I’m an indian-muslim who grew up watching the media growing its ways across the minds of this country. I’m an indian-muslim who grew up watching the IC814, the twin towers, the afghan war, the attack on parliament, the iraqi war (just a year after I visited Iraq on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Hussain A.S., the grandson of the Prophet), the gujarat riots — and many more.

All of the events mentioned above has one connection with me. They shaped my identity over the next 10 or so years. Yet one thing it did not shape is my belief and commitment to my country and my religion. It did not make me angry. It did not make me upset when I saw the gruesome war images and brotherhood calls through the media. It made me more intelligent and introspective — Today I wonder, how is it possible? Why do I defend the actions of US in afghan and iraq. Why am I critical of anyone who is critical of the States or Israel in the name of religion?

I can narrow my answer to one-simple thing. Secular Education. My upbringing with Hindus, Christians, Jews, Jains, and other sects in Islam made me accept and understand the ingenuity of each and every one of my them. Tolerating the differences was simply not enough. I started loving them. I did not have to practice their rituals and culture. I don’t need to believe in it either. All I had to do or did for that matter was — live and let live. Don’t judge. And at this juncture, this aspect of the Indian culture, which me and my friends for school share, is at a great threat.