Filmmaker Abbas Tyrewala says that as an Indian Muslim, he was scared of a backlash against the community in the aftermath of the terror strikes in Mumbai, but is glad that he was proven wrong.

“Frankly, considering the immensity of the attack this time, I as an Indian Muslim felt scared. I thought there would be a backlash. But call it the power of unity during crisis, not one voice of dissent against the Indian Muslim was heard in the entire city. Not once have I felt accusing eyes looking at me,” said Abbas.

The writer-director, whose Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na was a huge hit, feels it is important for Indians to delineate Islam from terrorism.

“And the latest attack on Mumbai has clearly brought out the difference, clearly shown us that the right-thinking Indian Muslim is not a terrorist. That Hindu or Muslim, we’re all united in the fight against terrorism,” said Abbas, who has been married to a Hindu for two years.

“My family and I have lived in Mumbai for years. My father has never hurt a fly. Neither do I think have I. At this time, when Mumbai has gone through its worst attack ever, it was very important for me to feel a sense of absolute identification with the mainstream,” he said.