FOLLOWING A FAITH signifies following a path. So does absorbing other faiths mean diverting onto another path? Should branching out and understanding other religions be seen as negatively as it is by some communities?
These questions become even more notable during university, where we are exposed to a wide range of students from a wide range of backgrounds. However, there tends to be a barrier preventing us from stepping over the line of our religious or non-religious values and beliefs, in fear that we will betray the community from which we belong, or that we just don’t want to know about other ways people live because we’ve been told it’s different and unusual. But how will we ever understand ourselves if we find it too challenging to understand others?
At university, we are provided with ready-made religious societies for different faiths; for those who want to ‘belong’ and be accepted by people who value the same things as us. Yet how can we automatically assume that we will understand them any more than we understand people of other beliefs?
Take the Islamic Society for example. I cannot really assume that because I am Muslim, I’ll get along with all members of this group and we will instantly become friends, have lots in common, and laugh at the same things. It doesn’t work that way.
As much as I think it’s important to be united in faith, it is equally as important to be united with society, with everyone. Another Muslim might follow the same faith in a different way, and thus isolate themselves into a group that think the same way they do. I am not making accusations or implying that they are narrow minded; I merely feel that the presumptions we make are often based on prejudice, and the romanticism of everyone being the same isn’t realistic. For example, I could just as easily find more in common with a Jewish person, a Roman Catholic or a Scientologist. We may find similarities in our perspectives of life and realise that we don’t need faith to bind us together, yet would simultaneously maintain a difference in what we believe, which is probably more special.
There have been numerous attempts to merge different faith groups in an act of peace and understanding, and many people are deeply committed to promoting and bringing this issue to the attention of the public. One such example is a local theatre group called ‘MuJew’, which combines students from Muslim and Jewish backgrounds and demonstrates the way they are able to work together without facing contradictions in their religious beliefs. Earlier this year, during their performance ‘24 Hour City’ at the Royal Exchange Theatre, I forgot about the diversity and was amazed at what they had achieved together. Despite the frequent tensions between the two religious groups, the group of actors had bonded over activities such as knitting and regular picnic outings, portraying the ultimate image of idyllic harmony.
There are more events such as this being organised to invoke younger generations, as the ‘MuJew’ group have recently performed in front of school kids in Manchester. In addition to this, the interfaith based ‘Co-Exist’ event that took place at the MCC in December achieved its aim in uniting students from a range of religious backgrounds by offering workshops that allow everyone to mix and bond over aspects other than their faith. This groundbreaking event implemented a wider understanding of faith and friendships to change the way in which future generations look at religion; mainly through encouraging the exchange of knowledge rather than preventing people from thinking outside the box.
When I first began my degree, I suppose I was looking for those with similar beliefs, assuming it would bring instant friendship. This was probably more of an attempt to compensate for being so far from home. However, I have now learnt that the prejudices that we make based purely on religious grounds could inadvertently cut people off, and prevent a learning experience that would be regretted later on in life.
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