From Michael to Muhammad

Good morning. I’ve loved Michael McIntyre for years. His wit, cheekiness and contagious joie de vivre make him a favourite in many households. But the other day my youngest was especially excited, because McIntyre’s guest was KSI.
Yes, dear listener, I too wondered, who is KSI? If you have a Gen Z or Alpha in your home, you may know the name. Now, McIntyre is about my age, while KSI belongs to a generation that can feel almost alien to ours. It’s a tale as old as time: the gap between generations. Yet their exchange was a masterclass in bridging it. Mcintyre showed curiosity in KSI’s work intrigue at this new social media driven career path, and rising respect as KSI’s successes were enumerated, ending with enthusiastic congratulations and all the best wishes for KSI’s future. McIntyre didn’t belittle him, roll his eyes, he didn’t diminish KSI once, even though it would have been so easy to do so. Instead he showed laughter is best when its not generated through demeaning others, and is so much more powerful when it is uniting us in our differences rather than alienating us further.

From Michael I was reminded of Muhammed, the Prophet of Islam and his love of children, how he spoke with them according to their interests and understandings, how he came across a little boy crying over his pet bird dying and the Prophet spontaneously made a rhyme out of the little boy’s name, turning his frown into a smile.

I pray for the fortitude of being curious not threatened by difference, of being excited not afraid of change, ameen.