CM has suggested that I am not Pakistani - that because my loyalty to the country of my birth is greater than my loyalty to the country of my parents birth, I am not Pakistani
I’ll be the first one to admit - I am a fiercely patriotic Canadian - Canada has offered my family and me some wonderful opportunities. But I don’t feel beholden to Canada, I feel a part of Canada. Amongst the western nations, I believe it is one of the more tolerant and inclusive nations (yes, my personal bias here). Certainly, Canada has its share of faults, but none that tarnish it in my eyes.
But in addition to being a Canadian, I also call myself a Pakistani. A frustrated, disenchanted, but nevertheless hopeful Pakistani, who has pride in the spirit of Pakistan’s people and who thanks Pakistan for sheltering her forefathers more than half a century ago. I continue to pray for the betterment of the nation and the safety and prosperity of her people.
So, then my question - can I claim myself as Pakistani if my loyalty to the country of my birth is stronger than the country of my parent’s birth? Does loyalty or patriotism need to be equal to both countries?
For the rest of the hyphenated citizens of other countries - are you Pakistani and what makes you Pakistani?
And does loyalty or patriotism need to be blind or absolute or is criticism by a hyphenated Pakistani fair and credible?
Sehrysh sister your Pakistani through and through and you know why?
Becuase Pakistan is no mere dot of land in South East Asia it was an ideology a dream, not just of a nation for Muslims, but something worth dying for… something beyond just this world… this is at least my belief.
If you put a 150kg chain with a 10 tonne anchor at the end round my waist and dropped me in the middle of the Ocean I would still be Pakistani… if you blew me to bits at the mouth of a 175mm Howitzer then even my tiny pieces will still be part of Pakistan…
Pakistan is more than just a country it’s an ideology a spirit born in every one of us just like the fervour of the Yanks and the Zeal of the Zealouts… Paksitan is undestructible!
Even if the political entity of Pakistan was wiped off the map you would still not get rid of the Pakistani spirit in each one of us… Pakistaan Zindabaad!
If the criticism is viewed as constructive then a people/country/nation wishing to better itself will not care whether it comes from a patriot, a zealot, a traitor or a hyphenated anything.
To summarize.....it doesn't matter who is saying what....it's about how you receive the information.
To answer your other question.....am I Pakistani? You bet I am.
What makes me Pakistani? The belief that we are deserving of a nation distinct from others. The belief that my parents gave up so much to start afresh in a new and unknown land so that I could have a better future. The belief that I would be a traitor if I let their sacrifice be wasted.
So, then my question - can I claim myself as Pakistani if my loyalty to the country of my birth is stronger than the country of my parent's birth? Does loyalty or patriotism need to be equal to both countries?
how can you be loyal to another country and when there is going to be not 'test' of your loyalty??
And does loyalty or patriotism need to be blind or absolute or is criticism by a hyphenated Pakistani fair and credible?
again..there is no test of loyalty which hyphentated people have to go through.......and about the criticism.......its easily understandable when someone is criticizing whether the criticism is out of loyalty or superiority complex.......
you guys are cuckoo, most of the people on GS are born or live abroad, of course there will be some love for the country they grew up in. Why gang up on Sehrysh
you guys are cuckoo, most of the people on GS are born or live abroad, of course there will be some love for the country they grew up in. Why gang up on Sehrysh
you guys are cuckoo, most of the people on GS are born or live abroad, of course there will be some love for the country they grew up in. Why gang up on Sehrysh
Nobody is going to gang up on Sister sehrysh I wont let em :ASA:
you guys are cuckoo, most of the people on GS are born or live abroad, of course there will be some love for the country they grew up in. Why gang up on Sehrysh
LOL Nisha - no one "ganged up" on me. It was a question, inspired by some harmless banter with CM. I am just soliciting ideas and discourse on the topic.
Does loyalty or patriotism need to be equal to both countries?
For the rest of the hyphenated citizens of other countries - are you Pakistani and what makes you Pakistani?
And does loyalty or patriotism need to be blind or absolute or is criticism by a hyphenated Pakistani fair and credible?
I don't think the loyalty could ever be equal for both countries, or at least not for me and they don't have to be. I will love them both for different reasons.
As for what makes me a Pakistani- I think the language, the culture, the rehan sehan. And somewhere, it's hard to put it in words, but a connection that I feel for it.
Nobody is going to gang up on Sister sehrysh I wont let em :ASA:
who ganged up on sehrysh?? nobody did...
LOL Nisha - no one "ganged up" on me. It was a question, inspired by some harmless banter with CM. I am just soliciting ideas and discourse on the topic.
didn't mean to sound so serious there guys:p i know how CM is and in no way do i take what he does so seriously or negatively, i was in a hurry so i forgot my smiley at the end of that comment....was actually trying to give my input on the topic b/c it applies to all non resident south asians or abcds
It's simple. If you hold a Pakistani citizenship (not merely eligible for it, but actually have it), then you are Pakistani, legally speaking. It doesn't matter if you hold Pakistani citizenship but are not loyal to it, or if you are loyal to Pakistan but not a citizen - both these cases make you not Pakistani.
To me, you are a Canadian of Pakistani citizenship. Would you describe a white Canadian, descended from Welsh and Scottish parents who moved to Canada in the 1940s, as being British?
@ Mad Scientist - fair enough. But then by your definition someone who holds citizenship in Pakistan (let's assume that they are a resident of Pakistan), but he/she is not loyal to Pakistan - what would they be, as you yourself have said that they are not Pakistani?
Personally, I couldn't care less about the borders set by us humans merely for controlling immigration not for defining us as individuals.
My place of birth is Saudi Arabia. Does that automatically make me a Saudi? Or do I need an official confirmation for it in the form of a passport? Who knows, perhaps I am about to get an official confirmation that I am Irish? Even though I've spent the bulk of my life in Ireland, this isn't home to me no matter what the documents say. My passport actually says I'm a Pakistani, not because thats where my parents are from but because thats where **I **belong, thats where my roots are and I proudly embrace that. Some guppies have already jokingly said that I'm not really a Lahori but, as I said, I have never cared.
I understand why Pakistani origin folks (1st and 2nd gen) identify themselves as Pakistani. However the trend will gradually die out in the 4th/5th generations.
not true there rizla buddy, there are italian americans that are 4th or 5th generation and still are very proud of their italian culture, they are still holding on to it. they act more italian than italians in italy
i’m feeling the world cup fever too, i’ll be hoping pak wins too, why not, cricket has nothing to do with patriotism, it’s a sport, i might be indian American and have love for both parts of me but i think the pak team looks pretty strong :k:
Well your loyalty should be to your country of birth but to be totally fair you’re not truly a Canadian and not a Pakistani. You’re in a limbo. For example you’ll never be accepted in Canada 100% and you will never be accepted 100% in Pakistan either. That goes for American/British Pakistanis too…
I’m personally Muslim first and foremost then a British of Pakistani heritage. That’s how simple and complicated it gets.
You'd get shot for supporting Pakistan if you was in India :p
i know a couple indians......totally like born and raised......hindu guys on top of that, that think the pak team is very strong and do support it against all other teams. they seem to be alive and well :p it's just sports
i know a couple indians......totally like born and raised......hindu guys on top of that, that think the pak team is very strong and do support it against all other teams. they seem to be alive and well :p it's just a sport
I'm going to link my Indian friends to this post :p
