India was about 80 percent Hindu when Mohammed was growing up. He was raised Muslim, but got to know other groups of Islam as well as Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and those practicing Jainism among others, learning from them and picking up different languages.
“Growing up in that milieu was important in shaping my life,” said Mohammed, a Springfield cardiologist. “I liked the unity and diversity a lot.”
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By the time he went to college, Mohammed had more Hindu than Muslim friends. When he came to the U.S. to get licensed as a physician, Mohammed recalled being mentored by Jewish doctors, who never made his faith an issue.
He been in the country since 1985 and has lived in Springfield with wife Parveen for 26 years, raising all of his children here.
“I’ve lived here longer than I lived in India. When we go back to India, my children are the foreigners there,” he observed.
Mohammed was one of the founding members of the Global Peace and Education Network in 2001 in response to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The Speakers Series is in its 14th year and the theme is “Sharing Our Roots - Growing Springfield Together…My Story, Your Story, Our Story.”
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He can often be found at different churches or the Temple Sholom for various programs, promoting interfaith understanding.
“That experience growing up has given me an edge. I can talk at those places in town,” said Mohammed.
While things have improved for cross-cultural understanding and tolerance, Mohammed said we still need unity foremost and appreciate what each religion offers and the lives of those practicing.
“We have to give more, to become one,” he said.
For more information about how to call in to the program or join the meeting through Zoom, contact Nancy Flinchbaugh at nflinchbaugh@springfieldohio.gov. For more information on the Global Peace and education Network, go to https://springfieldohio.gov/global-education/.
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