Archbishop Jonathan Ansar Biography

Archbishop Jonathan Ansar (India)

The Archbishop Jonathan Ansar (Abu Zafar Sirajuddin Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar), born December 10, 1950. As a young child he was trained in Islamic Religious Education to become a "Hafiz" - one who memorizes the Koran from cover to cover. As a Muslim youth leader he opposed conversion of Muslims to Christianity and Christians preaching the Gospel in Burma. He published an article "Jesus Died in Kashmir", a two-page handout which stated that Jesus was not crucified, but instead another person who looked like him was crucified. The handout also stated that Jesus went to Kashmir, where he died a natural death and was buried. On 14 February 1970 Ansar had a vision and was hospitalized. When discharged from hospital, he decided to follow Jesus, which quickly estranged him from his family. Later while visiting a Roman Catholic Church, he was refused communion. Afterward he entered a Baptist church where he was offered communion and baptised on 10 April 1970. He changed his name from Syed Mohamed Ansar Hussain to Jonathan Ansar.

Is a Bible teacher and preacher. He trained and sent church leaders to various field of ministry within India and abroad. He preaches and teaches through television programs in UK, India and abroad. A biography was transmitted in 2001 on ‘In Depth’ program hosted by David Aldous, aired on God TV, UK. 


Metropolitan Archbishop Jonathan Ansar, previously known as Syed Mohammed Ansar Hussain, was born to Abdullah and Sakina Sultan at Mumbai, India into the Royal Orthodox Muslim family. His mother is the great great granddaughter to the Last Mughal Emperor of India, Abu Zafar Sirajuddin Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar (popularly known as Bahadur Shah II), and great granddaughter to Mirza Jawan Bakht. He was educated in both religious and secular education. Archbishop Jonathan Ansar was born in an Orthodox Muslim family. In the year 1963, when he was studying to become a Doctor of Medicine, circumstances led him to leave his studies and join the Army, where he was commissioned as an officer in the Commando Force. In 1971 he was wounded while on the Front Line in the battle which resulted in his having to walk permanently with crutches. He was medically unfit to continue in the Military Service and was boarded out by request.

As a young child he was trained in Islamic Religious Education to be a ‘Haffiz’ , which means ‘the one who memorized the Koran from cover to cover.’ As he left the army and went back home in Rangoon (Burma), an influential Muslim youth Movement asked him to join them as General Secretary of their Organization. He accepted and therefore served as a Muslim youth leader in 1971. He became bitter against Christians who were preaching the Gospel in Burma. As he wanted to prevent Muslims getting converted to the Christian fold, he published an article "Jesus Died in Kashmir", a two page pamphlet which states that Jesus was not crucified on the cross, but instead of him another person who looked like Jesus was crucified. The pamphlet states that Jesus came away from that place and died a natural death in Kashmir where his grave is still there till this day. As a former gang member Jonathan had learnt martial arts and reached five duns above black belt.

After publishing that very article, one night as he was writing letters regarding how to stop Christian preachers reaching Muslims, he suddenly experienced a startling vision and became stiff in his whole body. His eyes were covered with a thick darkness and he was not able to see anything for a long time. He was falling into a deep pit. As he was falling he called out the names of all the gods, prophets and religious teachers he knew, but he continued falling. Then a thought came into his mind to call the name of Jesus, the one whose people he persecuted. He never wanted to call the name of Jesus. But there was no other option left so he called out the name of Jesus and immediately he stopped falling and remained in mid-air.

Within that thick darkness he saw a small light coming out from a pinpoint area which soon occupied the whole space of darkness. The light was shinning with golden rays coming out from it. Then he noticed a small thing which seemed to be a shaded image of a cross which grew into a huge cross and blood started falling like waterfalls from it, slowly at first and then gradually dripping faster until it was like a waterfall. While watching the same vision, the cross came very close to him and passed through his body. He then heard a voice saying " I have chosen you to bear my name among all nations" When he regained his consciousness the next day, he realized that he had been admitted to a mental hospital by his parents where he spent 10 days. Although he had not lost his mind, his parents believed he had because he had changed as a result of the vision.

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