A new case of religious conversion has emerged in Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh. A guy, whom people used to know as Ramshakal, has now become Md Jahangir Asraf and is living with his new religious identity. He even goes to the Masjid every day and gives ‘Ajan’ in the Masjid. He is married to a muslim woman and has two children.
People are in shock after knowing that a 37-year-old person has converted to Muslim. Ramshakal is a resident of Raspahari village of Myaorpur block of Sonbhadra district. He is the youngest among his four brothers, the son of Jagarnath.
According to local sources, Ramshakal used to teach small children in Babhani village. People further said that he became ill and the illness continued for months. He came into contact with a few people who asked him to go to a Dargah in Ambedkarnagar district. Then only he converted himself into a Muslim and changed his name to Md Jahangir Ashraf.When he came back, he built his house in a nearby village, Kirwani.
One-third of the population of the Kirwani village is Muslim, where Ramshakal lives. There he lives as a Muezzin (One who offers Prayers at the mosque), reads the Quran and offers five times of namaz.
He has also learned the Urdu and Persian languages and now teaches small students the same. Knowing all these changes, the villagers and the members of the family are shocked and disturbed but they said we are happy to see him satisfied with his life.
Converted with his own Choice
Ramshakal alias Mohd. Jahangir Ashraf says that he changed his religion on his own. There was no fear or temptation involved. He had been unwell for a long time. When his health improved, he voluntarily decided to change his identity.He says there is peace in the family now. He reads the Quran and also keeps the Ramayana. He believes that all religions teach the same things. He has no objection to any religion.
There is no clear information about why, how, or under whose influence Ramshakal changed his religion. It was his personal decision. The family came to know about it later. He now lives in another village. He should live in whatever way gives him satisfaction, said his relative Sudama Prasad.
