'Christians in Kashmir can follow their faith without fear'

Senior Kashmiri leader Yaseen Malik assured continuous support and cooperation for the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and Christians after the recent spate of incidents in some parts of the state.

The chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Malik last week declared that Christians can pray and follow their faith without fear of persecution.

Malik was speaking to a representative of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), who made a special visit to Kashmir to interact with civil society, political and religious leaders, in the backdrop of a raging controversy surrounding religious conversions.

A Sharia court began proceedings against Rev Khanna of the Church of North India (CNI) in November last year after a video surfaced on internet purportedly showing the pastor baptizing young Muslim boys.

Although Rev Khanna strongly denied any charge of forced conversion, the Sharia court came out with an order demanding the expulsion of five Christian clergymen, including the CNI pastor.

"Muslims in general are not opposed to Christians practicing their faith in the Valley. However, they have reservations against conversions through inducement," says Samuel Jayakumar of the NCCI.

Following his visit to Srinagar on Friday, Jayakumar said he found the local communities to be very appreciative of the work of Christians, especially in the field of education and health. "They wholeheartedly agree that it contributed to the development of Kashmir," he says.

Jayakumar told Muslim leaders that the Church did not approve of conversions through force or allurement. "Such conversions are immoral and went against the teachings of Christ," he said.

The recent incidents have left the 400-odd Christians with a sense of insecurity and helplessness. The police are also reportedly scrutinising the work of churches and Christian organisations in the state.

The NCCI, meanwhile, urged the Kashmir government to be on guard against let right-wing Muslim groups taking law into their own hands. The ecumenical body further appealed to the media and Christian groups to refrain from creating prejudice against Muslims in the state.