Riaz Ahmed Bijarani, the station house officer (SHO) of Matli police station in Badin district, on Wednesday said that seven members of a Hindu family have converted to Islam through his efforts.

SHO Bijarani made the claim when a ceremony was underway for the conversion of the family at the police station's mosque. The peasant family belongs to the Bheel community residing in Huri area of Tando Allahyar district.

Bijarani informed Dawn that the family — comprising three adults and four minors aged 5, 8, 10 and 12 years, respectively — entered into the fold of Islam after reciting the kalma at the hand of prayer leader Moulana Mazhar Depar. He added that the converts were also renamed by the prayer leader according to their wishes.

"I will continue my efforts to preach Islam in the future too," he said, explaining that he had contacted the head of the family through their relatives living in Matli, who had earlier embraced Islam.

The 55-year-old head of the family Nim Bheel — now named Allah Bux Shaikh — while talking to newspersons said that they were invited by the police officer. After being impressed by the teachings of Islam they decided to embrace it as their new religion, he added.