Reports of Victims of Forced Conversions to Islam, Rapes and Forced Marriages

By Jeremy Reynalds
 

LAHORE -- In Pakistan forced conversions to Islam, rapes and forced marriages are on the rise.

According to a story by Agenzia Fides (the information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies), the victims are mostly Hindu and Christian girls, belonging to religious minorities. The information came from Fides' local sources.

Fides said this has been a worrying phenomenon for the Church in Pakistan for some time, and one that the Church is trying to address. It is looking for institutional cooperation, but the process is an uphill battle.

"The Christian girls are the weakest and most vulnerable, because their communities are poor, defenseless and marginalized, therefore easily exposed to harassment and threats. Often they do not even have the courage to denounce the violence," a sister told Fides.

The sister hides and assists the girls who have managed to escape, Fides said.

The sister said, "But the trend is worrying: There are hundreds of cases a year registered and those that come to light are only a fraction."

Fides said in a society that tolerates discrimination of religious minorities, especially of women, the dominant religion and related social position are used to impose tyranny.

A report sent to Fides by the Center for Legal Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), which takes care of legal assistance for Christians who are discriminated against and persecuted in Pakistan, confirmed this issue. It reported a number of troubling situations, occurring mainly in the province of Punjab.

Fides said Sidra Bibi, a 14-year-old Christian in the district of Sheikhupura in Punjab, is the daughter of a worker in the cotton industry. A Muslim from the village had his eye on her and began to molest her. He eventually abducted and raped her, before threatening her with death.

Physically and psychologically abused, the girl became pregnant.

Fides said she managed to escape from her captor, and is now back with her family. Police have refused to accept her complaint, Fides said, and now CLAAS lawyers are handling the case.

Fides said Tina Barkat, a 28-year-old-Christian, was approached by a Muslim friend who, after being friends with her for several months, asked her to convert to Islam. Her family began to read her verses of the Koran, kidnaped and threatened her, and then gave her in marriage to a Muslim family member. Her attorneys have filed a motion to dissolve the marriage.

Fides said a similar situation has occurred to Samina Ayub, a 17-year-old Christian, who lives with her family near Lahore. Kidnaped by a Muslim, she was forcibly converted to Islam, renamed Fatima Bibi, and forced to marry in the Muslim tradition.

Fides said her family reported the abduction, but police have not prosecuted those responsible. The case remains unsolved, and her family is asking for help from everyone interested in saving Samina.

Fides said Shazia Bibi, a 19-year-old Christian from Gujranwala, in Punjab, worked as a maid in the house of a Muslim woman, the owner of a grocery store. The Muslim boy from the store was in love with Shazia. In collaboration with the owner, they held a "conversion" and forced her into marriage. Fides said the plan was successful, but now as a result of intervention from Shazia's family the case has ended up in court.

In addition, Fides said, two other Christian girls, Uzma Bibi, 15, and from Gulberg, and Saira Bibi, 20, a nurse from Lahore, were abducted by Muslim neighbors, converted to Islam and then forced to marry in an Islamic ceremony.

Fides said the horrified families of the girls have reclaimed their daughters, and the cases are currently before the High Court of Lahore, represented by lawyers provided by CLAAS.