Mumbai,February 24: The close-knit Sindhi community in Ulhasnagar, north-east of Mumbai, is undergoing a social upheaval of sorts. Over the last two years, a sizeable number in the township — primarily created for Sindhis who came in as refugees from Pakistan’s Sindh province after partition — have drifted away from Hinduism and embraced Christianity.The “conversions” have sent shockwaves among the community elders, specially since Indian Sindhis, weighed down by the scars of partition, are known to be staunch followers of Hinduism.
Most of those who are shifting their faith allegiance to Christianity are in their 40s and, in fact, had been devout followers of Hinduism.
Out of four lakh Sindhi-speaking Hindus in Ulhasnagar, around 7,000 (1.75%) have changed their faith in the last two years, according to a rough count. The growing number of “conversions” has scared the Sindhi-speaking Hindus to such an extent that they are contemplating a social boycott of the neo-Christians. Those who are taking to Christianity are not branding it as a conversion; instead, they say they have only changed their faith. Most have not even changed their Hindu names, which is turning out to be a major bone of contention with the Hindus.
“We are not against any religion but if they do not believe in Hinduism and are drawn closer to Christianity, they should adopt Christian names. We have called a meeting of the saints in our community in July. In that meeting, we will take a decision to boycott the converted Sindhis socially if they do not change their names,” said Sai Balram, general secretary of the All India Sindhi Samaj, one of the prominent organisations of the community.
Global recession is to blame, say Hindu leaders in the community. Ulhasnagar is largely a business township, full of small scale industries and traders.
Balram said, “The Christian missionaries helped the small businessmen rebuild their businesses. Since then, there has been a wave of conversion.”
But Ram Budhwani, a resident who follows Christianity, rubbishes the argument. “I started visiting the chapel to get peace of mind. I lost my wife in an accident two years ago. I became an alcoholic. I suffered heavy losses in my business and had to close down my shop. But since I am visiting the prayer house (known as Prarthana Ghar in Ulhasnagar) I am making progress in my business. I set up my shop again and am doing well. I have changed my faith, not the religion,” he said.
The Sindhi-speaking Hindus in Ulhasnagar feel people like Budhwani have betrayed the community. “Sindhis are known for their loyalty to Hinduism. We preferred to leave our places (in Pakistan) during the Partition but refused to convert into Islam. Now, we are confused how to face the situation,” a senior citizen from the community said.
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Love and not Religion
Before all the religions of the world, before all the creation of the earth, (man and everything in it), universe and heaven, the God was there. When a man is born, did he know who he is and what is his name and who is his mother/father, brothers and sisters or does he know his family name or religion. Everything was given to a man at the time of his birth, his name, family name and religion.
Religions are formed by men because every man has a fear of Supernatural God in his heart, so he is seeking and looking very badly for Him. Sometimes, he imagined and think that God is everywhere, so he takes a stone and says that God is in this stone. My dear brothers and sisters, religion is not going to take you to Heaven or to the God but your own hard work to search and research and look for Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. The God promises that when you do look for Him, you will find Him.
When a man was born he has no religion but faith in his heart, mind and soul and when he dies he dies alone and only faithis with him and not religion.
Religion is the part of the social structure which man needs to live in order and well behaved social animal.
Christianity is not the religion, Christ did not start Christianity, He simply said that God loves men very much
that He gave his only begotton Son Jesus who was sinless and came as a lamb to be slained on the cross. He had no blame and sin but He took all the sins of the world upon Himself on the cross and even died for us because He loved us so much. He said I paid the penalty of your sins and you are forgiven by my Father the God and believe that I have died for you, you will have salvation (Mukti). You will be with me in Heaven and Father God will see your sins because I have already shed my blood as an atonement of your sins.
Christianity is "the Relationship between man and the Father God through Jesus Christ His Son". When He died burried and rose on the third day, He is the living Lord. He hears the prayers of His believers that is why we are seeinig miracles of healing, amazing transformations, instant joy, peace and happiness in the hearts.
I pray that not only 7000 Sindhis have come to know our Lord Jesus Christ (Our Savior) but hundred and hundreds of thousand of Sindhis and every one in the world may come to know the True Living Lord. AMEN!
Other Sindhi Literature
I have available certain printed Sindhi Literature - using Arabic Script - that is available without cost - only the shipping costs. There are limited amounts of a goodly number of Christian Titles -- printed in Pakistan but sitting on my shelves -- 'unread' -- not a good location. Please use: >pegors@netzero.com< to get further details -- IF YOU WILL USE IT FOR SINDHI. Thanks, Paul Pegors
About 7000 new Brothers and Sisters
What a great news that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has spoken to 7000 from Ulasnagar. Welcome to the Kingdom. Hopefully I will meet some of you personaly soon. I'm originaly from Pune and I accepted the Lord Jesus in 1979.
Sindhi Bible
The Sindhi Bible in Arabic script is also available free online and as a download. See Sindhi OT: www.scribd.com/doc/30715804/Sindhi-Old-Testament
Sindhi NT A: www.scribd.com/doc/30716587/SINDHI-New-Testament-Part-A
Sindhi NT B: www.scribd.com/doc/30716747/SINDHI-New-Testament-Part-B
Sindhis believing in Jesus
Having just read this account of events in Ulhasnagar, I would like to tell readers that the Hindustani Sindhi New Testament has recently been published by the Bible Society of India at Rs75/- a copy, so that all Sindhis can evaluate the deeds, character and teaching of Jesus and those he commissioned.
DONT TALK AGAINST ISLAM
BAL,UDAY,RAJ,ADVANI,
YOU FELLOWS EVERY TIME TALK AGAINST ISLAM, SEE HELP THE HINDU BROTHERS
One step closer to Islam. I
One step closer to Islam. I believe it is easier for an Indian Christian to see the true religion of Islam as opposed to an Indian Hindu. I say that because Hinduism is very integrated with the Indian culture and it is very difficult to separate those two.
Can BJP/VHP/SHIV SENA learn
Can BJP/VHP/SHIV SENA learn a lesson from the above Hindus conversation to Christanity, these parties only making hatraits among Hindus/Muslims, and their agendas against Muslims only. Do they have any plan to help these Sindhis...... no they cannot do anything. They are even not allowing to the Dallits to pray in their Temples. If they want to prove it , kindly prove by allowing low caste hindus in Tirupati, Banaras and other Temples. The whole hindusim will be vanished very soon due to hatreats and violance.
Sindhis
7000 in two years is whopping number to have had left the religion of their ancestors. If dwelled deeply into the cultural, traditional, linguistic and other traits these Sindhis are very close to Islamic Sufism. If at all they should have shifted their loyalty it should had been to Islam instead of Christianity. Let me correct I am against people chaning their faith on flimsy grounds. I espouse "Swamy Vivekananda's philosophy is stunningly apt in todays scenario for he said "Hunger knows no religion" Hunger can be of food, water, love et al. He strongly advocated the philosophy of a "Vedic Mind and an Islamic Body" I hope there are intelligently people in our community to decode this message. My message is reach out to people of all faiths respect them they accept you.
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