The question of identity is a powerful one. In Pakistan, since you bring that country up, they struggle with whether they are mainly a Muslim country or a South Asian one. Whether history starts with Bin Qasim's conquest of Sindh in the 8th century, or the city of Mohenjo Daro in the Indus Valley civilization during 2800 B.C. THeir civil war in East Pakistan was a conflict about which was paramount - religion or language?

Cultures absorb from each other all the time. That is what makes it dynamic and rich. It would be a terrible day for me if the only type of food I got was a McDonald's burger or butter chicken. Christmas is extremely popular among kids for the gifts you get. In India, a non Christian would visit a Christian's house for Christmas, to get special food. The Christian and Muslim person will go to a Hindu's house for Diwali. The non Muslims go to a Muslim person's house for Eid. Each religion has affected the other, and absorbed traditions from the other.