This is horrible.
In Pakistan, a 17-year-old Christian boy named Samsoon Javed has reportedly been forcibly converted to Islam by his Muslim employers and is being held in illegal custody, according to his mother, Samina Javed. Samsoon, who began working at a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) outlet owned by the Manzoor brothers in Sheikhupura District, Punjab, showed noticeable changes in his behavior after starting his job, worrying his family. When Samsoon failed to return home in September, his mother and stepfather confronted one of the Manzoor brothers, who informed them that Samsoon had converted to Islam and no longer wished to live with his family.
Javed and her family, devout Christians belonging to a local Brethren church, were shocked and distressed by this revelation. Despite their attempts to meet Samsoon, they were repeatedly turned away by the Manzoor brothers. When they finally managed to speak to him, Samsoon appeared fearful and refused to discuss his conversion, suggesting he was under pressure. Javed believes her son is being held against his will and suspects he was taken to an Islamic spiritual guide to be coerced into abandoning his Christian faith.
The family now faces significant challenges in retrieving their son, as local Muslims are unlikely to help them due to Samsoon’s conversion. Samina Javed has appealed to church leaders and human rights organizations for assistance, as they seek legal support to address the situation. Forced conversions of Christian boys are uncommon in Pakistan, but Christian and Hindu girls and women are frequently abducted and forced into conversions and marriages, often under threat of violence.
Human rights activists have expressed concern about the increasing number of forced conversions in Pakistan, citing a lack of accountability for perpetrators. These conversions are often coerced through threats, blackmail, or promises of financial gain. Religious freedom in Pakistan is limited, and conversion back to Christianity is considered apostasy, which carries severe consequences, though the practice is rarely enforced at the state level. Pakistan remains one of the most dangerous countries for Christians, ranking seventh on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List.