It's true that the worst problem facing us now is the assimilation of Muslims to the American culture. Our "desi" values are way too different to reconcile with the American mainstream of life. So many people have said that they came to America for better education. That's great....but we must not forget to teach our children and younger generation about our traditional values that we were raised with. And definately...we must implement Islam in every aspect of our lives. No matter where one lives....if we follow the principles of Islam and keep our iman pure...we will indeed live virtuous lives.
I was born in London but my parents actually moved back to Karachi when I was a year old.
Then got disillusioned and returned to London. I am ETERNALLY gratefull for that.
Some of us tend to be arrogant in our views of FOBs. But we forget that we are not superior to them and nor did WE do anything to achieve whatever we have. It was all our parents hardships and struggles that got us here. If they do nothing more for us in this lifetime..then this was enough. They gave us the tools and the environment in which we can do anything, be anything and go anywhere without hinderence! You cannot do any of these back in India or Pakistan. I go to these two countries every 5 months and always return thanking Allah for the opportunities that he has blessed me with.
But we should also not loose our culture while we are here. Its not hard! It's a pleasure to be an Indo/Pak in the west. I would find it a lot harder back home.
dear punjabigal and rubiya
please explain what does it mean to be american or westernized .
if a guy supports mdchester united or say a i said GO BULLS did that make me americanised . no i do n't think so . as far as IMAN is concerened do n't they utilize alchol bak home . it just the useless restriction imposed by parents that make the things go wrong . other wise no offence but i can n't see any problem in saying prayers on a nude beech . well if you leave home to say prayer at such a place thats a different thing then . i hope you understand what iam asking .
U r absolutely right...Islam goes across cultures...that is the beauty of the Islamic faith...no matter where u r, it is always the truth. I dont think one is defined as americanized by shouting "GO BULLS" When I talk about becoming westernized, I am referring to the people who assimilate totally and internalize american values. For example, the desis that go out on dates, go to the prom, pick up the shameless western dress code (girls wearing shorts, tight tank tops, etc), going to bars/NUDE beaches....astagfar...laholawalakuwata. Its a disgrace when I run across such people. I dont deny that living in America offers a person a great many opportunities. Of course, a muslim can practice Islam anyway in the world but environment does influence ones behavior. If you r proud of being muslim, u will stay away from becoming too interested in dunia and its pitfalls. But praying at a nude beach....that is the most contradictory thing I have ever heard!!!
After reading all that has been written, I guess my reasons were the same as pretty much anyone else - yes North America brings a better standard of living and education as well as other things that prosperous regions have and I am grateful for that, but my parents made that decision and I am certain that had it been me in that place I too would have done the same.
The things that bother me are that if we all want Pakistan to become better (a total balance of modern life our religion and culture) then well someone from here is going to have to take the lead. Most of us have lived in both ends of the globe and are aware of what kind of changes Pakistan needs. You can bet your bottom dollar that no one from Pakistan can lead it into prosperity since they have nothing better to compare their life to. Yes sacrifices will have to be made on parts of those who choose to give back to the land which they dearly love. Those sacrifices will be difficult and will truly test their spirits - but mark my words that some one from here will make that lead and I hope that many of us join the march to success.
By the way, I too understand how difficult life is out there, since I have been back many times after moving to Canada. We cannot expect someone else to do our job. As the current generation some of us will have to take the lead
Reagan:
Well, by my standards the things some Saudis do are also considered Kafrana. But I have no right to decide that. As long as you are true to your faith, who cares what anyone else thinks. You are the one who has to answer to Almighty Allah, right?
'AnokhaUK' seems to be a very honahaar member. Keep it up.
As regards to what must be done about the growing frustration of Pakistan's declining morals...well I once read that- General Poalo di Bartolo meo Avitabile- Peshawar-ites call him Abu Tabela, since they could not pronounce his long and unusual name was in the service of Maharahja Ranjeet Singh, who promoted him to the ranks of Governor of Peshawar. He had a verys simple and unusual remedy for law breakers. He would drag the person to the heights of Masjad Mohabat Khan's minerats and push them down. He used to have a powerful telescope and used to onserve any misdeeds of the residents. He is till this day remembered as a brutal but swift. Although compared to the great larceny Pakistani living in Pakistan commit these days, the offences of residents of Peshawar in the times of Abu Tabela are trivial indeed.
We need another Abu Tabela to set things right for Pakistan. We have tried civil rules, distatorship, military janta, democracy and what not. What we need is 'ACCOUNTABILITY'
We need a honest person with guts to dispense justice with objectivity.
I had registered myself and had no difficulty posting before. But recently, I am being asked to insert my 'username' and 'password'. I do it but sometimes I forget and the whole post (which I prepare very carefully, I might add) gets lost in cyberspace. In order to avoid that I try registering again but the message I get is that this username is already registered!
I wonder why it refuses my post on the first place, then.
I had sent two 'sos' to the 'hosts' or 'administrations' over a period of two weeks, but I should have known better that they are Pakistanis too!
I know it is my exposure to the corrupt western culture, but can you help?
I've had the same problem you mentioned...I either used the back function and regain my post...or write it on Word...and cut and paste to gupshup....thereby saving my responses.
I think someone brought up the question in the Guestbook forum a while back.
If the above doesn't work..ask the admin in guestbook section.
----- "But in this long journey you have lost your kids, your culture, your identity, your values, in exchange for material comfort." -----
Above quote from Dard is totally out of line and untrue;
Reason:
You can still raise your children with true Islamic morals (in fact we educate our children better here than people do in Pakistan) and make them aware of Pakistan's true culture instead of the idiotic gana bajana and mehfils that occurs otherwise;
The main problem is that parents need to become role models first by following the above values themselves then only can the children be raised accordingly;
More often we get busy in our own selves and before we know too much time has already passed.
Couldn't agree more with Rabia786 and punjabi girl; Zainab, dont know why went nuts !!