The Star E-dition

SAMEER NAIK

SOMETIMES I wonder what it would be like to have parents of the same religion. Would it have changed the person I am today? Would it have made me a better or a worse person? Would it have changed the course of my life?

But when I have this bizarre thought, I always come to the same conclusion: I wouldn’t change my background for anything in this world.

You see, I come from a very unique home: my mother is a proud Indian Muslim woman and my father is a proud Indian Hindu man. Marriage between Muslims and

Hindus is frowned upon. Back in the day, it was almost unheard of. It was unacceptable.

But these days I have noticed a few more of us “mixed breeds” popping up here and there. Let’s be clear, though, coming from a mixed background has its challenge just like any other family dynamic, but the good has always outweighed the bad, and always will.

If anything, I have always felt that I am fortunate to be guided by parents with different religions. My parents have taught me to be open-minded, to be respectful of all religions and races, and to see everyone as equal. This idea been drummed into my and my siblings’ heads ever since we were little kids.

I am proud of my Indian heritage, proud of my Hindu and Muslim heritage, and incredibly proud of my South African heritage. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Naik is senior writer

Metro

en-za

2022-09-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thestar.pressreader.com/article/281809992763573

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