Friends,
I am posting here some of my thoughts, my experiences I had during my childhood and currently. I would like to know your views about my thoughts and also how you perceive others.
What exactly goes on in the mind of a Muslim?
I always used to wonder and think. I met many Muslims in my life and many of them are very close friends to me, I still felt that there was some part of them, which was hidden to me. That part of the private lives always made me to think, and also made me curious about what exactly goes on behind the curtains.
I grew up in Karnataka, a southern state of India, and in a district headquarter. My city has a population of 500,000 and we never had communal riots (even during Babri demolition). I had good number of friends who were Muslim, educated, doing well financially. But, still one question nagged me, what goes on in the mind of a Muslim. What do they think about me? What do they think about my Culture, my traditions?
For a Hindu, Muslim is one who has a long beard, has 4 wives and 20 children, who hates Hindus, but the opinions of Hindus is so feeble that at one time they criticize Muslims for being the cause of trouble in India, and at the same time tell that they are very honest and hard working. I grew up in a society, which mingled with Muslims freely with out any violence and with some mistrust and fear.
I really started to understand what goes on in their minds after I met some people who were very close to my heart and really opened a new dimension in my thoughts. I was surprised to know how little they knew about Hinduism and though they mingled freely with Hindus, but still they had a small hidden aversion towards Hindus and their beliefs.
At the same time, as I saw the challenges faced by the middle class Muslim families in India, and how they were coping with them, it made me realize that there was no difference in the lives of ordinary Hindus and Muslims. We all had the same problems, same emotion and same feelings.
I learnt about the insecurity in their minds and was at loss to reassure them. I felt the problem some how gets multiplied when it goes on to Muslims. I am not sure whether the problem grows bigger or the way Muslims perceive them adds more fears to their minds.
Perception wise Muslims in India have two challenges,
Change their the way they look at the problems and devise methods to overcome them.
Change the perception of the people around them (Hindus).
How do you achieve them? It is not just Muslims who can bring about a change; it is also the role of the Hindus who surround them to bring the change. Incidents like the Gujarat Riots create more mis-understanding between the communities and mask the Muslim minds towards rationalism.
More intercommunity interaction can always help in understand what goes on in the minds of One another. It helps us in understanding each other’s concerns and helps us build a better future for our children and ourselves. For myself, Journey into the Mind of a Muslim was a fascinating experience. I learnt a lot of their hidden culture, their beliefs and their mindset.
Victory, I am a muslim who grew up in Mysore city, in Karnataka State. As a child I never felt discriminated against, and went to a "good" school where people of all religions came. I had Hindu neighbours and their traditions fascinated me, and I was encouraged to learn more also about our Jain and Christian friends. I don't remember suspicion or hatred. I guess I was very lucky.
There was a lot of segregation among poorer people and the muslims usually were the poorest of the poor. That is so even today. At the time of the Satanic Verses there were the first racial riots ever in Mysore. Ordinary people had become polarised and prejudiced. That is a result of manipulation that is being cleverly orchestrated by some political parties for their own ends, and it grieves me deeply. But there are still people who seek dialogue and understanding and I hope that things will get better....
Victory ji, the perception that the Muslims are somewhat different compared to the non-Muslims is absolutely baseless. We are humans too, and care equally about the world in general. The impression that Muslim men have four wives( allowed by the religion ), and twenty kids, and a beard is also not very true. I grew up in Kuwait, and Pakistan, and hung out with people with all different religions and cultures, and never had any problem. Even in Pakistan, where sectarian riots are rampant these days, are in reality not commiteed by the average Pakistani Muslims, these acts of terrorism are commited by some people who have vested interests in de-stabilised Pakistan( God knows their motives ). It's very painfull to us, when we see a burned down Hindu temple, or a mosque, or even a non Muslim being killed in the name of religion. Islam, is a religion of peace, just like any other religion. If you are familiar with the basics of Islam, then you would agree with me that Islam in its true sense is very secular. Just to give you an example, extremeism of any sort is forbidden in the religion.
