Writers Group; the next instalment
I peek out of the window and see that it is a lovely sunny day. Perhaps, I will be able to walk the dog to my favourite spot. It’s the one which, although in Birmingham, always takes me back to my birthplace. It happens especially on days such as this. Maybe, it’s the way the light hits the bushes and all the wild grasses. Both locations have such a higgledy piggledy feel; so wild and wonderful. But for now, I am with my writing group. I check on their homework progress. Some of them tell me they were able to visit my website and read the...
read moreUs and Them
I met my youth worker friend at the gym this morning. It had been quite a while since our last conversation. There were a couple of minutes, in the steam room, when we talked about his plans to politically educate the young people he is working with so that they can make informed decisions at election time. We agreed that they shouldn’t vote for someone just because he (when are the Pakistani women going to come forward!) was from their community or biraderi, extended family. I suggested he should invite all the political parties, one at a...
read moreMy name
My name is Karamat, Comes from Pakistan, It’s Urdu, you see. My uncle gave it to me. It gets used and abused. Some pronounce it kara-mat and some just a plane K Others kramat And others ramat And others still kramatt. In some parts of my Hometown, people even call me Karamjit. My uncle didn’t expect it to be abused, only used, properly. He thought it was beautiful. It really* is! It means miracle, best written in Urdu. Just ask if you are not sure how it goes. *Thank you...
read moreIs diversity all about differences?
A few years ago as a part of my voluntary community work, I was involved on the management committee of a Birmingham community advice centre. One day I bumped into a fellow Pakistani. When I told him about my involvement, he said “are there other ‘apne log’ (our people) involved there?” When Asians use this Urdu phrase, they almost always refer to not just people of their own ethnicity but also to those who come from the same clan, ethnic community and district. The advice centre concerned was run under the auspices of a Church of...
read moreWriting about nothing!
I had the privilege of meeting a group of young people and starting the next ‘Writers of the Future’ group. How fortunate I am; being able to work with such engaging people, surrounded by books (we were in the school library). I so love what I do. I feel a bit of an imposter calling it ‘work’ though. My world today is so far removed from that of my elders. That was WORK. For example, my father used to walk for days with his donkey to different parts of Pakistan, transporting goods for businesses and, later, doing back-breaking shifts...
read moreBirth of a new charity
It all began in 2007 while I was visiting my Mum in Pakistan. On day two, I was woken very early by the azaan, call to prayer. I began to think about the local community where most young people aspire to go to England. I wondered whether they could be encouraged to think differently. How about if more of them had better prospects here? What would help to make that happen? Given my own life’s journey, there was only one answer; EDUCATION. So, I began to think about how more young people could be encouraged to succeed in education. I spoke...
read moreBig-brain man
“Hi, how are”?, I said. “Oh fine”, he replied. “Good Christmas?” I said. “Great thanks. I spent it in Bruges.” “What”, I said. “Bruges. I went to Bruges”, he said, emphasising where he had been for Christmas. “How interesting”, I said. He explained he likes to go there so he can practice his French and Portuguese. “You must be very clever”, I said.” You must have a big brain”. “I do agree with you on that”. His response surprised me. He said it in such a matter-of-fact way. I don’t think he was being...
read moreParallel worlds in Moseley
After a year’s break, I decided to have another go at stewarding at the Moseley Folk festival. Where else can you be useful to your community, meet friends and neighbours and experience some excellent music as a part of the bargain? And all this for free when you are a steward. Not bad at all! By Sunday, I had done my two shifts of duty so I could just enjoy the programme. But then, I remembered that I had wanted to go to the Eid Mela taking place the same afternoon. So, I decided to take a detour and first pop down to Canon Hill...
read moreIs that second breakfast or first…
“Is that second breakfast or first?”, I say to the man. “First. I didn’t have any when I left home”. He told me he had been at work since 6. “I finish at 2; something to look forward to”. We then had a conversation about this being his regular shift. He didn’t mind it really; much better than when he worked the three shifts. It took me back to another time. Those early days of the shift system starting with the help of people like my dad. They were willing to do any job, at anytime, anywhere. The money was good. Much better...
read moreThe art of conversation
My family know that I am always talking to strangers. This is because I have a theory that everyone has an interesting story they can tell about their life’s journey. There have been times when I have gone out to do something such as pop down to the shops and taken ages. I will have struck a conversation with someone I met for the first time and will be there listening and talking. Such encounters provide plenty of ‘me too’ opportunities. Today was no different. Out walking my dog, I saw a lady coming towards me. I had not seen her...
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