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Afghan Infantry on the (British-)Pakistani-Afghan borders

British vintage postcard

#contstruction #lahore #toprenovations #renovationproject #overseaspakistanis #pakistan #britishpakistanis #invest #investors #pakistaniinvestors https://www.instagram.com/p/B8otXH5lNPQ/?igshid=s5pcgx45s20

A Call for Proper Paki Parenting

Here is a zine page I created regarding absent parents particularly in mind and spirit.

A lot of my artwork initiates important discussions about all sorts of topics, but most of my topics hit hard at home not only with myself but amongst my friends and partner I’ve grown with and things I witness from afar.

Before I resume, I think it’s important to say that children no matter how old or young who do not have children of their own, can be put in a non-negotiable position to not be allowed to speak up on parenting (especially in Pakistani households). It’s a taboo topic almost to speak up on how parenting should be when you have not had children of your own. Despite this, I think we do not acknowledge that parenting is fulfilled most in a two-way system when both child and parent contribute to the relationship in order to allow a parent to function as a parent. I think so many (not all) parents from deprived communities and those that immigrated can easily function as parents in a one-way system.

One way systems are exhaustive (emotionally) and lack reciprocation despite the efforts of ‘parenting’. Many children fall into a system of ‘parent says, child do’, and as much as children accept and depend on parents to be nurtured, protected and advised from-  how well does that system work when nurturing, protection of all forms (physical, emotional and mental) and sincere advice for the child that is free from social stigmas is absent?

Many parents hold the societal and biological title of being mother and father, but do not practice the role efficiently and I’ll even go as far as saying undeserving in some cases. The difference is, a child will always innately be a child, a parent will never innately be a parent. It’s a choice and responsibility to serve a new human spirit (child) from all four corners of the room, not for the child to serve them.

It is often said that children are like sponges, their brains are grasping and learning at phenomenal speeds but they soak up more than their academia and so many parents forget this.They soak up the energy of their surroundings; they soak up the physical states of their space, the buildings and nature; they soak up words not because they are spoken in their presence but how they are used, they soak up all things love and all things hate. Just as a sponge doesn’t discriminate in soaking up the clean or muddy water it’s thrown in, children are the same when they’re born into their worlds.

Because children are naturally subordinates, not fully developed or evolved we forget that they don’t have the power to always navigate out of unhealthy states and sometimes this is the moment that a child makes or breaks. If a child is over looked, disregarded, abused, neglected or not prioritised it’s very likely that they’ll navigate in those spaces unhappily but always passively. Taking note of the zine I have made, I’ve witnessed so many parents in Pakistani communities serve their culture more than their children’s needs. I’ve witnessed parents abuse with the excuse of harsh love and Godly service. I’ve witnessed Pakistani parents choose their cultural needs over the child’s. I’ve witnessed Pakistani parents dismiss nurturing their children for religious fanaticism. It’s sickening. My point is, all absent mothers and fathers, present yourselves. Your children will need you more than your culture, your corruption, your broken marriages and your worldly problems. Not just your body to be seen, but your mind and spirit.

I’ve been engaging with a lovely book called ‘All About Love’ by Bell Hooks and wanted to share an excerpt from it. But before I do, I wanted to mention that many families have been functioning like this both in and out of British-Pakistani communities. I truly believe that knowledge is power, that if we’re made aware of things that we thought we were doing right but actually wasn’t it helps shift change with validity and sincerity. This excerpt really made me think about my familial relationships and what kind of parent I’d want to be one day and I hope it does for you too.

“I am grateful to have been raised in a family that was caring, and strongly believe that had my parents been loved well by their parents they would have given that love to their children. They gave what they had been given- care. Remember, care is a dimension of love, but simply giving does not mean we are loving.” -Bell Hooks, All About Love.

I call for absent Pakistani parents to present themselves and take responsibility, love their children, not just care. I call for Pakistani parents old and young to break generational heartache and absent mindedness to serve children that will shape stronger British-Pakistani generations from here on out. And to the children who have been silenced, speak up! You’ll be heard.

