It’s a self reflection in the context of the ongoing ‘hijab row’ on Kerala.
I remember it as if it were yesterday when I was a little child, holding my sister’s hand and going to the Bhagavathi temple near my home to watch the temple festival.
When I was a student in a Muslim-managed school where the majority of students were Muslims, some of my classmates would come wearing a black mundu (black dhoti) during the Sabarimala season.
We used to call them Swamy, Swamy. We used to show them more care than usual at that time. None of us felt scared when we saw them in a black dress!
During my college days, whenever I went to the mosque, my best friend Prabhakaran would wait for me outside. He didn’t seem scared to see me then!
When I was working in Delhi, my employer, who was a devout lady, would take the staff along with her whenever she went to the temple.
I, the only Muslim in the group, would walk around the temple premises until she returned after the puja. I never felt scared after seeing her!
Whenever I go to my friend Senthil Kumaran’s house, he would arrange a space for me at his house to pray there. He never felt scared seeing me praying!
I have photographed all the historic temples in Tamil Nadu. I have never felt my faith crumbling.
Even today, the lower caste Hindus of my village participate in many of the celebrations held at the Kodinhi Mosque, built by the Sufi scholar and warrior Mampuram Syed Alavi Thangal. This tradition has been going on for decades.
Even today, during the festival at the Bhagavathi temple, a feast is prepared for Muslims at the temple. No one feels scared seeing that!
That’s why it hurts me most when I hear that other students are scared of seeing their classmate’s headscarf.
While the Quran calls for adherence to pure monotheism, it strictly prohibits insulting other faiths.
The Prophet, who stood up seeing a funeral procession of a Jew, and was asked by his followers if it was the body of a Jew. The Prophet replied, “It is the body of a man.” That prophet is my guiding spirit.
My religion is not a sunscreen I put on my skin. It is a feeling that permeates my entire life. But it doesn’t teach me to hate other religions.
Now, I am really scared as I see the number of people around us, who carry the poison of religious hatred in their hearts, ever increasing!
Picture: Muslim community leaders being welcomed at Bhagavati temple in my village