Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

Lifestyle Relationships
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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

I just identify myself as Pakistani even though I grew up my entire life (since the age of 1 1/2, at least) in Canada and America. If someone asks, I'm a Canadian-Pakistani. But then again, it's weird in my family since all 3 of my siblings are 3 different nationalities, LOL.

As for what I identify most to, it would have to be North America but at the same time my family is a bit conservative so I can't always be on the same page w/ my cousins etc.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

I get what you are saying but I do think parents should keep their identity alive. They should teach their children urdu, punjabi, the positive aspects of culture. My sister was born here (Canada) and she most definitely identifies herself as someone whose family is from Pakistan and perhaps Pakistani herself. Yes, she has the green passport and the card :p and yes, she has barely been to Pakistan and yes Pakistani is not an ethnicity. But that is who she is, Pakistani culture in whatever way has been part of her life so she isn't like a Caucasian Canadian. Pakistan is part of her in one way or another.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

Well to be honest with you, I was thinking of it more as an Islamic site, as I found the site while I was searching for some Islamic topic, It just happened to be Pakistani as well, which was cool.

I'm still into Islam and if anything I'm probably more into the deen than my cousins back in Pakistan.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

But isn't it hard to maintain the language, generation after generation? Ie like all those German American/Canadians won't our children, grand children eventually loose the language?

Like for example, even if you don't speak English with your parents, don't most of you guys speak English with your siblings and other people your age?

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

Canadian Pakistani, that's so cool. I've always loved Canada so much, beautiful country, nice cities, makes Houston look like such a dump lol.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

Peace EDAL

I consider my values to be Islamic and I feel my Pakistani parents to have departed those values to me. When I go to Pakistan and see how different they are to me in mindset, I don't conclude that I must hence be British, but rather that my parents gave me a better upbringing than the circumstances the cousins are in have brought them ... It sounds almost arrogant ... but it does not stop me saying that I am ethnically a Pakistani ... by race. Within Pakistan there will be a whole array of people who think slightly differently from one another. The fact I have come to realise is that since my parents emigrated they have gone in one direction and my relatives in another and when we meet face to face we see that ... It does not make them anymore or less Pakistani than me ... However, I would claim that I have had the advantage of seeing more societies than they have and as a result become fated with a better disposition to make myself in to a person who takes good from where I can and leave the bad ...

I used to admit that I was British when asked on the streets in Pakistan ... Now if I go ... I will say that I am as Pakistani as they are and hope people don't see me living in another country to justify being different if they see in me something they feel is good not to explain it away but to adopt it and likewise I will do the same with them.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

whether its Canadian ideology or Pakistani ideology, i only like to associate myself with good traits that defines my representation as a good human/muslim cuz at the end of the day I know that my Canadian upbringing has no precedence over Pakistani or vice-versa. everything narrow downs to how much of a good person I am with myself, my family, my ummah, and the one in my surroundings.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

Really?

Maybe so. But that sounds arrogance.

I did catch on your arrogance in first post as well. Sorry.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

I've never been there but i know i would feel that knowing everyone in my family.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

To each their own I guess.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

Aight..whatever i am gona say might sound like universal value but to me:

Being polite.
Respect the differences and celebrate diversity.
Don't judge ppl by book of the cover only.
Make friend with different people with different background and religious values.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

^ Xtron is wise

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

Yes, it is and in time it will fade away. I don't believe in forcing things. My sister for example wasn't forced because thats how her family environment is so she picked it up. I will however try my best to teach (not force) my children urdu and about Pakistan.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

^ Yeah. German/Irish/Italian immigrants have been here for 3 or 4 generations (sometimes more) so they are more or less assimilated and the background only comes out on St. Patrick's day or Oktoberfest or the World Cup. That said, as the world becomes more globalized the most dominant cultures (right now probably America and Hollywood) tend to mold other countries to varying degrees (Awais Lovely anyone?) so the differences will be less pronounced.

I agree though, you should be American/British/Canadian because that's what you are, but that's no reason not to identify with your Pakistani background.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

Edal, just out of curiosity. You mentioned identifying with a 'nation,' but not a culture. Do you identify with being South Asian? If not, I can appreciate the sense of dislocation. Losing the language is the first step to losing the culture. This is a nation of immigrants ; a hyphenated identity is the basis for being an American. Assimilation leaves us nowhere, because our differences aren't celebrated, they're deferred to the 'mainstream' culture, whatever that is. (I like how Canadians pride themselves on being a mosaic, instead of a melting pot.) Speaking of which, there's only so much 'culture' you can draw from the American melting pot. Hot dogs, Eggnog, the Mayflower. None of this tells our story as brown people. What about Islam? That's a good identifier, but how far can you embrace it's Arab roots as your own. Just throwing out some ideas.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

I never say this but @chaibiskut , I just blurted out a "HAYEOYE!" like a pervie after reading that.

Ditto, ahem.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

Excellent point as always. :lajawab:

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

^ Cheers, @goodname.

@M_was_here : HAYEOYE! You were missed, pervie. Good to see you back in action. I should swing by F&B more often.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

I gotta disagree with your last point there.

Islam means to submit to the will of GOD, as Muslims we believe the father of man, Adam was Muslim since he submitted to GODs will. We believe that all messengers have proclaimed the message of Islam, since they all taught people to submit to GOD, and all nations were sent messengers. Arabs were just the last people to get the message of Islam, and the final prophet came from among them. Thus for us Islam goes all the way back to the start, to Adam, that's what we believe as Muslims, and that's what I believe.

Also according to the Quran, GOD says he made people into different nations and tribes but the most honorable among men are those who have Taqwa (Ie GOD consciousness, piety, humbleness, a sense of shame etc..) thus the best people are those who do the best at submitting to GODS will ie Islam,. Thus your tribe, tribal culture/customs, language, skin color, those don't mean anything.

For me Islam is a strong identifier and comes before anything else. To me a Muslim is my brother/sister, doesn't matter if he/she is from Bosnia, Oman, Iran, Somalia, or Malaysia. I'm fortunate to attend a mosque which is very very diverse, we have Muslims from prob 15-20 different countries represented, the guys who were also born or raised in the states, I Identify with them pretty well, don't see any difference really, we're good friends.

For me I think it's great being a Muslim in North America (personally i've never experienced anything bad from people, in fact lot of people at work are always interested and curious to learn about Islam), because there are so many Muslims here from diverse backgrounds, you can learn so much, great exchange of ideas, very unique thing going on here.

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Re: Perception of identity changed when I visited Pakistan.

All said and done, why you want to disown your relatives and cousins then?

Are you saying they are not muslims.................... or they are not" good enough muslims" that you would rather not visit them?

People visit relatives not because they may or may not be religious. They visit them to keep families together.

If you think you are probably better muslim than your relatives, then why not do something about them?

Why abandon them and not try to 'save' them?

I think you are trying to rationalize something which has no basis.