When Pakistanis are grouped with Indians

[delhi2lahorekarachi]

Re: When Pakistanis are grouped with Indians

@SpiceGirl

Mmm Ive actually thought about this before. I think in the west people tend to think the muslims are Pakistanis and Indians are hindu. I only interact with muslims, Ive noticed Indian muslims (mostly friends) don’t mind being associated with Pakistan and tbh I consider them long lost Pakistanis lol. But hindus would def be considered Indian. … I guess it depends on what angle you take and what exposure other people in the west etc have about South Asian politics. … I tend not be called Indian (coz of the hijab) they just think some muslim chick lol. But if I was I would definitely correct them because I am patriotic but not in a OMG how dare you tone. You’ve just gotta educate people because they don’t have that exposure. … On another note, Ive noticed Pashtuns/lighter skinned Pakistanis don’t get classed as Indians because as racist as it sounds they TEND to be lighter skinned and associated with countires that are KNOWN to be fairer and more tanned Pakistanis get the Indian label (which is what Ive noticed). … But then again Ive seen really light skinned Indians get labelled as arabs etc. … Now that I think about its basically based on what the media portrays or how a group of people are shown to the masses. …Then it also comes to cultural similarities in weddings rasms etc, which people tend to class as one culture - u and I might understand the differences but to the untrained eye its the same… I don’t think you should feel necessarily negatively about, its just the way things are I guess.

Is it a conscious decision to only interact with Muslims or just who you happen to come across? Is tht hard to do in the west when you’re surrounded by so may non muslims? Actually i know indian hindu girls who are flattered to be called pakistanis. It’s good you keep away from the unholy non Muslim Indians. It is best not to get too close to them in case you get contaminated. But it is totally cool to interact with non indian non muslims they won’t rub off their bad habits into you. I have met 2 Indian hijabis. And some British pakistani hijabis who identify as British more than Pakistani because you know Tony Blair’s sister in law is a hijabi. UK is a secular country as is India so nothing wrong with it. I guess they may be less common in India and UK compared to Pakistan but definitely they do exist. Also there are many proud Pakistani Hindus like Deepak Perwani. But I agree to people in the West Indians=Hindu and Pakistanis=Muslim and they are treated accordingly. I’ve had some people from the UK say “oh that’s good you’re Indian. We don’t mind Indians because they’re not…” Then i have to say actually there are both Muslims and Hindus in India and Pakistan. That one shouldnt generalise about Pakistanis as the number of good Pakistanis outnumber the negative experiences they’ve heard/come across. I definitely think you should be prouder to be mistaken as Arab than Indian. What is the point of fair skin if one can’t pass for middle eastern or Arab?