Do Indians in America fear Islamophbia, even though most of them are Hindu or Catholic?

@TheHorse (218463)
Walnut Creek, California
December 6, 2015 6:30pm CST
Most of the people in the apartment complex where I live are Indian (from India). After 9/11, I noticed that some Indians I'd meet (here in CA) would go out of their way to mention (just in passing) that they were Indian, or Hindu, or Catholic, not Pakistani or Muslim. My sense was they feared Americans would lump them in with terrorist types, and shun them. I'm naturally really friendly, and my tendency is to be really nice to the Indian people in our complex. As with many Californians, some are surprised, and some are a tad cold, but most respond in kind, with friendly conversation. India is mostly non-Muslim, while Pakistan is largely Muslim. Do you think that Indians where you live worry that they'll be lumped in with Muslims, and induce fear or scorn? Or are they pretty chill about it all? I also wonder about Pakistanis, whether Muslim or not, but I've asked about Indians simply because so many people I say hello to on a daily basis are Indian. An interesting factoid about India that I only recently learned (chatting with a neighbor while watching the lunar eclipse): There are many languages spoken in India (I knew that), and not everyone speaks Hindi (I hadn't realized that). Therefore, it's often the case that people from India will not be able to have a conversation with other people from India.
11 people like this
8 responses
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339432)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 15
I don't think Indians in Australia would feel discriminated against although if they've recently arrived perhaps they would. I think those that wear Muslim dress might be a bit cautious in their relationships in the current climate. We have some ignorant people here who push their barrow under the banner of 'reclaim Australia'. Of course, banning a morning prayer in schools or opting not to have nativity displays in shop windows hasn't helped.
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Dec 15
Why did they decide not to have Nativity scenes in some store windows that otherwise would have?
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339432)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 15
@TheHorse I don't know if Muslims objected or if others just thought they might or if the stores were just trying to avoid getting 'involved'. Mostly PC gone mad again.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Dec 15
@JudyEv PC gone mad frustrates me, and I'm a bleeding heart Liberal.
1 person likes this
Heather Echola
@GardenGerty (160611)
• United States
7 Dec 15
I really do not know. I see a few people from India now and again. I would not know a Pakistani from an Indian unless they told me. I wonder if all western white people are assumed by others to be the same, whether American, French, English, etc.Are all southerners considered to be "redneck". Places like myLot go a ways toward us understanding that we can all be different but still get along.
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Dec 15
Very true about MyLot. California CAN be the same way, since we have such diversity here. But there's also an overall air of caution in these parts.
1 person likes this
kiran8
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
7 Dec 15
Since all Indians look the same , I guess the Hindus and Christians fear that they may be thought of as Muslims.Even among the Muslims most of them hate what is happening because it is bringing a bad name to them as a community because of a few ...I tell them to voice their displeasure openly rather than keep mum give the impression that they are supporting what is happening ..
1 person likes this
kiran8
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
8 Dec 15
@TheHorse It is the same here in India, they never voice their views or opinion openly, probably because of fear or whatever ! We have had so many terror attacks and you never hear the Muslim community come out in the open and condemn this which sends out a wrong signal..
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Dec 15
Yes, some Conservatives here complain that Muslims aren't vocal enough about denouncing the actions of the extremists.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Dec 15
@kiran8 This suggests that the terrorists hae succeeded in some degree. People (and perhaps true Muslims in particular) are afraid to stand up to them.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (471253)
• Switzerland
7 Dec 15
I do not think that Indians feel discriminated here in Switzerland, no more than any other foreigner living in Switzerland.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (471253)
• Switzerland
7 Dec 15
@TheHorse Switzerland is a free country, yes American are welcome. Here in the south we speak Italian, this is something I love, because it's my native language, but most Swiss speak also French and German, that is the most common language in Switzerland.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Dec 15
@LadyDuck Could I get around Switzerland with English and bad French?
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Dec 15
Sounds like a cool Country. Are Americans welcome there? I know there's the stereotype of the "brutish American," but we're not all like that. Et je parle un peu le Francais.
1 person likes this
S George
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
7 Dec 15
India is a country with different cultures and many languages and different climates also. In each state their own local languages. We communicate with each other English and our national language Hindi. It is true that 100% people are not able to communicate with this languages. We have a powerful manpower resource which many countries lacks. And you may know one thing India is the country where large number of Muslims stays - which is bigger than any Muslim countries. 9/11 attack definitely shocked the country and I think it is over and regain the natural situation.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Dec 15
I had assumed that most people there spoke at least some Hindi or English, but my Indian neighbor said that many don't. We didn't talk percentages, though.
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Dec 15
@shshiju Is India like the Philippines, in that some English is taught in most schools?
S George
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
8 Dec 15
@TheHorse If they spoke some Hindi or English ,they are masters at their local languages. In many countries they give less importance for foreign languages to communicate. If you go there you have to learn their languages for communication.
1 person likes this
Sherry
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
7 Dec 15
I can see why Indians would mention that they are not Muslims. Since 9-11 there have been many attacks on Sikhs who were wearing the traditional turban. Even if not attacked, they often attract stares.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Dec 15
Sikhs looks like Sikhs to me.
1 person likes this
Sherry
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
7 Dec 15
@TheHorse Lots of people don't know the difference.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Dec 15
@norcal Weird. But maybe stuff like that is obvious to me because of where I live.
Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
7 Dec 15
Many people of similar ethnic appearance to Muslim communities will naturally be concerned that Islamophobia will be directed at them as well, as will the millions of decent Muslims.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Dec 15
That was my thought. Here in CA, it can be difficult to tell who feels threatened, as few people make eye contact or acknowledge strangers.
Siduri
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
5 Feb 16
I've mentioned this before, so if this is a repeat, forgive me. About the time of 9/11, I lived near a Sikh center. For months afterward, the center hung a banner noting that the Sikh community condemned the 9/11 attacks. One wouldn't expect such a banner from, say, a Lutheran church.