For a world where we can live in relative harmony and to understand one another better, I am convinced that people need to connect and converse more. Bigotry and intolerance are invariably born out of ignorance and dogma. Although there should never be any compulsion to agree with the other side, or feel the need to shift allegiances, we should be respectfully tolerant of the other. This is a fundamental duty upon us all. We need to treat people how we expect to be treated ourselves.
All these thoughts have come about following a week or so of violent unrest in the UK recently. Ugly representations of a minority of racist thugs resurfaced across the country and many such as myself, were immediately catapulted to our childhood when racism was more rife and quite frankly, downright scary.
Recent events saddened me no end. If only people would take the time to get to know the other, they might see how much they misunderstand. Their preconceptions and misconceptions would undoubtedly be shaken. But without that bold move, they can justify the perpetuation of idiotic ideas.
In my own smaller sphere of life, from work to my social circle, I make a conscious effort to engage in dialogue with people who are very different from me, whether from a superficial perspective or otherwise. The impetus for that is because I want them to interact with me and therefore see all the things I represent – a Muslim, British older woman. Simply observing me from a distance without any direct interaction, is never going to allow others to make an informed decision of what they make of all the labels I represent. I welcome questions from others as it is an opportunity to educate them about myself.
Likewise, it’s equally important that I reciprocate and keep an open enquiring mind about anyone who is different from me, however that is measured. Bulldozing my way through life with a haughty, inflexible attitude is not conducive to character-building. I know that’s not my style anyway. I can recall so many conversations where I have been intrigued with the life experiences of someone else. Some of them have been fleeting encounters like a time when I took a three hour train ride to London and had a wonderful encounter with an English lady old enough to be my mother. We exchanged life stories and it was fascinating to hear about her own life. By the time we both stepped off the train in London, we smiled and hugged and then parted ways. Both of us had definitely left a lasting impression on the other.
Some life experiences with ‘different’ people have been more long-term but equally rewarding and invigorating. The commonality behind the differences is astounding and it proves we are all just humans vying for the same thing – our own safe sanctuary in this world whether in its literal sense or in terms of our emotional wellbeing. The hideous events of recent days only proves that there are, unfortunately, low-level humans who need a scapegoat to blame for their own failings. In doing so, they become blinded to reason and logic. Their loss.
I like to think of myself as a person of the world. I am not bound by geographical parameters. I have been imbued with the best of different cultures and am not dogmatically loyal to just one. It would surprise many when I say that Islam has provided the bedrock of a liberated mind. My own lived experiences in different continents, let alone countries, has been freeing as it has been enriching. I may not subscribe to other people’s ways but I am content to let them be as long as we agree to disagree. I would hope the same of them towards me.
What I do know is that is is extremely important for people’s lives to converge even if they touch momentarily and never meet again. Those encounters, however seemingly irrelevant, all work towards making us better educated and tolerant and humble.
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