he routine ranging from threats to persuasion and from glorifying the paradise to the wrath of God for non-believers only made me wonder: Do we not all pray to the same God — a God who is manifested in nature, colours, happiness and love? Why would he punish me for being a Hindu? Somewhere along this relentless persuasion, came that horrifying threat of harming my family – I gave in. My approval followed a small ceremony in which I was forced to embrace Islam and later married off to the man who will always be remembered as the ‘messiah’ who for saved me from the unknown territory of sin and infidelity I was treading on. After the ceremony, instead of receiving blessings for a happy and prosperous life ahead, I was immediately escorted to a local court where a Muslim magistrate declared my conversion and marriage in accordance with the law. The news of my conversion and marriage to a Muslim man spread like wildfire. I dreaded the moment of meeting my parents. I never wanted to see pain and agony on their faces let alone be the reason for all their grief. Sure enough, one look at my mother made me yearn for my own death. I wanted to tell her that I love her and that her safety was all I had in mind when I converted. I wanted to tell my father to keep my sisters safe. I wanted to tell my brothers to leave the country whilst they still could. I wanted to say much more but their silent pain and suffering made me wish if only I wasn’t born a girl, if only I wasn’t born in Pakistan, if only I had the right to be myself and practise my faith without being herded into a religion that I failed to comprehend, if only I could make them all understand that there is just one God for all, if only I could give us all an identity that we rightly deserve. Looking at all the faces that once seemed familiar; I wondered: who am I? I am one but share the pain of many. I am Rachna Kumari, Rinkle Kumari, Manisha Kumari and the many more Hindu girls who will be forced to convert in Pakistan. I am the fear of their families and the agony that they undergo. I am the misery of those girls who die a little every day for the injustices done to them. I am a minority living in an intolerant society. The writer is a Reporter at Dawn Share 1211 Comment(s) Print RELATED STORIES In search of the Victoria Museum – Part II The Iran-Pakistan pipeline: Finding the win-win for Pakistan In search of the Victoria Museum MORE FROM THIS SECTION In search of the Victoria Museum – Part II From museum to the central bank of a newly founded country to the highest judicial center, the building demands respect. The Iran-Pakistan pipeline: Finding the win-win for Pakistan In this conundrum lies a tremendous diplomatic opportunity. In search of the Victoria Museum Not only did anybody know its location, all of them were confidently denying that such a place even existed in Karachi. Guns and Roses “Listen, you naïve young man, it is precisely because I am an honest, law abiding citizen that I need to arm myself!” MOST POPULAR 24 Hours 72 Hours Commented 1 Is Pakistan suffering from observer effect? 2 The 1974 ouster of the ‘heretics’: What really happened? 3 Dollars do not grow on trees: Deaths, murders and suicides 4 Iqbal’s love: Iqbal’s life 5 Movie Review: Ram-Leela 6 Movie Review: Thor: The Dark World 7 Malala: The real story (with evidence) 8 Shia-Sunni schism: A challenge to world peace Comments are closed. Comments (1211) dsreddy85 September 2, 2012 7:42 am Thanks to the Reporter for being so openminded to bring this story.. Thanks to the DAWN for posting this... Civilisation is that Giving reverence to the Life. If someone doesnt care for the life, that to of a human, then its not civilisation at all. This is a horrible story to hear or know about. Prayers for all those hindus in pakistan & Bangladesh who are either forced to convert or victims of love Jihad (loving the hindu girls and marrying them to take their property while converting them). 9 1 Aditya September 2, 2012 3:31 am Hi All, our dear sister Fazia has been featured in Ibnlive program called Nobodys Countrymen 9 1 Truth August 28, 2012 3:48 am What a heartless monster you are, Mr Aly. To make fun of someone oppressed and violated. May be you will understand when the same fate befalls you and yours. May Justice be done, Amen! Or should I say, Insha Allah!! 3 1 Syed Jafar August 28, 2012 3:46 am OK My Bhavin. I was not implying that there are any atrocities happening. The point was that even if there was such a thing, it should be not be used as a reason to harm any Hindu in Pakistan. That will not help or do any good. We are all human beings and Pakistanis, and should learn to live together with peace. Poor leadership can cause a lot of harm by misguiding ppl and only masses end up paying the price. Its time for all of us to wake up and see the big picture. Together we can become stronger and focus on important and bigger things. 