What is 'fortnite game' that used in Ghaziabad for religious conversion?

Last week, a religious conversion case was reported at the Kavi Nagar Police Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Two people were named as accused: Shahnawaz Khan alias Baddo, a resident of Thane, Maharashtra, and Nanni alias Abdul Rehman, a maulvi at a mosque in the Sanjay Nagar area.

Abdul Rehman has been arrested and further investigation is underway. Police Deputy Commissioner Nipun Agarwal stated that during the investigation, evidence was found linking Abdul Rehman to the conversion of a minor Jain boy and two Hindu boys. Police have seized electronic evidence and affidavits related to the case.

The incident came to light when the family of a Jain minor filed a complaint at the Kavinagar police station. The boy's father noticed changes in his behaviour, including covertly leaving the house five times a day, saying he was going to the gym. However, the father discovered that the boy was actually visiting a mosque and participating in Islamic activities. Upon further investigation, the father found Islamic materials on the boy's phone and laptop.

The accused reportedly employed a specific modus operandi to attack the teens using the popular game "Fortnite." Some Muslim children created fake Hindu IDs and interacted with teenagers, asking them to recite Quranic verses to win the game. The communication took place through the 'Discord chat' app, where the teenagers were shown videos with Zakir Naik and Tariq Jameel to influence them to convert to Islam.

Four minors, including two from Ghaziabad and one from Faridabad and one from Chandigarh, were reportedly identified as converts using this method. Police found that the online game required users to recite Quranic verses to succeed. The teenagers were shown videos of radical Muslim preachers Zakir Naik and Tariq Jameel to further persuade them to convert.

The Home Ministry and the Uttar Pradesh government requested a detailed report on the alleged use of online gaming apps to target children. The investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to apprehend Shahnawaz Khan, who is currently on the run.

What is Fortnite game?

Fortnite, developed by Epic Games, is a popular battle royale game that pits players against each other in a fight for survival. It follows a familiar format where players are dropped onto a map along with 99 others, either alone or as part of a team. The goal is to collect weapons and items as you navigate to the center of the map, all while taking out opponents. The ultimate goal is to be the last player or team standing.

Unlike traditional multiplayer games, Fortnite features a single large map for each season. In the early stages of the game, encounters with other players are relatively rare. However, as the match progresses, a closing ring forces the players closer. If they are caught outside the ring, the characters will perish.

One unique aspect of Fortnite is its building mechanics. Players have the ability to build various structures such as forts, traps, and defensive cover using collected materials. This adds a strategic element to the game, requiring players to master shooting and building skills to succeed.

Encourage Islamic practices

Muslims created fake IDs with Hindu names in 'Fortnite' and played with unsuspecting players from the Hindu and Jain communities. If the Hindu boys lost the game, the accused would force them to recite Islamic verses, claiming it would help them win. They would then let the boys win to earn their trust.

Once trust was established, the victims were gradually lured into following Islamic practices. This involved sharing videos of Zakir Naik and exposing them to Islamic discourse to influence beliefs and perceptions of him. The intention was to encourage the victims to embrace Islam.

After converting to Islam, the victims were shown videos of the notorious Tablighi cleric Tariq Jamil to further radicalize them. These videos were intended to make them more extreme in their religious beliefs and practices.

WhatsApp conversations

According to the Ghaziabad deputy police commissioner, people from the Muslim community dressed up as Hindus in the popular game app 'Fortnite' and targeted teenagers. His method was to challenge minors to recite Quranic verses during the game. After the teens successfully completed the game, the accused sent them videos featuring radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, with the intention of converting them to Islam.

Police have gathered significant evidence to support their investigation. This includes affidavits signed by affected minors, as well as email correspondence, chat transcripts, WhatsApp conversations, and video statements.

Zakir Naik, who is mentioned in the case, is known for his controversial speeches and has been accused in multiple cases related to money laundering. He left the country in 2016.

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