By eating in secret, pulling down the curtains on
restaurants, taking bribes after Iftar, a woman covering up in Hijab or playing
spiritual records than Bollywood songs in the buses, is not hyper-religiosity
but simply a mark of respect towards the holy month of Ramadan. Those who fail
to understand this and blame all such acts on radicalisation should see a
mirror. This does not mean that people will change forever, or not sin or a
woman may again give up her headscarf. But let's respect the essence of this
holy festival and not mock those who try to observe it.
Also, those of us living in the West may fail to
understand that the Ramadan is like a festival and there is a change in overall
societal mood. The children are excited and elders in humility. Those who
believe seek forgiveness and refuge. Those in ill health seek to get well.
PS: The teacher has every right to suddenly wear an
Abaya and remove it as well. This is a simple act of respect for the Holy month
and nothing more. She may choose not to use it later or may continue wearing
it, but let there be no coercion or denigration for what one does of their own
free will. The school should have apologised to her than to those who are
making hue and cry.
©Mudasir Firdosi
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