Growing up Kashmiri in Australia
By Saffiya Shabir
Age: 13 years
Running around on Ramadan nights in a pheran, hiding in your mother’s pashmina shawl. Rista for dinner and the yearly trips back home. Growing up Kashmiri is a blessing. However, it can get hard sometimes when none of your school friends know about your beautiful culture. This is where having a community with people who understand helps. Friends who you can bond with, people who make you proud of your culture instead of bringing it down.
I never feel alone because I know I have my Kashmiri family with me.
I’ve been a part of this for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always loved it. We make happy memories- sleepovers, camping trips, concerts, fundraisers, events, all with people who speak Kashmiri, wear Kashmiri clothing and eat Kashmiri food. I never feel alone because I know I have my Kashmiri family with me.
By Aliza Khan
Age: 15 years
The community is very close and I have found my best friends here. We share laughs, good times, and good fun together. The iftaar’s together on a freezing night while all of us are in our pherens playing games near the heater is one of the things I enjoy the most. I enjoy being part of the Kashmiri community here in Australia as together we go on trips like in 2018 the Kashmiris of Melbourne and Sydney went to Jindabyne and had a really fun time, not only were we participating in the fun activities but kids also had the opportunity to play in a Kashmiri quiz all together which was very enjoyable! I’m so happy that I get to be a part of this community.
By Shifa Zubair
Age 15 years
Being a part of the Kashmiri community has helped me grow closer, learn, and connect better with my culture. I have made some of my best friends from this community. This is great because we all share the same background and live a similar lifestyle. We can all relate with each other and it makes it easier growing up as a Kashmiri in Australia. We have made many memories together. For example, in 2018 we all went on a trip to Jindabyne. While we got to do many fun activities such as horse riding and swimming, we also participated in activities related to our culture. There was a Kashmiri quiz and in the evening there would be Kashmiri singing and music. We also have many gatherings such as the community iftaars in Ramadan, the picnics, and the eid celebration.
By Maleeha Azad
Age: 13 years
Australia is where I belong but Kashmir will always have a special spot in my heart. Kashmiri culture inhabits our daily lives with Kashmiri meals served at dinner frequently. The weekends are spent together with my extended Kashmiri family. The special high lights are chit-chatting and warm hearty laugh on a very cold wintry morning with harissa, lavassa and noon chai. The sizzling of the hot oil on the harissa is music to my ears. I look forward to meeting everyone on Eid, dressing up, and exchanging gifts. The trips at the end of the year with Kashmiri families from other states makes me happy. I hope one day I will be able to speak in my mother tongue with this wonderful Kashmiri community.
By Rayan Zubair
Age: 13 Years
Being a Kashmiri Australian is an experience. There are always the Indian and Pakistani schoolmates fighting over you. Sometimes the occasional “where is that”? But it is still an experience. Kashmir is full of culture with its food, clothes, traditions, and people. I enjoy being around other people that can relate to this. That is why it is important to have a Kashmiri community around you. We have many gatherings and occasional getaways. It is fun and really enjoyable. I feel like it is essential to understand your culture and identity. You need to understand who you are.
It is easy to take things for granted. Alhamdulillah, I have a home, a family, friends. When I go to Kashmir, I see the situation that they live in. The conditions over there are not that good. I see how others are living. It makes me feel grateful for my family and my home. Regardless, it is still hard to not get lost in the natural beauty of Kashmir. Kashmir is my identity, my home.
Saffiya you are a great aspiration for all of us.
Your words are making me fell more proud Kashmiri than ever before.
It also makes me realise that I need to do more for my community than before.
Proud of you Jigar.
Allah bless you.
Thank you dear Saffiya for sharing your experience so beautifully!
Beautiful Saffiya! Growing up overseas as a kid, I can so relate to ur words! Having a rich culture you have inherited outside your school and local community gives us a deep sense of belonging, an appreciation of things we can take for granted and a sense of duty to give back in some form! Enjoy these years of growing up with your beautiful family! Goes by too quickly! Hugs!
I wish all those Kashmiris who are living abroad should not forget their culture, as ours is a rich culture……