If you were to be diplomatic perhaps you would answer: a lady with hijab, a man wearing a skull cap or a lady wearing a cross?

Perhaps if you were honest, a scary man with a big beard, an aloof and unapproachable woman with a frown on her forehead, judging everyone?

Are you worried that if you call yourself religious, you too will be tarnished with the same “brush” that people will shrink away from you, tiptoeing away from the painting in the museum which isn’t talked about in high circles of society?

It seems that religious is a word that isn’t often used in western countries, it brings up negative connotations. This does not mean people are not moral, far from it, but religious is no longer a term used to describe their “belief” either in something or a belief in atheism.

In that background, being a person of faith it sometimes feels as if you are an outsider, someone different, someone condemned to “heresy” in a comic twist of context. You feel your actions might be watched and judged harsher than the day of judgement/day of atonement (a concept shared by the Abrahamic religions). That your behaviour is seen as representative of all Christians/ all Muslims, if anyone should catch you on a bad day – they would think all hindus react the same?

This might be the view of a few, but should we feel constrained and bitter at the focus and attention, the heavy burden and cross placed on us?

But perhaps see this as our time to represent our faith; to portray the humanity of our teachings and to live in peace with others. Faith is not a hardship but a choice we have made to follow; it is not a task for us to covert and preach to those who aren’t interested, being unwanted visitors on the doorstep…but a way of life for us, the reason for life, though it isn’t often shared by all, but it doesn’t stop us from enjoying the experiences of life, taking part in the “big picture”.

Whilst we open our doors of worship to everyone to come and join us, to see how we “worship”, this is a chance for us to show how we really are, as individuals, as representatives of our faith and citizens of the multi racial and cultural society we all enjoy and live in.

As Tariq Ramadhan states “there is no doubt that some will continue to identify themselves over and against the West, as the “other” and to complain that in these places no ones likes religion or believers”. By holding such views we are holding ourselves back, doing injustice to our religion which is not just to be practised in places of worship, but in society, in acts of kindness.

Whilst there maybe those out there who misunderstand religion, distrust those who practise such doctrines, by being that person that your principles teach you to be, perhaps you can change one person’s mind…

As people of faith, let us try and change the world, by first changing the perception of those around us, of the “religious”, by showing our humanity, as fellow citizens of the world, who also care about ending poverty, climate change and being better people.

Our differences and belief do not divide us from humanity; there maybe different reasons for believing in this life, but we are in the same position, all seeking to do something worthwhile with our lives, whether it happened by chance or through the will of God.

by Sajida Zahra Manji

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