With each passing day, the lines of secularism, tolerance and religious identity seems to be blurring fast not only in the nation but in the world at large. The recent events that took place during the mid of September 2015, made me sit back and think about many different dimensions that have been added to the identity of Muslim living in India or in any other part of the world.
Islamophobia, prejudice, bias and doubt are just to name a few things that have been attached to Muslim identity now for a long time. Being phobic towards people belonging to a certain religious identity is not something new. Books on history and literature are testimony to the fact that not one but many communities have been victimised due to their ethnicity. But for me, a child of the 90s , division on religious belief and virtues was something that came to the surface after a long passage of time.
When I hear people saying, “Despite being a Muslim she is….”, I feel a pinch. Oops! My friends that was too harsh. Recently our former president, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was also put under the same frame of words, “Despite being a Muslim….”. Sir may your soul rest in peace, but when it comes to politics no one shall be spared. Regardless of the fact that a few weeks back, people of the same nation wanted you on the currency notes.
One of the major problems our nation faces today is that we sometimes go over board when it comes to idolizing someone. We forget that every human has shades of grey and for some Dr APJ Abdul Kalam might not hold that much of significance as he might for others. With due respect to the departed soul, I feel pained when I see, men/women/children/youngsters standing under the big question mark, which politics has put on us.
If today I am able to write this blog, speak confidently and put my views/opinions across firmly yet with humility, it is somewhere my upbringing in a family which follows Islam to the best of its capabilities.
The Holy Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.) has said: “Atta libul ilm faridhatol kuli muslim.” This Hadith means: “Attainment of knowledge is a must for every Muslim.”
I am a Muslim and therefore, I carry every virtue with me that makes me a better human being.
Coming to the happening around the world, Tasleema Nasreen’s tweet after a 14 year old students was arrested reflects the thinking of a human who has learnt to see only shades of black. There will be only one question I would like to ask her,
“Ma’am how many young Muslim boys have you personally witnessed carrying bombs?”
The arrest of the boy speaks volumes about the prejudice and phobia that has gripped the West too hard. The same prejudice can also be seen in other parts of the world as well. Young Muslim boys are not given apartments on rent, Women clad in Hijab are seen suspiciously and the list goes on.
But on the other hand, as I scrolled through the news feed on my Facebook account, I was also happy to see that men, women, youngsters, people belonging to various communities/religions and ethnicities had come to support Ahmad. Within minutes people were sharing posts, updating statuses and using the hash-tag #IstandwithAhmad.
I began writing this blog with a question in mind and I saw too many blurred lines, my vision was not clear, but at the end I would say,
“Despite being a Muslim, I still have people around me to stand up for me.
Despite being a Muslim, Ahmad was showered with support from all over the world.
Despite being a Muslim, a young man was acquitted.
Despite being a Muslim, I see a world where blurring lines can be removed to give way to peace and brotherhood.”
PS: I don’t carry a gun or bomb with me, violence is against Islam. People who associate themselves in violence of any form are automatically not a part of the religion which teaches peace and brotherhood.
Note: Image used in this post is only for representational purpose.