Have a lovely day.

-AIN

Bengali married a Pakistani

Many British born asians are open to who they marry so was I? Was it the best decision I made? Well there are pros and cons to anything in life follow my journey on here while I explore my past 12 years here with everyone.

A British-Pakistani Muslim family has been served pork burgers in the enforced hotel quarantine for arrivals in the UK, as government ministers face legal challenges over the conditions and service. The family, who paid £4,025 ($5,610) for the hotel, was given the food that they cannot eat due to their religious beliefs. Other families have reported waiting hours for water deliveries, in what lawyers describe as “morally reprehensible and plainly unlawful” conditions. In pandemic measures since Feb. 15, all arrivals to Britain who visit countries that are on the so-called “red list” — of which there are now 50 — are required to quarantine for 10 days. The Muslim family said when they were offered food other than bacon and pork burgers, it was “stale and rock hard.” Naheeda Khan, the mother, said the enforced hotel stay was a “nightmare,” adding: “The food has been terrible. It arrives cold and is really tasteless — hardly eatable. They have given us pork burgers and paninis which we cannot eat because we are Muslim. The kids have just been eating cereal and crisps. She said: “Because we only have one chair, most of us have been having to eat on the bed, which made a mess. Then for three or four days we were ringing and asking them to bring us clean bed sheets. We had no choice but to sleep on it. It was really disgusting.” Khan added that the situation was worsened by restrictions on exercise, keeping them to their room with windows that did not open, which was contrary to what they were told on arrival, where hotel staff informed the family that they could exercise in the car park on request. This was particularly difficult for their 10-year-old son, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Source:Arab News 📸:Arab News #repost from @l.a.k.tv -#britishpakistani #britishmuslim #stopislamophobia #endracism #notoracism #quarantinestories #newsanchor #islamicpost https://www.instagram.com/p/COHAFIuBI-W/?igshid=i0ybqm1a3f2y

If you need tyre to be replaced or supply chain to be fixed, you can call me! #bridgestone #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #blogger #uae #dubai #britishpakistani (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates) https://www.instagram.com/p/COGgROMjV6e/?igshid=1s0oe18fdggwa

Pakistan: More restrictions to be imposed in cities to ensure safety measures Read More 👉 https://candourmag.com/pakistan-more-restrictions-to-be-imposed-in-cities-to-ensure-safety-measures/?feed_id=845&_unique_id=604f74898f257 UK’s Leading British Asian Magazine. Focusing on Fashion, Beauty, Parties, Celebrities, Music, Entertainment, Tech & More. Be ahead of all the biggest trends! 👍 up 👉 www.candourmag.com #britishpakistani #covid-19 #pakistan #BritishCandour

#Repost @britishcandour . CONGRATULATIONS @rizahmed FOR GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATION.... Well deserved 👍🎉✨ . . . . . . #goldenglobes #rizahmed #oliviacolman #amazonprime #goldenglobes2020 #goldenglobe #britishpakistani #britishasian #london #hollywood #pakistani (at UK) https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4GeruHi5K/?igshid=1ioaudpqu66df

