Bosnian (white!) Muslim. Fed up of having to explain I'm born Muslim...

[sanellao]

Just that really!
I'm ethnically Bosnian, white with blond hair and green eyes and my whole family for as far back as it's possible to trace on both sides are Muslim.
Why do so many people I come across in the UK seem to equate "being Muslim" with being darker skinned like brown Asian or certain black African peoples? In fairness, the largest Muslim populations in our city are Pakistani and sub-continent, as well as various Middle East background Muslims.... But the Bosnian community is relatively tiny here. But....Why is is so inconceivable that a pale skinned blond person can be of Muslim origin too?
Haha.
I've recently started a new job and keep getting questions from colleagues (they're probably just curious or something), asking "when did you convert" or "what do your family think about you being Muslim"... When I reply that I was born Muslim and my family on all sides are Muslim I get met with looks of confusion.. Colleagues looking at each other then back at me.
Like, what's the issue? Haha.
Just wondering if and other white "born" Muslims feel these frustrations!

YANBU, but to be fair, most Muslims do tend to be darker due to where they typically come from in the world.

It's not inconceivable that Bosnians are Muslim, but not as common, therefore people aren't perhaps as aware.

Sadly I think it's because few people remember the war in the Balkans and the reasons behind it.

I think your looking at it incorrectly. Nobody is born any religion. Your parents made the decision to raise you muslim. That has nothing to do with your colour.

Op I'm mixed race and I know exactly what it's like to have people make assumptions about you due to skin colour and then disbelieve you when you correct them. It's exhausting. I get it.

Honestly, because most British Muslims are not white.

I've met several white British Muslims though, I don't know if they were reverts or of Bosniak heritage, I didn't feel the need to ask. It's no one's business but yours.

This is the best comment on here and so true.

Most people view it as an ethnic religion, often because that's how our media and others present it and folks often don't try to learn much for themselves.

You live in a country with far too many racists.

I'm not originally from the UK and I wouldn't expect people to understand my heritage. I don't get why it's a problem, they are going based on the knowledge they have, you tell them and then they have more knowledge. Or just don't mention you are Muslim if their reaction annoys you. I don't think I've ever mentioned my religion in general conversation.

Did you just walk into a job and announce to everyone you'd encountered that you were a Muslim?

You do realise that's more of a thing vegans do

Since when has asking a question about religion got anything to do with race ?

I teach RS and when I start to teach Islam my first lesson shows Muslims of all ethnicities. It’s just about education. A lot of people don’t know much about Islam.

I have lived in several countries outside of UK and had loads of questions about my ethinicty, religion parents etc, it's curiosity no racism!

Why do you feel you have to explain anything? I'm atheist, never had to explain my beliefs in my life apart from writing it on a form or two.

Moniker and Spain, OP probably isn't announcing anything, but is perhaps wearing a hijab, which would make some assume she's a convert, hence the questioning which would lead to OP explaining. That's how I read it.

Do you realise that Muslim women often wear particular items that signify their religion visually?

I wouldn't question anyone's religion or identity - it's rude, and shouldn't affect anyone else.

But no one is "born" any religion.

If you read to the end of my post you'll see the punchline of the joke.

I'm not even vegan and I think your username should be "timeforanewjoke".

Nothing unusual about being vegan any more. Everywhere offers vegan options, often in place of vegetarian options. Vegans don't need to announce themselves. You might just be behind the times...

Not much of a joke tbh

Forgive me but I thought being a Muslim meant you were joined to a religious system?. Ie it's not an ethnicity, how can you be born Muslim?

Probably because it’s not as common OP - I don’t think I’ve actually ever met anyone from Bosnia.

I get your frustration but in fairness it's not reasonable to expect people in a different country to understand your culture. You'll have to keep explaining! I do think it's rude for people to push it though, if you say I'm a Bosnian Muslim, we are mostly white and blue eyed etc then they should drop it immediately and not go on about it.

I'm not sure why anyone would be that invested to decide to ask your religion, and then question your background, when they have only just met you.
I can't remember asking a new co worker those sorts of questions

Of course you can be born Muslim, if you are born to a Muslim family and raised as a Muslim that's what you are, you can't be anything else. Even if you decide to walk away from it you will always be a lapsed Muslim, it's your ethnicity.