1392 FIS-Pakistan Cricketer's conversion to Islam brings another closer to faith
austraLasia 1392
Cricketer's conversion to Islam brings another closer to
his Catholic faith
ISLAMABAD: 15th January 2006 -- There is a follow-up
to a story we ran a month or so back, after the conversion of a
prominent Pakistani cricketer, Yousef Youhana to Islam. It takes
place in our own context, at Lahore.
The national motorway joining Islamabad
and Lahore, constructed with the aid of Korean engineers, is
a thing of pride in Pakistan, as are the Highway Police who patrol
it. They have a reputation for being amongst the most
incorruptible of a sometimes corruptible national police force.
They even fined the Spanish Ambassador some weeks ago. It is
difficult, well nigh impossible, for a Christian, let alone a Catholic,
to enlist. But one has, by dint of sheer perseverance, obvious
capacity, and much affirmation from his mentors which include those of
Don Bosco Centre in Lahore, of which the young man is a past
pupil. He found himself at first depressed by the conversion of
Youhana, then discovered he was under the same pressure - constant
discrimination aimed at conversion. Now he has decided to do
something about his own attitude and has sought the essential spiritual
help and guidance that he first knew at 'Don Bosco'. As he puts
it: "One night I finished the Rosary at home, and saw, attached to
Mary's picture, the small picture of Don Bosco I received when I was at
school. I felt the urge to strengthen my faith and receive
spiritual direction. Don Bosco is bringing me back home to remain
strong in my struggle to keep the faith".
A simple story, but they are often the most
touching. The conversion of one Catholic to Islam brings another
closer to God. Is it not a miracle of faith?
_____________________
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