I was in my car waiting for a friend when a man walked into my vision.
My eyes scoped him out immediately because of his attire, which easily identified him as a Muslim.
He was talking on his mobile so was I. He was pacing up and down the bus stop, obviously having a serious discussion with the person at the other end of the line. Though I was chatting with my friend, my eyes involuntarily followed the man.
It was sometime before realization dawned upon me. I was involuntarily (and for no apparent reason and no ulterior motive) watching this man for he was different from the rest of the crowd. Different as in he was dressed differently from the others. He was dressed in a garb that identified him as a Muslim. And I was watching him. I also noticed so were the others in the bus stop.
It was then that it hit me bang in the solar plexus. Questions swirled. Was I watching him simply because he was dressed differently or was I watching him because he was a Muslim? If it was the former then it was okay, but if it was the latter then it was definitely not okay.
Knowing me as well as I do I knew it was not the latter. It cannot be. I am religion-less. So, I guess my eyes picked him out not only because he was dressed differently, but he was supremely confident in his skin, knowing fully well that he will always be the cynosure of all eyes for just being himself.
It is not easy to be confident, calm, composed, lovable and generous in spirit when in your own country, your own people, put you under the microscope for living your life the way you want to -just because you belong to a different religion.
I know it is happening regularly for I have numerous Muslim friends and the one question that is simmering under the surface is -why is my loyalty and my Indianess being questioned constantly? Why do I have to prove it every time I step out of my house?
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