Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik - File photo

Key Highlights Ebin Jacob (25), the brother of Merin who is missing along with husband Bestin Vincent , has told police that there was an attempt to forcefully convert him into Islam and make him join the Islamic State (IS).

A member of the Islamic Research Foundation founded by Zakir Naik, were behind the attempted forceful conversion.

Kochi: Ebin Jacob (25), the brother of Merin alias Mariam who is missing along with husband Bestin Vincent alias Yahia, has told police that there was an attempt to forcefully convert him into Islam and make him join the terrorist organization, Islamic State (IS).

Ebin told Kochi city police in a statement that Bestin and R C Qureshi, a member of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) founded by controversial preacher Zakir Naik, were behind the attempted forceful conversion.

Based on this statement, the Palarivattom police have slapped charges under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on the duo and also booked them under Section 153 (A) of the IPC.

"As per the statement, Qureshi insisted that Ebin should embrace Islam and join IS. It was Bestin who compelled Ebin to come to Mumbai and meet Qureshi," said Ernakulam ACP K V Vijayan, the investigating officer. Ebin's statement said he was taken to Mumbai by Bestin, who had been indoctrinated with Islam at that time, in 2014.

Though Qureshi allegedly asked Ebin to embrace Islam, he was not willing.

This could be the first case registered under UAPA against any of the 21 Keralites who had gone missing and allegedly joined the IS.

At Qureshi's house in Mumbai, Ebin was taken to a library where he was introduced to Quran. "Qureshi displayed all religious books before him and asked him to go through all of them. Qureshi also made a comparison of all the religions. Ebin was told that Islam was superior to all other religions and people in India aren't leading a righteous life. Qureshi told him that non-Muslims must be eradicated to create a world of Islam. He was asked to join IS for this," said Vijayan.

However, Ebin did not fall for this and returned to Kerala. The alleged conversion and radicalisation attempt happened when Merin was working with a BPO in Mumbai. Bestin had already attended Islamic study classes conducted by the IRF and forced Merin to get converted into Islam. Bestin soon embraced Islam and adopted the name Yahia while Merin took some time to convert and take the name Mariam.

"Ebin has also stated that Merin was forcibly converted into Islam by Bestin while living in Mumbai. Ebin's statement also said that he is afraid that Bestin might have forced Merin to join IS which could be the reason behind their missing," added Vijayan.

After Merin left home and embraced Islam, Ebin was helping his father look after their business at Thammanam in Kochi. Apart from commercial complexes, the family also owns a medical shop at Thammanam. Merin and Bestin were in a relationship since they were Class XI students.

