Originally coming from a Pakistani family, I did not take too much notice of Islam as a religion in whole. Possibly as the culture outshone religion but it was still intertwined. It was not until my early teens that I started to learn Arabic and have Quran lessons that I was focusing on Islam as my religion. As I entered Secondary school (High school), I majority of my friends were Muslim and as usual we would hang out, pray at lunchtime and during Ramadan, pray a lot and go to the local mosque. During this time, some friends would dictate how I should lead my life. Not talking to girls, always going to prayer, doing things a certain way and hypocritically they would do what I was told not to do, which demoralised me. After the dreadful occasion of 9/11, I started to question Islam and my friends. Shortly after I left my friends and made new ones and got into rock music etc. At this point I was quite liberal and used to drink alcohol at parties but I continued to follow Islamic laws of only eating halal meat until I started college. It was not until University that I decided i wont follow Islamic teachings.
Personally I am quite fortunate. My brother and sister followed my path in their own way. My brother is an ex-muslim like me and my sister is very liberal but does not eat pork. My mother has a disdain towards Pakistani culture as women are looked down on and lower than men. My mother too became very liberal, but like my sister does not eat pork.
I know that Islam is not a bad religion. I know there are some good people in the Islamic community There are verses in the Quran about looking after each other etc, but there are also verses about smiting non believers. There is so much contradiction and a lot of people, in this day and age, only read about causing harm and convert others into Islam, either through terrorism, force, fear or by preaching.
I do not understand why you must fear a God and pray for his mercy.. That is not what faith is. Why cant you love a God for protecting you and be a being you look up to in happiness?
I am a lot happier being who I am, doing what I want, being true to myself, kind and civil to others.

Thank you for taking time to read this.

Jazz Akhtar
Formally known as Mohammad Ejaaz Akhtar