Building Bridges: Ways to help welcome Hindu and Muslim background people to Christian community Shashi Christian, 2018 Why? Deuteronomy 10:19 Matthew 5:43-44 Matthew 25:40 Leviticus 19:34 Romans 13:8 Romans 13:10 Acts 10:34 Revelation 21:3 3 John 1:5 Luke 10:27 Hebrews 13:1 Colossians 3:11 Matthew 25:35 Romans 12:31 Who or What? Islamic Worldview: Colin Chapman, Cross and Crescent, pp. 33ff CHRISTIAN, SHASHI 2018 1 Hindu worldview: How? Hospitality: Explain: Acts of kindness: Relationships of trust: Relating Meaningfully to a Hindu Relating Meaningfully to a Muslim Greetings Greetings • The traditional greeting for those who • Greetings are generally formal for identify as Hindu is to press the palms of Muslims. one’s hands together in front of the chest • The most common greeting among and say "Namaste", which means "I greet Muslims is “As-Salamu-Alaykum” (‘Peace be the god within you". This is accompanied upon you’). with a nod of the head or a bow depending • Elders are greeted first out of respect. on the status of the person you are greeting. CHRISTIAN, SHASHI 2018 2 • It is generally appropriate for men and • Well-acquainted men may hug each other women to shake hands; however, it is a upon greeting. However, when greeting good idea to wait for a woman to extend her strangers, business associates or those of a hand first. Some Hindu men and women very different status (i.e. an elder), one may not wish to touch a person of the usually shakes hands and respectfully opposite gender. places the right hand over the heart • Avoid greeting someone with a hug or a afterwards. kiss unless you know the person well. • Women may kiss each other on both cheeks • Hindus expect people to greet the eldest or if they know each other well. Strangers most senior person first. When greeting generally meet each other with a elders, some Hindus may reach down and handshake. touch the ground or their feet as a sign of • In more traditional circumstances, men and respect. women will share a verbal greeting but • Address someone with his or her title and make no physical contact. Business last name until told that you may use their introductions between men and women first name. may involve a handshake if initiated by the women. Physical contact (e.g. hugs, handshakes and kisses) is only considered appropriate between men and women if they are family or close friends. • A Muslim may simply place their right hand over their heart and give a gentle nod in greeting if they perceive the other person is unaccustomed to being touched. • For informal greeting one could say “Adab” (‘Respect and politeness’) while lifting a hand to their forehead. Etiquette Etiquette It is important to be aware of the diversity of When initially meeting someone, it is necessary traditions and practices regarding etiquette to ask about a person’s well-being and that of among Hindus. Given the varying social norms their family. Only move onto the matter at among regions and linguistic groups, each hand after these personal questions are asked. community has their own understanding of Forgetting to ask about a person's family what constitutes respectful or normal signifies a lack of sensitivity and an behaviour. If unsure about how to be respectful, opportunist mindset. However, it is best only do not hesitate to ask your Hindu counterpart to enquire about male family members. or at least observe the people around you for Conservative Muslim men may find it guidance. particularly dishonourable and disrespectful to Basic Etiquette enquire about their female family members, • Feet are thought to be the ‘dirtiest’ part of unless you know the family or person well. the body. The soles of one’s feet should Basic Etiquette never be pointed at another person. One • People tend to offer regular praise about should sit in a way that avoids this. others’ clothes, hair or personal items. • The top of the head is considered to be the most important part of the human body. To CHRISTIAN, SHASHI 2018 3 touch someone on the top of their head, • Wear clothes appropriate to specific especially a baby or child, is rude and occasions. Forgetting to do so is considered insensitive. disrespectful. • Objects are generally passed with one’s • It is best to always dress modestly in a way right hand or both hands. The left hand is that doesn't over-accentuate one’s figure. thought to be reserved for cleaning, and the • Laughing loudly in public is considered left hand alone should never be used to pass rude. an object. • Stand to greet a person when they enter a Visiting room. • Hindus are generally exceptionally • It is considered rude to sit with one’s legs hospitable and take great pride in this outstretched. characteristic. Complementing the • If a Muslim offers to pay for your food or hospitality of your Hindu counterpart will shopping, do not immediately accept. They be greatly appreciated. tend to make this offer out of politeness • When visiting someone’s home, strict and it is expected that the other person punctuality is generally not observed. insist on paying. Alternatively, if once you Arriving 15 to 30 minutes after the have refused their offer, they continue to designated time is appropriate. ask to pay, you may politely accept. • Remove your shoes before entering • It is common for people to ask personal someone’s home. Shoes are also not allowed questions to ascertain a stranger’s in religious places. background and status. For example, an • While a gift for the host is not expected, it individual may be asked where they live or will be greatly appreciated. A small token what their parents’ occupations are. gift, such as chocolates or a gift for the • Generally, Muslims are not very punctual host’s children, is adequate. and are commonly tardy. However, there • Avoiding saying ‘thank you’ to the host at are exceptions to this. For example, military the end of a meal. The phrase is understood background families tend to be very as a form of payment, and it is better to punctual. show gratitude through reciprocating, such Visiting as inviting your hosts to dinner. • Hospitality is a strong aspect of Muslim • Hindus can sometimes be so generous that culture. It is not uncommon to be invited to they accidentally embarrass their Kiwi a Muslim’s home without much prior guests or make them feel awkward. For acquaintance. example, there is often an expectation that • If visiting a military family's house, arrival the guest will accept what is offered. If you should be prompt. More generally, refuse something, it may be seen as a token however, Muslims are not particularly protest made out of politeness. Thus, strict with time. Arriving to an event instead of accepting your refusal, a Hindu substantially later than the start time is may insist that you receive what has been acceptable, though this depends upon the offered. This can lead to awkward situations context of the event. in which a New Zealander can feel the offer • With new acquaintances, it is not expected is being forced upon them. to offer to bring something for a meal. Eating Hosts take pride in preparing everything • There are various forms of eating etiquette themselves and may be taken aback by relating to one’s hands since using one’s such a question. CHRISTIAN, SHASHI 2018 4 hand to eat is a widespread practice among • It is polite to bring a small gift, such as Hindus. chocolate, sweets or flowers to express • Wash your hands before eating or serving gratitude for the invitation. food to a Hindu. • Offer to remove your shoes at the entrance. • If you are encouraged to eat with your • It is important to praise the host's home. If hands, avoid using your left hand. The left it is a simple home, acknowledge their hand is considered ‘unclean’ since it is the décor and contents. hand people generally use for washing • When visiting a home with children, make themselves. an effort to engage with them no matter • A Hindu may fill your plate for you or they how young they are. Not doing so displays may expect you to serve yourself. disinterest in your host and is considered • Some Hindus may have dietary restrictions arrogant behaviour. based on their religious faith with • At social events hosted by conservative Hinduism. For example, for many Hindus, families, men and women will socialise and cows have sacred religious connotations eat separately. Children will generally play and the consumption of beef will be with each other; however, some may avoided. choose to stay with their mothers. Food is • It is common for many Hindus to abstain generally served in a common area as a from drinking alcohol for reasons such as buffet. Men and women will serve religion or their upbringing. Only serve or themselves separately – it is at the provide alcohol if you are certain that your discretion of the host to dictate whether the Hindu counterpart drinks it. men or women may serve themselves first. Gift Giving Elders will always be offered food first • Yellow, green and red are considered to be within their respective genders. lucky colours and are often used to wrap • In more intimate or smaller settings, the gifts. entire family will sit together with guests in • A man offering a gift to a woman should the living room. say it is from both himself and his • Avoid discussing politics when initially wife/mother/sister or some other female invited into a household, unless initiated relative.