2 4 chandra August 27, 2012 4:45 pm heart wrenching story. please migrate to any other country as soon as you can. I do not know what is left for any hindus to be staying there. 4 2 reshma August 27, 2012 12:55 pm raju a person who points others is a biggest nuisance no Sane Indian will hate Pakistani they r genuine good people if u ever came across one. i am also born and brought up in India 3 4 Maqboolfida (@Maqboolfida) August 27, 2012 10:00 am As always there are dumbos everywhere...religion is for people, people are not for religion...if you want to follow religion fine your perogative...but dont improse it on others and dont go killing or converting people just because your religion says so!! The guy is not against religion, just that religion does not rule him...he can be a devout hindu without worrying about others being like him or not!! Do you get it? 2 0 Maqboolfida (@Maqboolfida) August 27, 2012 9:57 am Correct..it is the law of karma..nothing to do with religion but justice...and no one can escape it!! 4 2 Bhavin August 27, 2012 9:56 am Mr. Syed Muslims live peacefully in India, there are no atrocities happening on them, forget conversions. its completely wrong when you say We should not be justifying any of this just because what happens in India with muslims 6 1 ariel August 27, 2012 6:52 am The Uzairs of the Islamic world are only expected to comment in this fashion. What this article has brought to the fore is the states acquiescence or even connivance in these conversions. Paks radical society continues to behave in an inhuman and ghastly manner. It is time that the international community intervenes in Pak. 6 3 Bhavna August 27, 2012 6:50 am Mr. Uzair, for your information no one can be made hindu by conversion. A person is hindu by birth only. Anyways, best wishes for you and god bless u. 9 0 Ravi August 27, 2012 5:40 am joke of the century ..!! 10 2 Partha August 27, 2012 3:41 am Religious intolerance is at high everywhere, just the form and intensity differs. Not sure exactly why we love to hate others so much when the basic quality as a human being that we have is love. Although its a story in Pakisthan, but I am sure that same story is getting replicated in nooks and corners across Bangladesh, India. Hatred among Hindus and Muslims are so high that its coming out in its dreaded form everywhere. I myself have grown up with Muslim friends, we used to have everything togather, including lunch. At days when they used to bring beef, they will excuse themselves from sharing saying they have brought beef and will not share. Isnt that nice. Why cant we live like the way we used to when we were kids ? 5 2 Mridul August 27, 2012 1:18 am wow! you have no clue about india, do you? pathetic.... 0 1 Mate August 26, 2012 8:24 pm I dont know whose story is the writer narrating. this happens in all poor communities. abductions happen in US as well. although not at the same scale due to good Crime control Which is the actual issue. I have worked along side hindus in Pakistan in tchnology sector and they seemed well settled. Some how this issue has become an issue. 30 years back, childrn from Muslim families from remote villages were abducted and transported to MiddleEast for camel races. The issue was raised in pakistani drama Dasht. It happens in very remote villages and not just to Hindus. I am sure there is some truth to th story but its not like every hindu girl is at threat of being kidnapped and to be a forced muslim. (forced marriages and convrsion hav no basis in Islam btw, Only illitrate ppl follow that. ) The author and the media is dramatizing this issue these past weeks a lot to hide other news where innocent ppl are actually Killed in a slow ethnic cleansing/genocide. Whatever the reason may be, Pakistanis are generally tolerant people, I have worked with hindus where they were promoted to senior positions and seemed quite happy. I didnt see them migrating to US/Canada. It is just some 10% ppl who are dstroying the peace. You come to pakistan and see how many ppl watch indian sitcoms and such. Nverthless this issu should b addressed as any other issue, even if it only happens in a singl remote village. I am sure educated hindus are a bit safer in cities. Crime is a crime. @Ankit : At least we dont have the Gujrat Massacre on our records. Should I call Hindus of India Intolerant ppl as well. Even if you take the story as real, The person abducting th girl is Himself a Hindu guard of the temples. Hindus in previous (actual news) articles have complained against a Hindu leader who did this and usurped the funds. Not a Muslim. the Author btw is a muslim of the intolerant Majority as well. @Author: An article on the plight of hindus is good with actual facts and figures. This (forced marriages) happens to Muslim Girls all over Pakistan (Watta Satta???) which is also wrong. Yes we are becoming intolerant (not by actions but by our silence) but your article demonizes our already tarnished reputation, which was also the fruits of your labours. Why dont our educated journalists never find a good article. Do you journalists never see anything good in Pakistan. Oh yes !! But then it wont be that sensational and its easier to criticise anyways, Right??? 