Storekeeper changes robber’s religion

He gave him creative name…kinda ironic. :smiley:

Storekeeper changes robber’s religion
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Storekeeper changes robber’s religion**

Thursday, June 04, 2009
News Desk

NEW YORK: A potential victim became a compassionate counsellor during a recent robbery attempt, changing the would-be criminal’s mind — and apparently his religion.

Storekeeper Mohammad Sohail was closing up his Long Island convenience store just after midnight on May 21 when — as shown on the store’s surveillance video — a man came in wielding a baseball bat and demanding money.

“He said, ‘Hurry up and give me the money, give me the money!’ and I said, ‘Hold on’,” Sohail recalled in a phone interview with CNN on Tuesday, after the store video and his story was carried on local TV.

Sohail said he reached under the counter, grabbed his shotgun and told the robber to drop the bat and get down on his knees. “He’s crying like a baby,” Sohail said. “He says, ‘Don’t call police, don’t shoot me, I have no money, I have no food in my house.’”

Amidst the man’s apologies and pleas, Sohail said he felt a surge of compassion. He made the man promise never to rob anyone again and when he agreed, Sohail gave him $40 and a loaf of bread.

“When he gets $40, he’s very impressed, he says, ‘I want to be a Muslim just like you,’” Sohail said, adding he had the would-be criminal recite the Kalima. “I said ‘Congratulations. You are now a Muslim and your name is Nawaz Sharif Zardari.’”

When asked why he chose the hybrid of two Pakistani leaders’ names, the Pakistani immigrant laughed and said he had been watching a South Asian news channel moments before the confrontation. Sohail said the man fled the store when he turned away to get the man some free milk.

Re: Storekeeper changes robber’s religion

[quote]
Sohail said the man fled the store when he turned away to get the man some free milk.
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And you guys believe that this guy is true follower of his religion.. Good for you

Re: Storekeeper changes robber’s religion

HAHA .... give me 1000$ and you can name me mushraraf.

Re: Storekeeper changes robber’s religion

Point a gun at me and I will say I am "Shaka Zulu" from star system Alpha Romulus

Re: Storekeeper changes robber’s religion

Funny…:rotfl:

Glad to know you are on sale.

If someomne pays you 2000$ can you be called 'Surayya Bhopali' :-)

Which Guy? The one who tried to rob?

Who cares?

Read the post. He was not at gunpoint at the time of agreeing to recite kalmah.

He changed his views after he was given money and food and was impressed by the humble nature of the person with gun.

Read above again.

Re: Storekeeper changes robber’s religion

Why do we Pakistanis have to see such filth as you can see from the comments by people of an enemy country?

Its an excellent news and a positive one!

Good question.

Anything positive related to muslims and Pakistani is a taboo these days but it is far from reality.

You have a great observation in noticing why people from India or Indian interest reacted negatively to the thread.

Re: Storekeeper changes robber’s religion

Once in a blue moon, it is encouraging to view the media coverage of an honest, hardworking an compassionate Pakistani American.

Storekeeper changes robber’s mind and apparently his religion:New York-News 4 Kids:New York (U.S.A.) Children’s School Activities,New York (U.S.A.) Kids Book Store,Weird Odd News 4 Kids from New York (U.S.A.),A potential victim became a compassionate

Storekeeper changes robber?s religion

CNN || Merciful storekeeper changes robber’s mind, religion

Something must be done to get rid of negativity about Pakistan and that too on Pakistani forums. It seems like a concerted effort by the enemy to demoralize Pakistanis. The role of mods needs to be improved to deal with a seemingly minor but in reality a major issue. We are not here to waste our time on discussing the perceived “negativity” of a positive news and that too by enemy number one.

Let not a few hijack and destroy the nice atmosphere that made us stay on GS since years. The WWW is a boundary less medium and the feel good factor about Pakistan even at all odds should be ensured.

I am quite sure they do not allow such filth about their country in their forums. Ours was a balanced, full of energy and positive gupistan. Maybe not so anymore.

“When he gets $40, he’s very impressed, he says, ‘I want to be a Muslim just like you,’”

Whether at gunpoint or due to the lure of $ 40, he did become a Muslim :) Congrats on getting another one into the fold !!

don't confuse things. You cannot digest anything good about Pakistanis.

He was not trying to convert him at gunpoint but dealing with a robbery. It was later that he himself asked about being Muslim.

Can Hindus ever change? Never!

Yeah, sure…:snooty:

Re: Storekeeper changes robber’s religion

I saw the video, the shopkeeper had a big black rifle pointed at the black guy all the time......all the black guy was saying "please don't shoot me"..."Please don't shoot me"...."You are a great guy"...."Your are a nice man"

Also, in yesterday's news the Pakistani shopkeeper was arrested and could be fined $30,000.00 for selling drug related items (bongs all shapes and sizes) to an undercover police officer.

boss its "surma bhopali".

And please I wont mind calling by that name even if one doesnt pay me any money. I am proud to be a bhopali.

Re: Storekeeper changes robber’s religion

Here is the video

Re: Storekeeper changes robber’s religion

wow....amazing.

Obviously it bothered you enough to write an answer saying 'you care'. ;-)

The point of all this is the shopkeeper had a big heart.

They shook hands and his gun was pointed straight down to the ground.

No one is saying or assuming he did really become muslim. Its the whole gesture of the shopkeeper which is commendable. Deal with it and digest it.