Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
I and others find it offensive. Its a racist term in the UK. End off. If you don;t find it offensive then use it to every Asian’s face in the UK if you please.
:halo:
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
If you live like as if you one of them you will be fine but soon as you change your appearance or may be your view points or refuse to Drink or eat haram in your office party or may be ask for a later lunch for your Friday prayer every week thats when you see the actual racism ..
people in UK work really hard not to be racist but unfortunately every one is racist and biased including PAKISTANIS.
A real good friend of mine who is a Branch Manager now Ayaz Allawala worked in barclays for 13 years with amazing knowledge of retail banking never been promoted to a bigger branch had to move to corporate,
another guy still working in barclays branch harrow on the hill use to work in Oxford Circus Aziz Ahmed , experience 9 years in barclays , He was number one personal banker in UK out of 4500 still working as RM ,
Alan Smith experience 5 years in barclays, started as a cashier worked with us in Oxford Circus Currently a branch manager in Vauxhall branch ..
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Very hard to believe. Its the complete opposite to what you see in their media.
talking of Chicago, I heard a story of a Muslim family with small kids. the entire family was handcuffed at the airport and taken in for interrogation just because they were Muslims.
I guess there is only a small minority that experiences that kind of treatment so the rest of the people remain unaware of it?
A small minority faces it, yes. That doesn't mean the rest of us are unaware. We don't take what we have for granted and we do speak out against any injustice we face. And unlike in many Muslim countries, we have the right to speak out.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
If you live like as if you one of them you will be fine but soon as you change your appearance or may be your view points or refuse to Drink or eat haram in your office party or may be ask for a later lunch for your Friday prayer every week thats when you see the actual racism ..
..
I have never had a drink or eaten pork or had drugs. And yet no one has disrespected me in any way about my choices. Actually, most non-Muslims I know show a lot of respect for my beliefs and lifestyle.
But I will add that I try to be open-minded toward others' choices as well. I do not freak out if someone around me is drinking. I try not to judge a person simply because the look, act, or dress differently from myself. That judgemental and self-righteous attitude is very obvious and it makes people immediately defensive and in conflict.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Targeted because of my religion - never.
Targeted because of my race/ethnic background - once, many years ago, at work. A guy who was one level up from me made a lewd comment about the British rule over India and how the Brit lads must’ve really conquered those Indian women if there were people looking like me walking around…i.e a dig at my appearance.
Dude got a good beating. 
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Beating by whom? 
You?
Remind me to watch my steps around you
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Yes, by me.
And i took his job. Dude should’ve not messed with me.
(i’m thinking right about now Sweefa would say something like “he should’ve checked himself innit”…:D)
I wonder what he’s up to now? Probably a washed-up rally organiser for the BNP
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Scarface, I do remember a couple of years ago one of the prayer leaders had asked me to come teach the kids about Islamic prayer and talk to them about the religion. One of the students in the group I did not know well (one who is generally causing trouble), asked me something about why Muslims are terrorists if I claim the religion is one of peace. I actually didn't even get a chance to respond. The whole room full of students cried out in outrage, and once everyone had calmed down I talked to him a bit about it, but he wasn't actually looking for answers, just felt like getting everyone riled up.
But that's pretty much it. Seven years of working at that school, I was treated with a lot of respect, had multiple leadership positions and a lot of authority and trust.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
I was asked questions about religion but not in a bad manner.Like how the fasting thing works and vice versa but they didn't mean it in a bad way.And where I lived Pakistanis are little less and its a hard core republican estate but still I think no one ever discriminated or talked bad about Pakistan in front of me.
Only once someone said to me thank goodness you are here not in Pakistan because its not safe to live there.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Two times. (Germany, Mix cultured area)
Once got an official person asking and then insulting about Women in Islam and Scarf. So had to reply him harsh but not swearing.
Then refusal in a University course. Even I was selected for it but just a week before final day they sent me the refusal letter "without any Valid or non valid reason". Eve though they had enough seats to allow 100 more students. Although the head of faculty is still a patriotic Jew (There are many other cases not only me).
