Conversion of religion: Jamaat to challenge Sindh Assembly's legislation in SC

Opposing the Sindh Assembly's legislation against the forced conversion of religion, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Tuesday termed it unconstitutional and against the Charter of the United Nations. Addressing a press conference, JI Chief Sirajul Haq said that passage of the bill by the Sindh Assembly will create unrest in the country, leading to a conflict between the Muslim majority and minorities.
Haq said that the party will challenge it in the superior courts, adding that Islam does not allow forced conversions, but if a person without any fear and social pressure converts into any other religion then there should not be any ban on such conversions.
He said the step of the provincial assembly is being considered as damaging for Islamic identity of the country and the Sindh government is creating the issue out of the non-issue, which is against the social harmony. Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and co-chairman PPP Asif Ali Zardari should ask the government of Sindh to withdraw this legislation.
He said the JI also condemns the federal government's moves regarding passing the 24th Constitutional Amendment unilaterally. The Sindh Assembly on Thursday last unanimously passed a law against the forced conversion of religion in the province. A private bill, Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities), was tabled by the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional lawmaker Nand Kumar a year ago. "Forced conversion is an abhorrent and violent offence and an issue that has become prevalent across Sindh [that] must be eliminated by recognising the importance of tolerance, peace and respect for all religions and persons, irrespective of their religion," the bill says.
According to the bill, no person shall be deemed to have changed their religion until they attain the age of maturity of 18 years. Similarly, the decision of a minor to convert into another religion will not be recognised until they reach the age of maturity.
The JI chief smelled a conspiracy behind the move of the Sindh Assembly and declared the law as an agenda of the enemies of Pakistan with an aim to destabilize the country. The government of Sindh during past eight and half years remained failed in resolving problems of the people in the central, rural and urban areas of province. The provincial government should focus on addressing issues concerning to health, education and transport, but since 2008 it has been found busy in non-issues and ignored the plight of people.
There is widespread anger against this law among the religious circles. Islamic scholars and major religio-political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan-Sami have already rejected the legislation and threatened to launch a protest movement if the Sindh government does not withdraw it forthwith. He said the JI has always stood for the rights of minorities. Haq said that JI has always stood for the rights of minorities. He said that JI Lahore gathering was also attended by thousands of people, including Sikhs, Christians, Hindus and people belonging to other religions.