How Islamists convert non-Muslims using different tactics of Da’wah

Firhad Hakim, a senior Minister in West Bengal and Kolkata’s Mayor, urged Muslims to convert non-Muslims to Islam, claiming it would assure a Muslim’s path to heaven. On July 3, at an Islamic event in Kolkata, Hakim stated that converting even one non-Muslim (referred as ‘kafir’ by Islamists) would secure a Muslim’s entry to  “jannat” (heaven).

Hakim described non-Muslims as “blighted” and urged Muslims to extend “Dawat-e-Islam” (invitation to Islam) to them to please Allah. He expressed pride in seeing thousands of Muslims in skull caps, describing them as strong, united, and invincible.

“Those who were not born into Islam were born with misfortune. It will please Allah Ta’ala if they accept Islam… by inviting them to Islam. Islam should be spread among them,” Hakim said.

He continued, “I have a request for this foundation. If we hold such ceremonies, especially for the people of Islam, we should spread Islam among non-Muslims. Because we have the mercy of our own Allah. Being born into Islam means that our Messenger has paved the way for us to Paradise. If I don’t commit any major wrongs, being born into Islam means reaching heaven in the future.”

Firhad Hakim’s statement urging Muslims to convert non-Muslims to Islam is quite usual within the context of Islamic theology. This is because Da’wah, or Dawat-e-Islam, is central to the practice of Islam, whether in Bharat or anywhere in the world.

In Islamic theology, the purpose of Da’wah is to invite people – both Muslims and non-Muslims – to worship Allah .

Preaching Islam

Every Muslim, from clerics to common individuals, who has faith in Islam, is directed to invite people to Islam and spread the message of Allah to non-believers. Infamous Islamic preacher Zakir Naik is one of the most visible faces promoting the spread of Islam through mass Da’wah activities.

Naik, often described as a “radical televangelist” by news reports and media, founded and owns the religious television channel Peace TV. Naik uses his channel to hold debates with Hindu and Christian leaders and to give widely publicised lectures. In 2012, the Indian Government banned the channel.

Following the Dhaka terror episode, it was also banned in Bangladesh.

Besides Peace TV, Naik uses social media as a tool for his Da’wah work. Over 14 million people currently follow him on Facebook. In 2014, he launched Peace Mobile, an Islamic smartphone known as the “world’s only authentic Islamic Android smartphone.” The phone came pre-installed with over 50 Islamic applications and about 80 hours of Naik’s lectures and discourses.

Naik has been the centre of controversy due to his radical preachings. Some of his views include:

• One of Naik’s most controversial remarks was regarding Osama bin Laden. He stated he would not criticise Osama bin Laden, saying, “If bin Laden is fighting enemies of Islam, I am for him…if he is terrorising America – the terrorist, biggest terrorist – I am with him.”
• Naik has opposed the construction of temples and churches in Islamic countries because he believes Hinduism and Christianity are “wrong”.
• His views on non-believers, renunciation of Islam, and apostasy tend to be violent. While he maintains
  there should be no death penalty for apostates, he believes those who preach against Islam can be legitimately put to death.

The Methodology

Understanding this context helps explain why statements like those from Firhad Hakim are not unusual within Islamic discourse, as the concept of Da’wah is deeply rooted in the religion’s  theology and practice.

1. Dalit Hindus are prime targets for conversion by Islamists. In March 2023, Organiser covered a case from Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, that illustrates this trend. Uday Raj Kori, a 20-year-old Dalit youth, worked at a welding shop in Mumbai. Struggling with his circumstances, Uday met Danish, a coworker who introduced him to Islam. Danish shared videos of Islamic preachers claiming that Uday’s life would improve if he started offering Namaz (Islamic prayers). Uday later met a cleric who changed his name to Mohammad Hussain. The conversion came to light when Uday returned home and visited a nearby mosque to pray. His father then lodged a complaint (FIR number: 21/2023) at Pashchim Sharira Police Station. As a result, Danish was booked under sections of the Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.

2. One of the most common tactics employed by Islamists is targeting Hindu women, deceiving them with false expressions of love, and ultimately converting them to Islam. This often involves adopting fake names or identities, and in some cases, using force. The primary objective is to secure conversions and have children who will further the Islamic faith. In a notable case from Uttar Pradesh, reported by Organiser in March 2023, Rashid Khan posed as Raju Mishra to deceive a Brahmin woman from Delhi. After ensnaring her in a romantic relationship, he subjected her to sexual abuse and exploitation, leading to multiple abortions. He eventually revealed to her that converting a Hindu Brahmin girl to Islam would earn him “Ek Haj ka Sawab” (the spiritual reward equivalent to performing the Hajj pilgrimage) and secure his place in Jannat (paradise).