Maybe there are more such cases I have came through but I just forgot and moved on.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
nadz, you live in the UK right? Then you know the term ‘paki’ means so much more than ‘pure’…in the UK the word is loaded with so much negative, racist connotations that it takes someone quite naive to say “it doesn’t mean anything”. How can you say it’s better than being called nigger? It’s the same thing. An offensive racist term…there’s no need to use it imo. It’s not just the shortening of ‘pakistani’…anyone who thinks otherwise is an idiot. Oh and I hate it just as much when a Pakistani uses the term as well. If you don’t find it offensive good for you but don’t try to tell other’s that it’s not a ‘big deal’ when people use the slur.
That being said, I’ve heard over in the US it was never used as a racist slur so I can understand if people from America use the term, but people in the UK should know better. Our ancestors didn’t suffer abuse when they came over here to have us, a few generations later, say that it’s okay to use the term. It’s not about being politically correct it’s about having a staunch opposition to racism.
Urgh. What a crude idiot. I’m glad you kicked his @ss back to the dark ages.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
no, people usually tend to like me even the oldies.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Looking at the responses i am even more confused. I really wish what everyone said is the true picture of the west, particularly USA and Europe.
But if we look at their media and websites, its a different story. I don't know which one to believe.
The way they treat every Muslim/Pakistani at airports, the way their gov. officials tell people to watch out for Muslims, the way their media is all the time finding ways to bash Muslims, it's so different than what people say here.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Look as someone being in the media field let me tell you something, more than half of the time the media is biased to what they want the people to know about a certain place. Also the media projects negativity about a place or subject more than it being positive or even neutral. Do not go by what the media tells you, even if the media is telling you the truth it will be 90% of the times an exaggerated version of the truth. It would be the truth but said in a different way, media people manipulate and abuse what other people say.
It could be that Muslims are searched at airports, it could be racial profiling but it is not that bad as the media portrays it to be. Do not look at the media and the websites. Journalism is most of the times subjective and it does reflect the author's views and personal opinion no matter how much it is written in the fine print that this article does not reflect the author's views. It always is done even if it is not done that much. You can always find different views on the same topic when it comes to media and journalism. I suggest you do take what the media tells you and at the same time take what the people living there are telling you in to consideration too. Sorry to say but only a person who doesn't have the brain to think would totally 100% blindly believe what the media is saying. This is why people are there that analyse and do "mukhbari" on a news report etc.
I am very curious to know where you live Scarface.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Looking at the responses i am even more confused. I really wish what everyone said is the true picture of the west, particularly USA and Europe.
But if we look at their media and websites, its a different story. I don't know which one to believe.
Are you aware of how the Western news media portrays Muslims and life in Pakistan? Are you aware of the fact that many of these news anchors are media whores and have little professionalism? Do you understand that what these people say is not always true, and worse yet, that they spin facts to depict them negatively? However you know better than to believe these. It works the same way about the portrayal of life in America and the UK for Muslims. No one is saying it's perfect, but it the facts are definitely exaggerated.
[quote]
The way they treat every Muslim/Pakistani at airports, the way their gov. officials tell people to watch out for Muslims, the way their media is all the time finding ways to bash Muslims, it's so different than what people say here.
[/QUOTE]
It's not "everyone" that is treated that way, and not every time.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Are you aware of how the Western news media portrays Muslims and life in Pakistan? Are you aware of the fact that many of these news anchors are media whores and have little professionalism? Do you understand that what these people say is not always true, and worse yet, that they spin facts to depict them negatively? However you know better than to believe these. It works the same way about the portrayal of life in America and the UK for Muslims.** No one is saying it's perfect, but it the facts are definitely exaggerated. **
It's not "everyone" that is treated that way, and not every time.
I basically said the same thing as well :)
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
And just to add, I know a few non-desis and non-Muslims who have been held up and searched extensively at airports too. Sure, there's racial profiling, but we know who to blame for that, it isn't the people trying to keep air travel safe.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
There are few people who want this but a large number of people don’t. I have lots of Muslim friends we share every thing with each others. We celebrate festival with each others and enjoy very much.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
well in my almost 25 years in England, i have only come across a few random ignoramuses being racist. ive certainly never been targeted because of my religion. scarface people are a lot more tolerant than the media makes them out to be, the media blows stuff out of proportion.
i also find the term paki really offensivem i agree with everything syraa said. people who use the term are ignorant and sound it in my opinion, be they white or pakistani.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
^ Sorry to Saira and you but I already said I used this term just to shorten the name as so many others on GS do.
Also, many in Pakistan and other countries are not aware of the meaning of paki so the offense is more like a UK thing for us.