I do not like labelling people as racist. I do not like the use of the word 'racists' at all.
I am a Muslim and I attend a Catholic college. I have never been subject to any form of racism during my time in school although I have been subject to what I call a lack of understanding. In my earlier years I would often be asked 'If you're a Muslim why do you come here?'. My reply was always, 'My parents like Catholic education and there is no harm in learning about different races or religions is there?'
Sometimes it is easy to get offended. One thing I do not like is when people make uninformed comments.
Last year, in year ten, we had a subject called 'Religion and Society'. Here, we learnt about different world religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. During one of our lessons on Islam one of the girls in my class pronounced 'I hate Muslims, the world would be better without them.' Slightly offended I bit my lip, turned around and said 'I'm a Muslim,' to which she replied, with a slightly confused face, 'But you're nice.'
Clearly she didn't have much knowledge of world religions. Her view was that of the uninformed general public: she associated Islam simply with terrorists, bombs and burqas. With so many negative images surrounding Islam, it is important for students to know someone who can prove the stereotypes wrong and change their perception.
I've come across many people who are 'surprised' when they find out I am a Muslim. At school I am always willing to participate in religious activities and many people do not realise I am not Catholic until the subject comes up in a class. I appreciate the Catholic faith for its teaching to love one another and refrain from being self-centered.
I often try to be helpful in explaining aspects of my Islamic culture, including the celebration of Ramadan. To me, it is clear that when people have at least a basic understanding of diverse cultures and religions they tend to be more accepting. Does it really matter what religion you follow or which God you believe in if you are a good person, and treat everyone how you would like to be treated?
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