My Son the Fanatic Hanif Kureishi's short story “My Son the Fanatic” is the story of two conflicting beliefs: Ali's passion for anti-Western Islam and his father Parvez's dream to provide for his family. Both father and son have different opinions on how to live life and the idea of ​​religion. Kureishi explores questions of identity, religion, and a father's love for his son. Parvez, an English Punjabi taxi driver, has adapted to a new way of life so much so that he eats pork, a food prohibited in the Muslim religion. Parvez was very proud of his son and his academic achievements and often spoke about him to his colleagues. One day, Parvez was going through Ali's things and notices a change in his room. Parvez initially fears that his son was addicted to drugs, but later discovers that his son has started studying the Quran. Parvez accepts this and is thrilled that he wasn't on drugs, but tensions rise when Ali starts criticizing his father's habits. Parvez appears to have lived in Britain for almost twenty years; he adapted very well to British culture and lived a happy and free life. He was born in Lahore where he was taught the Quran. At school "the Maulvis had attached a rope to the ceiling and tied it to Parvez's hair to prevent him from falling asleep while he studied the Koran." This most likely caused Parvez to move away from his strict religion. Parvez was in no way the ideal Muslim man, he gambles, drinks, makes fun of religion, frequents prostitutes and, as previously stated, loves pork. Although Parvez was not a good Muslim, he was a good man, which his son failed to see. On more than one occasion he saved his friend Bettina, a prostitute, from a violent client. While he may not have followed his religion to the hilt, he had c... middle of paper... t lips. So who's the fanatic now? Many people think of the word fanatic as someone who is extremely interested in something like a religion, and would therefore only label Ali as a fanatic. However, both Parvez and Ali could be considered fanatics, ultimately neither father nor son was open-minded about the other's ideas. Parvez's attempt to talk to his son at dinner showed that he was initially open to seeing what he was thinking, however, his son's criticism most likely distracted him from caring. Parvez most likely attacked his son because he couldn't stand being left out and disrespected. During dinner Ali was very reluctant to listen because his father did not follow his religion. Ultimately neither of them were willing to continue trying to fix their fractured relationship, both wanted to push their own beliefs into each other..