I Was 40 When I Made My 1st Muslim Friend (in Bangalore, India)

A Story for Ramadan 🌙

I made my 1st Muslim friend in 2011 when I moved to India. She was a co-worker who helped me see the truth of her beautiful religion, and helped me to realign decades of misinformation I had in my head.

You see, in the U.S., even in southern California where I was raised, we are often taught that Muslim women are brainwashed to wear hijabs. Muslims (especially in the Middle East) were also definitely vilified as terrorists in the cinema back in the 20th century before I moved away.

EDUCATING ME!!

You know they say “There is no greater education than travel”? Well, that is most definitely true. Although, I was living in India, not travelling … but still.

I asked my co-worker if she’d help me learn about hijabs and burqas. She graciously said yes and took me to an Islamic boutique. There the staff welcomed me and taught me how to pin a hijab. I tried on all manner of apparel, too.

Best of all, THEY EDUCATED ME because gratefully I was curious enough to ask questions. The ladies in the shop shared stories. I heard first-hand how they view the outward symbolisms of their religion. I definitely learned they weren’t brainwashed!!! And I felt their love and kindness.

Since then I have lived in three Muslim-majority countries, places I feel MUCH SAFER in than in my native USA. The warmth and generocity and acceptance I’ve felt in those places has been a gift in my life.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I don’t know why I thought about that co-worker today but I’m still grateful to her. It was a moment of growth in my life that opened up my world and made me a better person (hope that doesn’t sound arrogant).

To all my fabulous and wonderful friends out there CELEBRATING RAMADAN for the next 27 days, I wish you a beautiful month!

And to my friends in PAKISTAN especially … wish I could be there with you.