debates about this issue, even though it happens all the time, Quran 2:256 or not. Maybe they’re in denial, but I have read many news articles about forced conversions, and people being killed and injured for refusing to convert to Islam. I’ve even written about many of those incidents; in fact, the Christian man I wrote about (whose wife was raped) and he was severely burned for refusing to convert to Islam just died. But in spite of the increasing instances of forced, or attempted forced conversions, they still refuse to admit that it happens. And the fact that it happens and nothing is done about it is of major concern to many, including Sikhs in Pakistan, who continue to be persecuted along with the Hindu and Christian minorities.

Sikhs held protests, against United Nations’ inaction to stop continued forced conversion of minorities to Islam and grave abuse of human rights of minorities and women in Pakistan, to coincide with International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination, at Patiala near Dukhniwaran and Singh Sabha Gurudwaras, Monday.

Dr. Manjit Singh Randhawa, President of Sikh Nation Organisation, said that Sikhs appealed to the international community to prevail upon Pakistan to repeal the ‘Nizam-e-Adl 2009 Regulation’ that has “legitimized and legalized tyranny” by ‘Taliban’, in complete disregard to its international commitments under various UN Conventions, to safeguard Human Rights of its citizens within international borders of Pakistan.

He maintained that without repealing the Regulation it was impossible to save lives, property and Shrines of Minority Sikh and Hindu Communities in Swat Valley and North West Frontier Province in Pakistan that has been placed under ‘Taliban Rule’ by repealing all Pak Laws to maintain law and order.

I’m not sure why they even bother with the U.N. since they never seem to accomplish anything of value, but I can well understand the Sikhs’ (and other minorities) anger and frustration. Just as religious minorities are allowed to worship freely in non-Muslim dominated nations, so should they be allowed to in Muslim-dominated countries. The Sikhs feel that

The Regulation has taken away Human Rights of Women and female Children, whose freedom of conscience has been put to unreasonable restrictions and are subjected to honour killings, whipping, torture, degrading treatment and punishment in Swat Valley and adjoining province, in a country signatory to U.N. Conventions on Human Rights, he added.

Sikhs also appealed the international community to support their demand for ‘Vatican’ like status to ‘Nanakana’ Sahib along with eighteen thousand acres property of the shrine, to develop a “fear free abode for humanity”, without which “personal freedom” and “dignified survival” of Sikhs, Hindus, Christian and other Minority Communities seemed impossible.

They shamed United Nations Human Rights system for its “observed silence” on systematic and undeterred persecution of minorities that stood reduced to negligible level in Pakistan, as a result of “forced conversions, killings and migration” in the Islamic country that is signatory to various U.N. Conventions on Human and Minority Rights and Conservation of diverse Cultural and Religious World Heritage of Humanity.

Everyone should have the right to worship as they please, without the fear of being persecuted or forced to convert, or forced to emigrate, or, worse yet, tortured and killed for not converting. It’s good the Sikhs are out there protesting for their rights, but I’m afraid it’s more than likely a futile attempt to get the United Nations to take action. The U.N. is never going to do anything about it, and even if they did, they would never enforce any sanctions or mandates. They never have in the past.

But I’d like to challenge any Muslim to explain why if the Quran says there is no compulsion in Islam, there continue to be forced conversions all over the place.

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