7 8 David M August 26, 2012 8:21 pm Speak for yourself, Mr. Congeniality! From: An Indian Christian. 2 2 David M August 26, 2012 8:12 pm You are against religion yet call yourself a Hindu. Is that hypocrisy or just plain mumbo-jumbo? 2 4 manish August 26, 2012 5:52 pm @ tej: firstly, i beg your pardon for responding so late. but, then tej, what is the fetish with respecting god. why is it that we cant just go about living our life, helping others, and i think that would be sufficient respect to god itself. again, if our riding car, and boarding bus, disrespects god, then we can overcome it by planting more trees, ensuring afforestation. besides, the difficulty that distancing of god from ourselves creates, is at the front. cant you see, the intolerance pervading our daily life. do you really think when everyone, is getting killed for no reason, a real god would stilll have the indifference to sit coolly seeing us suffering here. also, i know the meaning of abhramnic , if you can specifically point out to me, where i have fumbled, i would be glad. 0 0 BITTOO August 26, 2012 4:12 pm THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF PAKISTAN TO FALL APART.GET SOME INSIGHT FROM HASSAN NISAR, NAJAM SETHI, MARVI ETC AND U SHALL PROGRESS. THE MUSLIMS AROUND THE WORLD AND IN PAKISTAN ARE GETTING THE SAME TREATMENT THAT THEY HAVE DONE TO NON MUSLIMS OVER THE DECADES AND CENTURIES. 8 4 sanjay August 26, 2012 4:01 pm Fazia now i realise pen or writing has no boundry.Please keep doing the good thing.God bless you. 5 1 Syed Jafar August 26, 2012 3:49 pm Very well said... 3 0 uzair August 26, 2012 1:44 pm and i pray to God to save muslims and christians in India as well.........from being converting to hinduism or from being burn alive or from being rape of girls and women in India situation is much better in Pakistan rather than India... 2 17 raju August 26, 2012 12:26 pm abdullah,this hatred is nothing new. We Indians hate all pakis. You are nuisance people,terrorists. 11 3 raju August 26, 2012 12:25 pm Indian hindus would be delighted if all the muslims from India migrate to pakistan. I can bet my last dollar,no sane indian muslim will agree to that. 16 1 mir aftab August 26, 2012 11:21 am A wondorous article a clear depiction that shows abuse in the name of religion and violation of basic human rights. Our guardians of constitution should realize that not taking action tantamounts to bringing disgrace to the nation of Pakistan which is already touching its lowest ebb. Ours is a country where the main constituent institutions are held hostage by fanatics and unless they are stricken down by constitution and implementors, we will not have enough good precedents to ensure our progress as a society. 9 1 SK August 26, 2012 10:17 am First the author of this article surprised me and now you with your comments. I truly see a light and hope that there is still a hope for humanity. 1 0 alien brahmin August 26, 2012 9:38 am its wrong , at the wrong time at the place !! she should not have used a public forum or site to speak truth of pakistani society . but i am eger to read her article on the killings of shias , ahamedias and minorities in pakistan . inshallah ! 2 3 Kumar August 26, 2012 9:28 am Abdullah Khan Karachi, Pakistan Mr Naeem Jinnah didnt tel u to run away when ur country is in such kind of crisis...stop enjoying ur life in Manhattan come back to Pakistan and then comment on us..... 0 5 Kumar August 26, 2012 9:24 am CNN breaking news......a pakistani writer of DAWN........rose to fame in INDIA within a few hours by speaking up for the HINDUS of PAKISTAN....lol .....short cut to fame......;-) 2 5 Abdullah August 26, 2012 9:05 am Faiza Mirza Congrats.....u did a great job by inciting a indian pakistani hate debate.....Congrats....lol.....wat a P........tic article...loll 3 13 SK August 26, 2012 9:02 am Ms Faiza Mirza, Im a Hindu living in US. In US I live with people of all nationality and faiths, which made me think and very curious about worlds different religions. I spent some time to understand about it and start going to Church to understand Chrichanity. Since Im from India and had several Muslim friends I can say probably I know Islam second to my own religions. After spending time to understand verious religions and visiting several famous churches and countries including Isreal, during my quest to know about religion and GOD, I read and heard Chritopher Hitchens and a big fan of Stephans Hawkins. I come to one conclusion that most of the so called religious people and organized religions pollutes ones mind. There is no truth in it as long as one uses his common sense and does not hurts another