Are Muslim youth distancing from religion?
By Lamat R. Hasan
Sep 25, 2006

New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) Are Muslim youth in urban India junking their religion for fear of being branded as terrorists?

While many stressed out Muslims, weary of being targeted or racially profiled, are increasingly taking to spirituality and seeking solace in religion, educated youth are today consciously or unconsciously distancing from Islam to showcase their secular credentials.

Rather than asserting their identities and removing the many misconceptions about the religion, they are dissociating themselves from anything and everything Islamic.

They are also increasingly taking to 'social drinking' to gain acceptance among peer groups and often proudly proclaim that 'they are not the conservative types who offer prayers or fast'.

In their hearts they know there is no harm in offering prayers or keeping fasts, but the fear of being clubbed with the 'skullcap or the scarf types' is equally genuine. the rest