Firhad Hakim’s call for Muslims to convert non-Muslims to Islam, while being a matter of concern, has to be seen in the context of being consistent with the Islamic practice of Da’wah or Dawat-e-Islam

3. Another prevalent method today involves exploiting social media to target minors. This is achieved through the use of reels and videos that romanticise the wearing of hijab and burqa, portraying them as symbols of a woman’s dignity. By making this a ‘trend’, Hindu girls are lured into it, often in pursuit of likes and followers, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of conversion. In a similar case reported by Organiser from Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, Vanshidhar Maurya discovered that his 17-year-old daughter had started offering namaz. Upon investigation, he found that a neighborhood boy named Mohammad Irshad had been influencing her through social media, leading to her adoption of Islamic practices.

4. In March 2023, Organiser reported a case from Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district involving Akshay Gaur, who was lured into converting to Islam after his business collapsed. Depressed and desperate, Akshay left home and met a cleric who persuaded him that Islam held the solution to all his problems and sorrows. Vulnerable Akshay found hope in the cleric’s words and decided to convert, adopting the name Mohammad Fahim Khan. He began visiting a mosque, where he was terrified with descriptions of the Day of Judgement and Jahannum (hell), and warned about the “Dozakh ki aag” (fire of hell). Under this pressure, Akshay not only converted but also started forcing his family to embrace Islam. Thanks to repeated counselling and visits by Hindu activists, Akshay eventually reverted to Sanatan Dharma. He lodged an FIR against Alim Qaudri (FIR Number: 524/2022) at the Mogaht Road police station. What followed was beyond belief; he began receiving threat calls, including one from Pakistan, urging him to withdraw his case. Traumatised by these threats, Akshay attempted to end his life on March 19, 2023, but was fortunately saved in time.

5. Another tactic known as ‘Reverse Love Jihad’ involves a Hindu man marrying a Muslim woman. Although the marriage is conducted according to Hindu customs and rituals, the Hindu husband is eventually pressured to convert to Islam. Organiser has reported numerous cases of this pattern occurring in society. For example, in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh, a Hindu man named Ajay Singh married Muskan, the daughter of Yunis, in December 2022. By April 2023, Muskan began pressuring Ajay to convert to Islam, threatening to leave him if he refused. She threw idols of Hindu gods and goddesses out of their home and instigated daily arguments. When Ajay sought help from the police, Muskan threatened to take her own life if he did not convert. An FIR (number: 171/2023) was registered at Akbarabad Police Station, leading to Muskan being booked. Such cases are becoming increasingly common.

6. Another variation of ‘Reverse Love Jihad’ involves Muslim women posing as Hindus to marry Hindu men. In a case from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit man named Jagveer Kori reported to the police that 12 years after marrying Pooja, he discovered her true identity was Haseena Bano. She had forged her identity to him from the start. For years, Haseena lived as a Hindu, visiting temples, observing festivals, and raising two children with Jagveer. However, she eventually revealed her true identity and insisted that Jagveer convert to Islam. She also wanted their children to convert and demanded that their son be circumcised. Jagveer filed an FIR (number: 403/2022) at Ayodhya Kotwali against Haseena and her family.

7. The Bollywood film The Kerala Story highlighted some of the common tricks and tactics employed by Islamists to convert non-Hindus. Inspired by the film, a similar case emerged in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior. In this case, a minor girl was ensnared by a man named Aman, who used her friend Shabnam as an intermediary. Shabnam first formed a friendship with Arti, gradually introducing her to Islamic practices such as wearing the hijab and offering namaz. Subsequently, Aman entered the picture and exploited Arti sexually. They then threatened her with a fate similar to that of Shraddaha Walker if she did not convert to Islam. An FIR (number: 0/2023) was filed at the Kampoo Police Station in Gwalior against Aman for these actions.

8. One of the prominent methods involves using threats of hellfire and the afterlife, as described in the Quran. Radical Islamic preachers such as Zakir Naik and Kaleem Siddiqui utilise these tactics extensively. These preachers also make unfounded claims about references to Allah in Hindu religious texts like the Mahabharat, Ramayana, and Rigveda. In a case reported by Organiser in May 2023 from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Sourabh Jain transformed into Mohammad Salim Jain, converting his wife Mansi Agarwal to Rahila Khatun and having his children circumcised. A professor by profession, Sourabh relocated from Bhopal to Hyderabad after his doctor father refused to accept the teachings of these radical preachers. He became associated with Hizb-Ut-Tehrir, an Islamic organisation aiming to establish an Islamic caliphate worldwide. Salim was apprehended by the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad for engaging in terrorist activities and converting hundreds of people to Islam. His father, Dr Ashok Raj Vaidya, informed Organiser that individuals like Sourabh are viewed as “trophy Muslims” by these groups, and used to attract other educated individuals to Islam.

