Parenting Perspective 

Children who are growing up with parents from different cultural, linguistic, or social worlds may sometimes feel ‘different’ in front of their peers. If this feeling is left unaddressed, it can sometimes turn into a sense of shame, especially if other people begin to question or mock their background. The act of preventing this shame from taking root begins with shaping your child’s understanding of their identity, so that they see it as something to be celebrated, rather than as something to be hidden. 

Speak with Pride About Both Worlds 

Use phrases like, ‘Alhamdulillah, you are so blessed to have the best of both sides of your family inside of you.’ When you are able to openly honour both of their heritages, your child will learn that their difference is a source of richness, not of embarrassment. 

Share Positive Stories from Each Heritage 

Tell your child stories that show how both sides of their family have carried the qualities of resilience, kindness, or faith in their own unique ways. These stories will help them to connect to a proud legacy, rather than focusing on any perceived gaps between their two backgrounds. 

Teach Them a Confident Response 

You can equip your child with a few calm and simple replies to have ready in case they are faced with unkind questions or comments. A response such as, ‘My parents are from different cultures, and I feel very lucky to be able to learn so much from that,’ can help them to feel empowered, without needing to fuel a conflict. 

Create Daily Practices That Blend Both Sides 

The act of cooking food, using certain words or phrases, or following particular family rituals that include both of your backgrounds can show your child that being ‘from two worlds’ is a normal and happy part of your home. 

Reinforce Their Worth Beyond Their Background 

Remind your child, ‘You are loved for your good character, not because of where anyone in our family came from.’ This helps to anchor their confidence in their intrinsic values, not in external labels. 

By giving your child this sense of pride, along with the tools and the daily affirmations they need, you can help to replace any feelings of shame with a sense of strength, teaching them to see their unique identity as a beautiful blessing. 

Spiritual Insight 

True Worth in Taqwa, Not Lineage 

Islam consistently rejects the idea of any kind of superiority that is based on culture, race, or lineage. What truly matters is our taqwa (God-consciousness) and our good deeds, not our background. Protecting your child from feelings of shame means rooting their identity in the things that Allah values most. 

The Dignity Found in Diversity 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verses 13: 

‘O mankind, indeed, We (Allah Almighty) have created you all from one man and one woman; and placed you amongst various nations and tribes for your introduction to each other; indeed, the best of you in the judgement of Allah (Almighty) is the one who is most virtuous…’ 

This verse reminds us that our cultural variety is not intended to be a source of shame, but is a divine sign of the wisdom of Allah, with our true honour lying only in our righteousness. 

Nobility Is Found in Deeds, Not Lineage 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 2945, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Whoever is slowed by his deeds will not be hastened forward by his lineage.’ 

This hadith teaches that our family origin can neither elevate nor diminish our ultimate worth in the sight of Allah; only our own deeds can do that. By anchoring your child’s self-worth in their faith, their values, and their good character, you are shielding them from the pain of shame. They can learn from you that having parents from different worlds is not a weakness but is in fact a gift, and that Allah looks at our hearts and our actions, not at our cultural labels.