THE STRANGER ON THE BUS RESTORED MY FAITH IN HUMANITY!
For many years, I’ve lived and travelled in Muslim countries and known countless Muslims. I’ve always been welcomed and treated with courtesy and respect. I don’t know where this encounter occurred (country or city) but I am so gratified to learn that people are making an effort to get to know and accept Muslims as they find them. Please read down to the last paragraph where the author recognises that sometimes our opinions are shaped by misinformation.
P.S. This is the first time I have ever reblogged someone else’s post.
Where to next? 
That’s a good re-blog, Peggy. The world needs to see more stories like this.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I thought this was such a wonderful story and, like you, I hope that many more are happening around the world.
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Thanks for sharing such a lovely post Peggy. I have also commented on the original.
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting on both.
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I am so glad reposted this. It is very timely in our world today.
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You are most welcome and, yes, items like this are very timely.
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Hello Peggy,
Thanks for this timely post based on current events…and prejudices by many people against minorities here in America. I have learned to appreciate almost everyone (except criminals…) and not judge anyone on their religion, country, looks…and I dislike close-minded people who have never made an effort to meet people that are different than they are. The blog also points out the power of being friendly to others and not being so negative in meeting new people.
Sy
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Hi Sy, I had to laugh at you not appreciating criminals—I don’t either. 🙂 And I agree completely that being friendly and open is a wonderful way to curb prejudice and foster good relationships.
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I have tears in my eyes from your post. How wonderful this would be if it happened more often.
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I got teary too. It’s that kind of wonderful story.
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Loved this post Peggy, thanks for the re-blog. I think people who have lived in a lot of different countries are more accepting of different cultures. I for one never judge people by their religion, I prefer to judge people by their character and personality. You have to feel sorry for the narrow minded people who want everyone to be the same as them, what a boring world that would be.
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We spent this morning at Canberra’s annual Multicultural Festival. What a joy! I’ve eaten foods from Tibet, Iran and Czech, and seen performances from China, Tonga, Poland and Peru. We came home because it’s raining, but we’ll be back later today. How lucky we are to have all these influences.
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Yes, the diversity in food alone makes you wonder about Trump’s stand on things foreign. I wonder how he would like to live by only eating foods native to USA . Including their genetically modified foods.
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Oh my, that comment made me laugh.
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Good re-post Peggy. We all need to be reminded of how importance this is. Over and over. –Curt
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Pity that it requires so much reminding.
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Yes.
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A great post, Peggyleggy. Thank you for doing that re-blog.
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Thanks Gerard. I just had to share.
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Thanks for sharing it’s a delightful story … so many are so quick to judge, let’s open our hearts and minds to all?
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Such wonderful advice—yes, let’s open our hearts and minds to all! Thanks.
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Thanks for this Peggy. It reflects how I feel when I go up to women wearing hijab and tell them not to worry about what the politicians and Pauline Hanson are saying. If we don’t speak to each other we won’t know. And the relative minority doing evil don’t reflect the values of the Koran or indeed of all Muslims. Our politicians seem to have forgotten that. It’s just like when the Irish Catholics started coming to Australia in great numbers. It used to be illegal to have Mass celebrated in public. Thanks again.
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Oh Louise, it is so wonderful to know that you approach Muslim women to say everything is okay. I do the same. Speaking up in support is one of the very small gestures we can make.
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Sigh. Hope for the world, one person at a time perhaps.
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Yeah, sometimes one person at a time is the best we can hope for.
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Peggy thank you for sharing this young woman’s story. As I was reading it I was brought to tears because it’s so sad that we live in a world where we are so unaccepting. As an African American female, over 55, with a disability I understand marginalization and having to prove myself because in this world by some I can never be accepted as a person.
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It confounds me that so many people are unable to put themselves in another’s situation. We’re all in this life together. Our bottom line should be to support and accept one another.
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Amen. We are in serious need of empathy.
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Peggy, the first time I did this was quite a few years ago, maybe when Pauline first emerged. I saw two women in black burqas, is that the right description? I’m talking about the women who are dressed totally in black with just slits for their eyes. Anyway, I went up to them told them not to worry; that all Australians weren’t like that. The upsetting thing was that, when I first approached them, I think they were worried that I was going to abuse them. My latest effort was to stop the car and tell a couple of guys going to prayer at the mosque in Yarralumla that they, and their religion, are welcome here. People probably think I’m weird but what the heck. There’s way too much nastiness and vilification in our country.
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What wonderful gestures, Louise. I wish more people would follow your example. How honourable!
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What a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing😊
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So glad you enjoyed it.
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Just a terrific, wonderful story…
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It sure is. And we could do with more of the same.
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A story to make us think that the mind is too light to judge and that we have the opportunity to open our hearts to do good. As always, always one step ahead with your writings. Excellent writer.
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Thanks so much. I appreciate you stopping by and commenting.
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Wonderful story!
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It sure is, and we hope to hear more like it.
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We live in a very international city/area – has been that way for a long time. I guess I forget others are not lucky enough to do so and to grow up around all sorts of people. Smiles cross all language barriers. Always a good start.
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Smiles almost always break through language barriers. I try to take mine everywhere.
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Thanks Peggy! You really help people being open minded! That’s a great reblogg! HUGS!
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Thanks, Adriana. It was such an uplifting post, I couldn’t resist re-blogging it.
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Thanks for sharing! I reblogged this!
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Thanks so very much. It’s a message that needs to go far and wide.
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Very very true!
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