"I'm sorry, my friend, you're missing out."
Actor Faria Abdullah broke down in tears after facing significant online hate for participating in the Bonalu festival celebrations in Hyderabad.
The actress had visited the Sri Mahankaleshwara temple in Miralam Mandi, Old City, to celebrate the end of the traditional Telangana festival.
Pictures and videos of her dancing joyfully and offering the traditional bonam, a feast, to the Goddess went viral on social media.
The heartwarming footage was soon followed by a wave of trolling from those who criticised her for being a Muslim participating in a Hindu festival.
Faria responded to the hate with an emotional video in which she tearfully addressed her trolls while sending them love and good wishes.
She began by explaining her background, sharing that her father had converted to Islam because he was drawn to the religion’s teachings and philosophy.
She spoke about her upbringing and the values she was raised with, making clear that she was taught to see the good in everything.
The actor said: “I have always seen the good about Islam. I really wish good things for you, bro.
“Whoever is hating on me, whoever thinks that I’m on the wrong path, that I’m a kafir (disbeliever), whatever else you wanna say.
“I wish well for you, bro. I wish well for you.”
She became visibly emotional as she spoke about finding signs of life and the divine in every element of the natural world around her:
“I see life in trees, I see life in rocks, I see life in butterflies, in everything.
“If that doesn’t amaze you, if that doesn’t make you believe more in God instead of take you away from it.
“I’m sorry, my friend, you’re missing out. That’s about it.
“If you don’t choose to see magic or God in everything or every person you meet, you’re missing out.”
Her words reflected a deeply spiritual and inclusive worldview that she has clearly carried with her throughout her life.
Despite the pain of being trolled, Faria remained firm in her conviction that love and unity are the responses she chooses to lead with.
“I pray for love, I pray for unity, I pray for peace, and I will do that because that’s my rebellion, that’s my revolution, bro.
“I want to be aggressive about my love. And I will be.
“I will send love to all of you, who are hating on me right now.”
“Because I know my heart is true b***h, I know I have experienced the love.
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“I have experienced the blessings. I have experienced what gratitude can do for you.”
She ended her emotional video with a reflection on the meaning of the word Allah that she had received from her mother as a child:
“When I was a kid, I asked my mom, what is this word, Allah? What does it mean?
“She said, it means light. It means it’s everything everywhere all at once.
“How can you exclude something from everything everywhere all at once?”
Faria Abdullah’s words resonated deeply with many viewers who praised her composure and warmth.
