After lunch, writing his homework, my 10 years old son asks, ” Mom.. if I speak Muslim prayer, I become Muslim” ?
One question ignites thousand questions to my mind ! My little boy why do you need to think on religion! Why you are worried for Muslim prayer when you have never bothered to recite any prayer before! Who is giving you such weird thought!
The story unfolds ahead. Controlling the storm of thoughts I reply, No beta.. prayer is a beautiful medium to interact with the Supreme God. It is a conversation. You do not become Muslim by reciting any prayer.
Taking a breeze of relief, my son tells that his Muslim classmate forcefully stopped him on the way and asked him to speak whatever he speaks. Not indulging in any fight, in hurry to catch the school bus, he did the same. Once he finished speaking after him , the little boy of his class ( must be of same age) informs him that you just said a Muslim prayer so you are now Muslim !!!!
He further informs that the boy is mighty and can hit him so he thought of better to go with the flow than actually confront him !!!
Yes, I agree with him because probably I have always taught him that do not get in to fights rather try to avoid and skip the situation cleverly.
I know probably in days to come I will empower him with right knowledge of Hinduism and other religions so he remains strong internally to deal any such situations.
I know we will come up with hundreds of answers to speak – to reply-to deal with such situation
I know we will have 50 different alternatives to react to this situation.
But I could not find answer that
Why the little 10 years old boy wants to make the other little boy Muslim??? Why that little innocent kid is on mission? and who are the people who are filling these little kids with such poisonous thoughts.. why kids are not being spared to play, laugh, study, think, read , invent and explore…?
I am sad today. I always thought that politicians, religious heads, community heads are playing the dirty games to create tensions between communities, religions for their self interest. The common man be it Hindu – Muslim or of any religion is busy and super involved in his daily duties and family life.
But this small incident proves me wrong.
India is a secular country. Unity in diversity is what we believe in. We know and accept that with each state our, traditions, culture , cuisine, language, dressings, festivals change and we love that. We can not think of uniform people with uniform mindset, with uniform language, with uniform dressing with uniform festivals…noooo..never.
We can not think India without Hindus – Muslims- Christians- JSikhs- ains- Budhhists- Parsis.. ! We can boast for everyone. One can never find a Hindu without Muslim friend and Muslim without Hindu friend. All fights on one side but we will be ready to die for our dear friends -whatever religion they belong to . We are the people who welcome all festival with equal thrill. Diwali crackers, Holi colors go in harmony with Eid Davats and Christmas celebrations.
Terrorists on this earth do not belong to any religion for what they are doing is brutal and against mankind. But when I am telling a story of 10 years old kids ( one Hindu and one Muslim studying in Jesus school – isn’t it the most beautiful combination) – I am definitely not referring to any anti social element here. All I say is that we the common people should follow our religion, perform our duties but more than that must give right and correct understanding and ethics to our kids. We must educate them to respect all religion and people . If we as family impart the right understanding to our kids to develop respect, acceptance and love for all religion and people, our unity will ensure our growth.
p.s.real story dated 9-7-15