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C. M. Khanna, 53, of St. Paul's Church in Jammu says he recently baptized 20 to 30 Muslims. But he notes that many more are showing interest in Christianity without taking so public a step. "The fact is that Muslims are coming close but not converting," he says. "There is fear."

Khanna plans to move to Srinagar to begin a new ministry. He recently participated in a four-day peace workshop for additional training. The International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., sponsored the gathering. The interfaith center seeks to move beyond political wrangling and to engage religious leaders directly in relationship-based peacemaking. It encourages them to use their own cultural traditions and scriptures to develop a new commitment to peaceful coexistence.

"We conducted a seminar with 40 Muslim students in Kashmir, and they were excited," Khanna says. "We articulated the love of Christ, we touched them; the Holy Spirit was working. They were not offended. They got interested."

"Christian History of 130 years here is marked with service to the people in the field of education and hospitals," says Jim Borst, 65, of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Srinagar. "Teaching tolerance through our schools is part of our outreach."

Paljor says, "Christians are not pressing for conversions. They are pressing for new conceptions, opening their mind by telling them stories from the Bible—the stories of love, harmony, and tolerance."

Masooda, 22, calls herself a "believer of Christ," although she is not baptized.

"It's not a matter of religion," she says. "It's about finding God. I have found mine." Her face radiates with excitement as she describes how she saw two visions of Christ. In one, he sat on a huge rock. In the other, he was being nailed to the cross, with a pool of blood below him.

Although Masooda told her mother and close friends about her new faith, she fears what Muslim radicals would do if she made a public declaration. "They would burn our house, and my family would be in danger."

Dhobi, whose father is a Muslim imam, says his wife disapproves of his careful consideration of Christianity. "The day I become a Christian, I would be the first one in my village," he says. "I will never hide it, even in the face of every threat."

Young people's mindsets are changing slowly. "There are no mass conversions," says John Dayal of the All India Christian Council. "Every person is acting in his individual capacity. It is a good sign that youngsters are showing interest in Christianity."

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The Christianity Today September cover package focused on evangelism to Muslims. Articles include:

Doors into IslamSeptember 11 has only intensified the dangers and rewards of Muslim evangelism.

Deconstructing IslamApologist Jay Smith takes a confrontational approach.

September 11 Prompts Sober MissionsThinking Christians have to seriously consider whether to go abroad because of dangerous elements.

Previous Christianity Today articles on religious tensions in India include:

Hounded, Beaten, ShotWhat you can do to help persecuted Christians in India. (June 11, 2002)

Critics Assail Dialogue with Hindu RadicalsBut some Christians see talks as an opportunity to build bridges in times of persecution. Critics Assail Dialogue with Hindu Radicals. (May 14, 2002)

New Curriculum 'Tampering' with History, Indian Churches ProtestChristian leaders allege that a current education proposal promotes Hindu nationalism. (Dec. 12, 2001)

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September 9 2002, Vol. 46, No. 10