Further insights are always welcome by fellow guppies...
Thanks for sharing your childhood experience with us.
I am Muslimah, Born in Pakistan but raised in Saudia Arabia and now living in NY. I never felt being different in front of any Non-Believers in my entire life, obviously because i was surrounded by all Muslims.
But After September 11, things have changed and i know my path of life will be very difficult. These days when i walk around the streets of NYC, there are tons of thoughts go through my mind. Such as “Oh no! another one will start thinking that me and my family are terrorist”. That use to be my reaction in the beginning but now i have changed.
Life itself has become a Challenge, Before it was just a game. But how its a challenge and a game.
I love my religion and Proud to be a Muslim. We are all humans, even though our beliefs are different but we were made the same way. We all think differently besides the fact we are muslims. Those who have thoughts or feelings of hatred towards another Nation, I don’t think they are true Believers.
[This message has been edited by nia_khan (edited June 12, 2002).]
well its a pity that inspite of being nearly 20% of the population still a vast majority of indians or hindus still dont know muslims
yes its true there is this mind set about muslims being bearded and having four wives but i want to ask those people who have this notion how many muslims have they met in thier life time who have 4 wives?
about beards yes muslims will always be associated with it for religious reasons
but the irony is that a number of bollywood stars are muslims and none of them sport a beard.
and the media has also played a part in keeping this trend alive. you watch bollywood movies the gangster always has a side kick who is wearing a muslim prayer cap on his head which shows that he is a fearsome gangster.
television serials and dramas which deal with muslims often deal with only one subject thats bigamy.all this adds up to the already venomous campaign carried out by the facist
[quote]
Originally posted by kabir: well its a pity that inspite of being nearly 20% of the population still a vast majority of indians or hindus still dont know muslims
yes its true there is this mind set about muslims being bearded and having four wives but i want to ask those people who have this notion how many muslims have they met in thier life time who have 4 wives?
about beards yes muslims will always be associated with it for religious reasons
but the irony is that a number of bollywood stars are muslims and none of them sport a beard.
and the media has also played a part in keeping this trend alive. you watch bollywood movies the gangster always has a side kick who is wearing a muslim prayer cap on his head which shows that he is a fearsome gangster.
television serials and dramas which deal with muslims often deal with only one subject thats bigamy.all this adds up to the already venomous campaign carried out by the facist
[/quote]
I have found Indian Muslims to be very different from other Muslims. They tend to be more open-minded and integrated with non-Muslims. Their lives are about more than just their religion.
Victory, I am a muslim who grew up in Mysore city, in Karnataka State.
Namaskara Swamy,
Namma ooru Bellary. Nice to meet you here.
I agree that there is good friendship between Hindu and Muslims in karnataka, but dont you think that we still have so much hidden from each other. I never had any problem with Muslims and some of them are my best friends. However, I just put it in words, about what went on in my mind before I could know the reason for these Practices. Also, I believe there is a lot of prejudice in our thoughts and we generalise a lot of things. That's what I learnt not to do. You can never compare the Arab Muslims to Indian Muslims. Got my point.
ZulfiOKC,
I know very much that Muslims are no different from Hindus or anyone else. But, there was always this curiosity in me to know more about them. Muslims in rural areas are really very innocent and you will find that they are very far away from the current violent world.
nia_khan
I can understand your feelings. One of my friend's brother ( a muslim) always dreamt about studying in US. Unfortunately his visa is rejected twice after 9/11. I can see the disappointment on his face. After graduation ,he even left good job offers for the sake higher studies in US. But now it is nowhere, last week even UK rejected his VISA.
One of my friend (a muslim) was in Denver in september and I know how insecure and scared he was.
I think there is not enough sharing - perhaps the older generation was afraid their children would be attracted to the other religion? But there are occasionally initiatives that try to increase communication and understanding. A few years ago I was in Mysore, the students at the Indian Institute of Languages had organised a very interesting meeting, but few people came.
But I also want to say that many muslims themselves don’t understand about their own religion and are afraid to say so. Just like people of other religions. That is the first step.