human or lives he will get salvation and if there is a GOD, HE will be pleased. This article tells me that you are above religion and a true human being. You are a voice of unheards and you are an example who believes in freedom of thought, justice and equality. THIS WORLD NEEDS FULL OF FAIZA MIRZA TO MAKE IT BEAUTUFUL. PLS KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK AND USE THE POWER OF YOUR PEN TO BE A VOICE OF A SUFFERER IRRESPECTIVE OF RELIGION OR RACE. IF YOU VISIT TO US AND HAVE TIME PLS SEND A MAIL TO ME. I WOULD LIKE TO MEET YOU IN PERSON TO SAY THANK YOU. 6 1 Abdullah August 26, 2012 8:56 am State Sponsored Human Right Abuses In INDIA......... There are numerous reports that the government and its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings of suspected criminals and insurgents, especially in areas of conflict such as Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeastern States, and the Naxalite belt. According to the Institute for Conflict Management, as of October 17, there were 1,616 fatalities in the country--which included individuals classified by the government as terrorists, and civilians 1 2 Abdullah August 26, 2012 8:49 am Mr jagdish..i know wat ur BJP n Shiv Sena does..........MURDERERS of Muslims in india 2 4 Abdullah August 26, 2012 8:46 am Mr Rajesh.......clean ur own house first instead of trying to score a point about ours society....so u got a tolerant sciety in india!!!!!!......thats a news....lol.... 1 1 alien brahmin August 26, 2012 8:45 am its 100000 ( add more zeros to your convenience ) not 10000 muslims who got killed in gujrat . but you know who started it by burning karsevaks alive ? why you think only muslims has right to react and others should peacefully support and watch crimes committed by muslims ? its strange to see muslim started believing that there is no problem when muslims kills muslims and they will react violently only when non muslims kills a muslim . why dont you people react in the same manner when muslims are being killed by muslims be it in syria , iran and iraq or in pakistan where they have made it legal to kill shia and ahamediya muslims ? 4 0 AM August 26, 2012 8:37 am What about lakhs of kashmiri pandits who have been displaced from their homeland by muslims? I know of some whose relatives were raped and killed. What about the inccessant infiltratation of illegal bangladeshi muslims? What about the innumerable terrorist attacks on the Indian soil in the name of jehad? I wish they truly knew the meaning of jehad. Saifi, if you feel unsafe in India, you are most welcome to leave and settle either in UAE/Middle East or Pakistan. You will come to know the difference. Fundamentalism has driven muslims to conduct such henious crimes. 2 0 Gaurav August 26, 2012 7:24 am thousands?? really? You are not a big fan of reading, right? Govt. jobs are reserved for Hindus? Sorry but they are reserved for the historically backwards and downtrodden, irrespective of their religion. Getting a job or education is as tough for a Muslim as an upper caste Hindu. So, please dont post random facts and comments. And Muslims do get to good colleges and jobs. My college is one of the best in the country and I have many Muslim friends studying in my batch. And its not like they are super rich or something. People like you dont or probably cant work hard enough for a good life and so spend your time abusing the majority and the government. 0 0 Aly August 26, 2012 6:58 am Wonderful we now have our own Pakistani version of Dairies of Annie Frank, well i cant wait to see it turning into another blockbuster movie, depicting the plight or should i say genocide of the Hindus in Pakistan, or should i use the word holocaust, Well done Miss mirza, but must watch out for a plagiarist who might rip off your original peace of imagination and turn it into a blockbuster hollywood / bollywood screen play, in that case i guess royalties should go to you as you are the first person to come with that story, well didnt we need that heroic story to break, kudos for championing rights, at the right time at the right place 1 5 Ankit August 26, 2012 6:46 am Hats off to author for her audacious article portraying the true face of Pakistani majority society towards the weaker minority. I am thankful to you - FAIZA MIRZA. it is so painful at heart to know such a situation of HIndu society in Pakistan. I pray to my God to save all the HIndus in Pakistan. 3 1 Syed Jafar August 26, 2012 1:21 am Honestly - we are all humans. One bad should not lead to another. Very sorry to hear Faizas story. We should not be justifying any of this just because what happens in India with muslims or in any country. We should be above this and see how we can participate to fix things and do the right thing. This whole pointing fingers and justifying bad actions leads to chaos and nothing gets resolved. Lets all of us become better human beings and live respectfully with harmony and tolerance. 