Bridges of Faith

Research shows children from interfaith homes often develop stronger empathy. Without a prescribed doctrine, they cultivate personalised values. What more, experts say it even boosts traits like open-mindedness and questioning skills. But are there challenges? How do people make it work?

Open to Diverse Perspectives

Alay Razvi and his wife, Shilpa Alay Nainani, are among those who have experienced it all.

“Raised in an interfaith family, I gained the opportunity to experience both sides of the world. And honestly, this has been the best thing that has happened to me,” smiles Razvi, a lawyer.

While growing up, he got to celebrate all the festivals and follow all the traditions. “It’s like having a wider lens to view the world, making you more adaptable, empathetic, and open to diverse viewpoints,” he points out.

This helped him have a deeper understanding of different cultures and beliefs, which gave him a strong foundation and helped him in his personal and professional life.

“The challenge arose when I considered getting married, as the families were likely to have numerous reservations and expectations. However, getting married to someone outside of my community was enriching and gave me an altogether different perspective,” says Razvi, who celebrates all the festivals and savours the different types of food cooked at home. “Had I married within the community, I might not have encountered these experiences,” he says while Shilpa, a coach and an artist, nods in complete agreement.

Learning from eachother

Singer and actor Anuj Gurwara, who is married to Pilot Hannah Mohsin Khan, shares similar views.

“I grew up in Hyderabad, where we experienced a beautiful blend of North Indian and South Indian cultures. So whether it is food, practices, or festivals, I’ve been exposed to a larger balance of both,” he says.

On the other hand, Hannah was born in Uttar Pradesh and grew up in Delhi and Saudi Arabia.

“She not only embodies the essence of Indianness and North Indianness, but also brings with her a global perspective, shaped by her upbringing in Saudi Arabia. While the two of us come from very different worlds, there are commonalities that have brought us together, whether it is the values or the approach to life,” he says.

Anuj says he and Hannah share a lot of interests and try to build as much as they can. “We emphasize what the best parts of our individual lives are. We bring them together to form a common union while keeping our personal identities intact. And it is just finding that sweet spot; that balance is the challenge,” he says.

He admits there are disagreements, which they always overcome by showing respect and curiosity for what the other person stands for. “As long as that can happen, a lot of challenges can be resolved, and a lot of problems can be solved just by understanding and accepting that the other person is an individual in their own right and they have their own way of going about life.”

Anuj asserts that cultural challenges often stem from an individual's upbringing and environment. “That reflects in your personal tastes, your likes and dislikes, or your food, or the way you dress, or the way you like to keep your home. These are little things and habits that define who we are culturally,” says the singer-actor.
Both Anuj and Hannah are not very religious, but they are curious and constantly learn from each other. “She’s constantly exploring the South Indian side of life because of my exposure, whether it is the cuisine, culture, or festivals. Likewise, I’m very curious and constantly try to learn about the traditions in her part of the world, including both North Indian and Muslim culture. Each religion brings in so much beauty.”

Summing it up, Anuj says they love to live the greatest or the best parts of each other's lives. “This has nothing to do with God. It has everything to do with the humanity that resides within you. And if you can identify that and build on it, I think the world will become a better place.”