Yes, I am ‘Hindustani Musalmaan’ And I Am Proud Of It!

Being born as an Indian citizen and a Muslim later, I believe that this is the best thing that could happen to me (I’ve put the adjective ‘Indian’ first because I consider myself an Indian first and then later, a Muslim. I do not adhere myself to any particular religion, caste, group, ethnicity or creed).

It is very well written in Islamic books that “O mankind, we have created you male and female, and appointed you races and tribes, so that you may know one another.” But seeing  today’s scenario, the perception around different communities and religions, rising Islamophobia, Rising fear and insecurities around people, it is evident that we don’t know each other as human beings but identify by relating to some group.

In these difficult times, I came across a poem on Social Media which speaks the heart out of every Muslim in our nation.

Here is the excerpt from the poem:

Sadak par cigerrete pitey jo azan sunai di mujhko

To yaad aya k wakt hai kya

Aur baat zehen me ye aayi, main kaisa Musalmaan hu bhai

Main Shiya hu ya Sunni hu, main Khoja hu ya Bohri hu

Main Gaon se hu ya Sheher se hu

Main Baghi hu ya Soofi hu

Main Qaomi hu ya Dhongi hu

Main Kaisa Musalmaan hu Bhai……

Main Sajda karne wala hu ya Jhatka Khaane wala hu

Main topi pehen kr firta hu ya Dadhi uda kr rehta hu

Main aayat coll se padhta hu ya filmy gaaney ramta hu

Main Allah Allah karta hu ya Sheikho se lad padta hu

Main kaisa Musalmaan hu bhai…….

Main Hindustani Musalmaan Hu…..

Dakkan se hu, UP se hu

Bhopal se hu, Delhi see hu

Kashmir se hu, Gujarat se hu

Har uchi neechi jaat se hu

Main hi hu julaha, Mochi bhi

Main Doctor hu, Darji bhi

Mujhme Geeta ka saar bhi hai, Ek urdu ka akhbaar bhi hai

Mera ek mahina Ramzan bhi hai, Maine kiya to ganga snan bhi hai

Apne hi taur se jeeta hu

Daaru Cigerrete bhi peeta hu

Koi neta meri nas nas me nahi, Main kisi party k bas me nahi

Main Hindustani Musalmaan hu

Khooni darwaza mujhme hai

Ek Bhool-Bhulaiya mujhme hai

Main Babri ka ek Gumbad hu

Main Sheher k beech me sarhad hu

Jhuggiyo me palti gurbat me

Madarso ki tooti si chatt me

Dango me badhakta shola Main

Kurtey par khoon ka dhabba Main

Main Hindustani Musalmaan Hu……..

Mandir ki chokhat meri hai

Masjid kay qibley mere hai

Gurudwarey ka Darbaar mera

Yeshu Kay Girjey mere hai

100 me se 14 hu lekin, 14 ye kam nahi padtey hai

Main purey 100 me basta hu, purey 100 mujhme bastey hai

Mujhe ek najar se dekh na tu, mere ek nahi 100 chehrey hai

100 rang key hai qirdaar mere, 100 qalam se likhi kahani hu

Main jitna Musalmaan hu bhai, main utna Hindustani hu

Main Hindustani Musalmaan hu, main Hindustaani Musalmaan hu……..

After reading this poem, I realise that there are all kinds of people in this world. Similarly there are all kinds of Muslims in this world. Educated, working, Professionals, Illiterate, those who commit crimes, poor, rich, middle class who is only bothered about their well being etc etc. I live in India and for that matter I have majority of my friends Hindus. I celebrate all Festivals with them, work with them, party with them. They are the world to me after my family and we do share each and every moment with them.

So as a little gesture towards humanity, let’s drop the perception about any community and work towards building humanity as a whole.