3 2 naeem khan Manhattan,Ks August 26, 2012 1:19 am It is a heart wrenching article, I wonder why we have come to this stage,where intolerance is so prevalent in our society any more.It all started right from the inception of Pakistan, somehow the leadership could not rule the country without whipping one community or the other. I wonder if Mr. Jinnah is rolling in his grave to see his beloved country tuned into a nightmare. 11 0 Truth August 25, 2012 8:54 pm My comment is not about Islam or Hinduism or Christianity or even Atheism. Why the heck does one have to believe/not beleive in God ?. Why dont humans just mind about themselves and dont bother about what others believe in ? After all it is belief system (which means it is not a fact based ! and hence no concept of right or wrong). So, why not TREAT IT SO !. Do you guys fight over what you believe in as far as aliens are concerned ? These belief systems dont have to be shoved on people throats and they should be banned from human society !. 0 0 Vishnu August 25, 2012 8:04 pm Half baked ideas and half of an interest that is weaning in nature always comes from your end Mr. Abdullah. Why do you wage conflicts when you cannot resolve them and when you know you will always be at a loss in their regard... :) 0 0 Thomas kalappura August 25, 2012 5:20 pm One should have freedom to choose his way of life including religion. How can one force another to convert / You can go on praising your religion and god, but have tolerance to others by allowing them to practice what they believe. Who has authority on God and his teachings. The authority should be ones own mind and conscience. But islamists do not agree, as they believe in numbers without realising that the forced ones are not at vall believers but fakes just to escape torchure Thomas kalappura 0 0 Kaly August 25, 2012 4:55 pm After a thought, I came to the conclusion that the root cause of all the problem is invasion of Arabic people to India, before that all India, including Pakistan & BD were full of Hindus only. Then some people got converted for different reason, then Hindu-Muslim conflict, then creation of Pakistan and so on.... Am I right? 1 1 tears August 25, 2012 3:50 pm though i cant imagine the misery you have gone through but I can fee the pain. May god help you and remain with you forever. I hope things will get better in future in Pakistan for hindu families. 0 1 Khalid August 25, 2012 3:13 pm Dear Fazal, It is people like you who make me cringe. I am so ashamed to be a pakistani and even more ashamed to be a muslim from the same country where this happened. Do you not feel this shame at all??. If this would be your sister or daughter would you still have the same stance???. 5 1 Maira August 25, 2012 1:35 pm pls go and read who killed Heman Karkare and then get enlightened… ==Who Killed Karkare? The Real Face of Terrorism in India, by S M Mushrif, the former IG police, Maharashtra== ...It was the Malegaon investigation by Hemant Karkare and his team of Mr Kante and Salaskar, which led to the most startling revelations. It established beyond doubt that all the blasts referred to in the book were the handiwork of Hindutva extremists. The group of planners and executors started with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) of India, and included Lieutenant Colonel Purohit of Abhinav Bharat, Sadhvi Pragya Singh of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and others from Jagran Munch, Bajrang Dal, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and many other members of the Sangh Parivar, plus a bunch of ‘Swamis’ for religious cover…… go and read on 1 3 Maira August 25, 2012 1:32 pm o yeaH... Respect of women is taught in Bollywood only.... That is what u call respect.... 1 1 Maira August 25, 2012 1:28 pm haha ha ha.... what a joke 1 1 Prev12345678...2425Next MOST POPULAR 24 Hours 72 Hours Commented 1 Is Pakistan suffering from observer effect? 2 The 1974 ouster of the ‘heretics’: What really happened? 3 Dollars do not grow on trees: Deaths, murders and suicides 4 Iqbal’s love: Iqbal’s life 5 Movie Review: Ram-Leela 6 Movie Review: Thor: The Dark World 7 Malala: The real story (with evidence) 8 Shia-Sunni schism: A challenge to world peace BLOGGERS Arieb Azhar Abdul Majeed Abid Adil Mulki Ahmad Ali Khalid Ahmer Naqvi Ali Aftab Saeed Amit Baruah Anwar Iqbal Ayyaz Kiani Caroline Jaine Eshwar Sundaresan Ethan Casey Fahad Faruqui Faiza Mirza Farooq Nomani Gautam Chintamani Hassan Cheema Hosh Media Irfan Waheed Khuda Bux Abro Masud Alam Michael Kugelman Muhammad Hassan Miraj Murtaza Haider Murtaza Razvi Nadeem Farooq Paracha Rafia Zakaria Raza Ali Sayeed Rina Saeed Khan Sabir Nazar Sana Saleem Shahid Saeed Shazia Mirza Sidharth Bhatia Siddique Humayun Shyema Sajjad Tahir Mehdi Vaqar Ahmed Waris Husain Yousuf Nasim TWEETS YOUR FRIENDS RECOMMENDATIONS
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