We were in Holland Park (Kensington, Central London) this day because of a British Asian couple wedding shoot. It was a very different experience for us actually. We have received their call around late July. They have got married in March already, but: https://www.facebook.com/LondonandUKWeddingPhotographerandVideographer/ We used the bride's phone to take some wedding photos. But the phone has been broken and all our weddings photos are gone. https://www.foreverlovewedding.com/ They could not get back to Ealing Town Hall where they get married to re-live the moment because of Covid Measures taken by there, so we went to a park instead to take some document signing photos and ring exchange photos. After that, we went to the Town Hall and took a few photos outside. This is another reason to have professional photographer for your big day. The photos keep your wedding memory alive! We have 'Re-do' the moment this time. They are both very happy. We wish them a very happy married life. Feel free to check out their photos and videos on our website and keep an eye on our Facebook Page! Thank you #Londonweddingvideographer #Ealingtownhall #Britishsikh #Sikhweddingphotography #Londonindianweddingvideographer #sikhweddingphotographer #hennaphotographer #londonhenna #londonhennavideographer #Londonindianweddings #indianweddingvideography #Harrow #Hounslow #indianbride #sikhbridestyle #Slough #britishpakistani #britishpunjabi #Southall #Londonindiancouples #indianweddingphotos #indianweddingvideos #UKIndianweddingphotographer #UKIndianweddingvideographer #Indianbridetobe #indiansinuk #Indianinuk #britishindian #indiansinlondon #britishbornindian (at Holland Park, London) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGZxg08BRiy/?igshid=1hmybs9e0z256

#britishmuslim #britishmuslimcommunity #britishpakistani🇬🇧🇵🇰 #britishmuslims #britishexpatsdubai #britishmedicalassociation (at Dubai UAE) https://www.instagram.com/p/CimcZFvomMO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Agha noor heavy Formal’s 3pc Available to pre book now Perfect for the wedding !! Delivery estimated time :6 to 8 weeks . Size :Xs S M L XL.Do message us @stylisticfashionsuk to order . . ▪️Price :£125 to £155 🧿check out insta stories for more updates 👆🏻. ✨✨Get your gorgeous outfit now only at @stylisticfashionsuk . . . . . #aghanoor #aghanoorkurti #uk #london #outfitsgoals #eidcollection #pearls #chiffon #net #embroidery #dabka #mukaish #pakistanifashionuk #pakistaniwedding #pakistanifashion #indianweddings #britishasian #muslimahfashionista #britishpakistani #biritishasians #bridalfashionweek . (at South Harrow) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDwyo8MlGkk/?igshid=bo9vhurkxkey

#bridaldress and #bridemaids dresses. Buy them together and enjoy good discounts For more information talk to us today #pakistanibride #indiandress #wedding #asianbridesblog #weddingfun #fashionweek #bridalweek2017 #britishasian #britishpakistani

Treat me like a joke and I'll leave you like it's funny. #modeling #artist #singer #britishpakistani #swag #model

British-Pakistani boxer Hamza Mehmood wins big at Elite National Championship Manchester: British-Pakistani boxer Hamza Mehmood has made history by becoming the first British boxer of Pakistani descent to win Elite Elite championships.

1, 4, 5, and 15 from the “hi, i’m not from the u.s. ask set” 🌼

Why hello!

1. favourite place in your country?

I’m going to go really specific on this, rather than just saying London: the Italian Gardens in Hyde Park. It’s just very beautiful and a nice mix between peaceful feeling and having enough foot traffic to allow me to people watch. I love Hyde Park overall, but this little spot is just very pretty.

4. favourite dish specific for your country?

Oooh yorkshire puddings, hands down! I am a sucker for those bad boys 😛 Fresh out the oven and all hot and crispy. Massive and filled with a roast dinner, or the small ones eaten with some coconut ice cream, caramelised pineapple and crumbled ginger biscuits (I got weird and fancy with my desserts one day): they’re just perfect 😍

5. favourite song in your native language?

Ah, see: native language could be one of two things (#BritishPakistani #DiasporaFeels), so I’ll pick one song from each

English: Jack’s Mannequin - The Mixed Tape Urdu: Ranjish Hi Sahi (Ali Sethi - Coke Studio version)

15. a saying, joke, or hermetic meme that only people from your country will get?

I googled hermetic meme, and I suppose it’s something not affected by outward influences.

The first thing that came to mind was a Cheeky Nandos, which I have seen plenty of Americans being confused about.

I use plenty of sayings and colloquialisms but it’s hard for me to know which ones are purely British and unintelligble elsewhere until someone (*cough @zeethebooknerd cough*) points them out.