KOZHIKODE: There may not be any direct correlation between the number of conversions taking place in Kerala and the recent expose on the alleged recruitment to Islamic State from the region. But the fact remains that there have been close to 900 conversions to Islam in 2015 alone.
They took place at Kozhikode-based Therbiyyath and Ponnani-based Maunathul Islam Sabha, two authorised conversion centres. The numbers for 2016 are not yet available.
As per numbers with Therbiyyath, 300 people had converted in 2015 while statistics with Maunathul Islam Sabha revealed that around 600 conversions took place. “All data related to conversion, income and expenditure are submitted to the police and Home Department,” said Therbiyyath manager Alikkoya. “We’re maintaining pertinent records on conversion and are ready to submit details,” said Maunathul Islam Sabha superintendent Muhammed Saleem.
The issue had rocked the state when then CM Oommen Chandy on June 25, 2012, told the Assembly that 2,667 women were converted to Islam in the state since 2006.
Info Flies Thick & Fast Between Kerala and Syria
It appears that channels of ncommunication very much exist between Kerala and Syria. And what appears in the local media here elicits immediate response from those who have gone missing over the last one month, pushing investigating agencies into a huddle over whether they’ve allegedly joined the IS. A Facebook page, ‘Olivin Chaarathu’ (Beside the olive trees), in Malayalam allegedly made by some of the missing persons has disowned IS for its anti- Islamic stand.