Monday was Pakistan
Independence Day - 70 years on from the day the country was created. I
have never been much of a nationalist, but my family in Pakistan are and I have
certainly married into a family of real patriots. My father-in-law served
in the Pakistan army and fought in two of the Indo-Pak wars.
Many others in both my husbands and my extended family are retired from
or currently serve in Pakistan's armed forces.
I have heard lots
of people trolling online and in
some cases not trolling but stating what they genuinely believe - that Pakistan
is a failed state, that it is a corrupt country that should never have been
created, that it is a bedrock for terrorism. Never saying anything
positive about the country, but exaggerating negative things when they have
never actually been to Pakistan.
My experience of
Pakistan is that like any other place it has it faults and flaws, but some
things stand out that make me really proud: the beauty of the people, their
compassion and hospitality. The sense of fun of my husband’s home town
Lahore, some of the most beautiful landscapes and places, a young and ambitious
population that is starting to make strides insh'Allah,
built on the shoulders of their elders, who have built the country with their
immense contribution.
Most of all when
i see the situation of Muslim's in many places I am grateful for a country
where Muslim's can practise their faith safely.
So on its 70th
birthday I make an abundance of dua for
Pakistan: May Allah (SWT) keep it and its
people safe and well, may it prosper, have plenty and develop further into a
country where everyone is happy and has a beautiful future. May its
people and land be blessed always insh'Allah.
I also send my
best wishes to Indian's who celebrated their Independence Day the next day –
may you prosper and feel safe. May your
people live in harmony and have abundance and may you always see us friends and
not your enemies insh’Allah.
I usually don’t do anything,
but this year I fancied joining in the fun a little, so we celebrated by joining
the party on the main road outside our home, dressing the babies in green and
drinking slushees.
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