Respecting All Religions

India's former President, the late A.P.J Abdul Kalam, was a man of deep faith and spirituality. He was very unique.

Dr.Kalam was born in a Muslim family. His father was the imam of a mosque in his hometown of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu in South India. Being a religious leader, his father instilled Islamic traditions in his children. During Ramadan, Kalam would fast and religiously pray his Namaz.

Even though he was from a Muslim family, Kalam never stopped learning about other religions. Growing up, he had numerous influences from different places and cultures. His mother told him stories from the Ramayana at bedtime. As a child, his three best friends were from pious Tamil Brahmin families. One of his friends was even the son of the head priest of a temple. 

As he grew older, Dr. Kalam read the Bhagavad-Gita every day. He could quote easily from the Holy Quran and the Bhagavad-Gita. He never Hesitated to bathe in the Ganges.

Dr. Kalam developed a deep understanding of many faiths. As the President of India, he encouraged the country's religion and understanding with one another. He co-wrote a book on morals and values with a Jain saint. He once said, "For great men, religion is a way of making friends., small people make religion a fighting tool." His religion was humanity. He felt that in order to serve God, he must serve man. He lived his life believing in the message of peace and tolerance.