Christians safe in Kashmir Valley: JKLF

Pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front has asserted that the 'minority Christian community is safe in the Valley.

"Christians have been living in the Valley with dignity and honour and Muslims of Kashmir have never interfered in their religious affairs," JKLF chairman Yasin Malik told A Sameul Jayakumar, executive secretary of National Council of Churches in India on Sunday.

A controversy had arisen here after a sharia court and prominent Muslim clerics alleged that some Christian priests had been luring local youth with money for conversions, an allegation strongly denied by the Church.

"Kashmiris are known for their religious tolerance and Islam preaches tolerance and respect for other religions," Malik said.

He said Christians have played a vital role in education and health sectors in the Valley and assured them that 'the community members can live here without any fear and perform their religious duties'.

On his part Jayakumar described offering of money for conversions as 'immoral practice and against the teachings of Christianity'.