7000 Sindhis Convert to Christianity in 2 Years
- By Pritam Singh Sandhu
- Published 03/8/2010
Pritam Singh Sandhu
Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu is a Punjabi Christian and live in Singapore. He is the founder of South Asian Connection http://www.southasianconnection.com and lead Pastor of South Asian International Fellowship http://www.saifchurch.com - a multicultural church reaching out to the South Asian community in Singapore and beyond.
South Asian International Fellowship also has a SAIF-Telugu and SAIF Tamil congregation - a focused targeted weekly evangelistic ministry to the migrant workers of Telugu and Tamil origin in Singapore mainly of blue collar shipyard and construction workers and some mission focussed Indian Singaporean PR families.
SOUTH ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP
SUNDAY SERVICE
SAIF English Service 5.00 – 6.30pm
SAIF Telugu Service 7.00 – 9.00pm
SAIF Tamil Service 7.00 – 9.00pm
Location - BIBLE HOUSE, 3rd floor - 7 Armenian Street, Singapore (179932) - 7 Minutes Walk from City Hall MRT Station.
The Vision Of South Asian International Fellowship Is To Establish An International New Testament Type Ministry Through Which South Asians Will Be Empowered To Reach And Disciple The Nations For Christ.
Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu is also the International Coordinator for the South Asian Global Convention http://www.SAGC2009.com - an International Gathering for South Asian Christian Youth and Young Adults for Mission Mobilization. He has served as the Youth Pastor/ Leader of Khush Khabri Fellowship in Singapore [1996-2000, 2005-2007] and Youth Pastor at the International Punjabi Masihi Church in Vancouver, Canada [2000-2005].
He was a former Sikh-Christian now, a dreamer, a visionary leader and a risk-taker in God's Kingdom. He is passionate about young people and mentoring the Next Generation of South Asian leaders. He is also interested in networking among churches and engaging the cultures.
Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu was a Biology and Chemistry teacher at Bukit View Secondary School and Vice-Principal at BMC Training Institute, a private education school in Singapore. He holds a Bachelor of Science [Biology] degree from the National University of Singapore, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education [Distinctions] from Nanyang Technological University, a Certificate in Christian Ministry from the Asian Christian Training School in Malaysia and a Masters of Christian Studies in Applied Theology from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada.
Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu is also a Singapore registered licensed marriage solemnizer and conducts both civil and ceremonial marriages.
Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu has two children - Sujaan Kaur Sandhu [born 21/06/04] and Saajan Singh Sandhu [born 04/01/09], and is married to Dr. Balbir Kaur Chaal, a UK-born Punjabi Christian and Cambridge University educated molecular biologist.
Mumbai, 24th February 2010
Source: Siasat News
7000 Sindhis Convert to Christianity in 2 Years
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.
Siasat News
Source: Siasat News
7000 Sindhis Convert to Christianity in 2 Years
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.
Siasat News
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13 Responses to "7000 Sindhis Convert to Christianity in 2 Years" 
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said this on 09 Mar 2010 6:55:44 PM MST
Great news. I have frie
and he is t Muslim community. eatin now thousands of change in name and an believers l revival is goi stop a heavenly eart all |
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said this on 03 Apr 2010 8:38:02 AM MST
so your comment has made
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said this on 21 Dec 2011 4:04:48 AM MST
Hahaha.............boss u
Ure The peo The |
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said this on 27 Apr 2010 6:12:48 AM MST
Everyone knows that Sindh
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said this on 31 Aug 2011 8:10:32 AM MST
I DO AGREE THE SINDHI'S A
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said this on 24 May 2010 12:22:37 AM MST
Everyone knows that Sindh
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said this on 11 Jul 2010 8:46:54 PM MST
Kya baat kaha hai bhai Ra
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said this on 05 Sep 2010 1:16:05 PM MST
Rama and Sindee: You hav
can give other materials can' promise 40 years, love of Jesus religion, but getting i died for our sins and pa life See the bless s blessing cry to God to earlier than we expec The they are con Praise the Lord. |
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said this on 05 Sep 2010 1:29:13 PM MST
Edwin: You have a misund
Christ Jesus Christ has taught Christian book store at a Hindu Chicago. When sh thr number of a Ch his wife drove throu told me than the love of is the love I have r Was it people are attrac through somebody else. the unsee alien to its mi power i respect your relig |
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said this on 09 Dec 2010 8:13:34 AM MST
Love, Joy, Peace, Patienc
Some times We as Christians nee But the b The WORD of God say |
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said this on 08 Mar 2011 3:23:55 AM MST
I am a Sindhi living in I
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said this on 15 Dec 2011 5:34:19 PM MST
Når nogen kommer til skob
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said this on 21 Dec 2011 4:13:36 AM MST
PROUD TO BE A HINDU !
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