9. In a similar case reported by Organiser in September 2023, Hindu students at a private school in MP’s Guna were seen wearing hijabs, singing Islamic songs, and reciting Islamic teachings. The video of these performances went viral, prompting local Hindu activists to assemble at the school and demand action against the school administration. The incident occurred at Prince Global Private School in the Cantt area of the town, where students organised a cultural event celebrating Eid on September 27, 2023. Videos from the event showed Hindu students dressed in various Muslim attires, including little girls wearing hijabs and others in green dupattas, singing Islamic songs.

10. In June 2023, three minor boys from the Jain community were subjected to a disturbing request while playing an online game called Discord. In an attempt to advance to the next level of the game, the boys were instructed to recite verses from the Quran. This incident highlights a troubling pattern of coercive conversions within online gaming communities.

11. Organiser uncovered another disturbing trend in June 2024 from Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly. In this case, a three-year-old Hindu boy was circumcised without his parents’ consent at M Khan Hospital. Shocked, Harimohan Yadav and his wife, Parul Yadav, had brought their son to the hospital on June 22 for tests related to a speech ailment. The child was admitted and subsequently circumcised without their knowledge. When the parents protested, the hospital administration threatened them and even attempted to assault Harimohan. However, with the assistance of local Hindu activists and media, the case was brought to light.

12. In another incident reported by Organiser from Bikaner, Rajasthan, a lesbian teacher named Nida Bahlim was accused of luring a 17-year-old girl named Yogita into her fake love and convincing her to leave the city. Yogita’s family claimed that Nida is a manipulative woman who influenced Yogita in every aspect. They believe that Nida has abducted their daughter and is not acting alone; her brothers Junaid, Naved, and her parents are also involved. An FIR (number–358/2023) was registered in this matter. It is worth noting that the minor girl, who is with Nida, has shared a video on social media platforms. In the video, Nida can be seen wearing a Hijab, and both are seen emphasising that Yogita left her home of her own accord and that Nida had no role in her elopement. They claim to be lesbians who love each other and will live happily if left alone.

13. In July 2024, a series of incidents involving forced religious conversions under the pretext of marriage by Islamists and grooming by co-religionists were uncovered in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district. The first case involved a typical ‘Love Jihad’ scenario, where a victim alleged she was lured into a false love affair and coerced into converting. However, other cases revealed that multiple individuals were involved in grooming, including tuition teachers. Allegations suggest that a teacher used her coaching classes as a venue to groom Hindu girls and facilitate Muslim boys in trapping them. An FIR (number: 822/2023) was registered in connection with these incidents.

14. A disturbing revelation emerged from Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh, where cases of unlawful possession and alteration of houses built for underprivileged individuals under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana have been reported. It is alleged that members of the Muslim community illegally occupied over 125 residences in the area. These houses were reportedly modified without authorisation, including the construction of domes, transforming some into mosques, tombs, and sites for exorcism. Furthermore, there have been reports of photographs of numerous Hindu girls and women found within these mosque-like structures. These images bear markings, including circles and crosses, possibly signifying targeted individuals and deceased persons. The police are currently investigating the matter.

15. Conversion under the guise of medical treatment is a tactic commonly associated with missionary conversion groups. A similar incident has recently come to light in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. A Hindu couple, struggling with illnesses, arrived in Uttarakhand and met Hakeem Mufti Adil, who lured them towards conversion. While the elderly male fell into his trap and began adhering to Islamic practices, the female informed their son, leading to a formal complaint. Currently, no arrests have been made in connection with this incident. Nevertheless, the accused has been charged under sections of the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act. An FIR (number: 205/2024) was filed at the Ranipur Police Station in the Haridwar district on May 25 by Kundan Singh.

16. In a dramatic twist during their summer vacation in Delhi, two young Hindu boys faced an attempt at Islamic conversion while attending a coaching centre in the Shakurpur area. Manoj Kumar Saroj, a Dalit auto garage owner, enrolled his 13 and 12-year-old sons in the JMD coaching centre to improve their English and Maths skills. Instead, they were bombarded with questions about Islam and the Quran. The centre, recommended by locals, displayed a banner with the name Jai Mata Di and pictures of Maa Saraswati, which initially reassured Manoj. However, after two weeks, his elder son started asking about the Quran, revealing that a teacher named Rizwan had suggested he start reading it, claiming it had more power than their religion.

Firhad Hakim’s call for Muslims to convert non-Muslims to Islam, while being a matter of concern, has to be seen in the context of being consistent with the Islamic practice of Da’wah or Dawat-e-Islam, which involves inviting both Muslims and non-Muslims to understand and embrace the teachings of Islam. This practice is central to Islamic theology and is seen as the duty of every Muslim, regardless of their position in society.

The concept of Da’wah is deeply rooted in the history of Islam, and is seen as a universal mission to spread the message of Allah to all people. This practice continues today through various means, including the use of media platforms and technology, as exemplified by figures such as Zakir Naik.