Sunday, August 8, 2010

Safarnama (A journey...............to nowhere)

I had the chance to witness a beautiful wedding on the beautiful Islands of Hawaii, a Muslim girl from Pakistan marrying a Hawaiian native, though they may have many differences but one thing common was the love! the essence of the universe and the creation, though I was enjoying every moment of the wedding but I could not help to think about those little little who were barely able to walk when I left Kashmir and now they guided to the path of revolt and destruction by the elders of the community. Kasmiri's were always hospitable people but for some reason they were divided on the name of religion, it was very rare to see a cross cultural cross religious marriage in Kashmir, this would not be an acceptable practice no matter how much two individuals were in love with each other, in other words one has to be careful who he are she can fall in love with. I remember a Sikh Gentlemen who was in love with a beautiful Kashmiri girl and the family was moderate and had no objection to the marriage but the only condition they had was that he had to convert to Islam, but when boy refused to to that, he was told that at least he has to pretend in front of the relatives so they were not thrown out of the society or Kashmir, guy agreed to the arrangement after all he wanted to marry her, so they got married in a private ceremony outside of Kashmir and the rummer was that he converted to Islam and they are happily married, now the problem was relatives wanted to see the new converted groom who still had his turban and unshorn hair, cant be Muslim at least one has to look like a Muslim to pretend being a Muslim but being a Sikh you cant pretend to be a Muslim unless you live in Iran (they somewhat look like Sikhs)! Well girl was able to pursued the husband to cut his hair for her sake, so the hair went off but he still had a turban as he did not wanted his family to be excommunicated by the Sikh society he was pretty much out of the fripane and into the fire, but they had strong love for each other so he will leave home very quietly wearing a turban and sneak inside the home when none of the relatives were around, most of the time they would call each other to make sure no new relative (problem) is at home, they were able to run this show for a month and one day Dr. Singh is returning home but as soon he reaches home Ms. Khan is running around like a Dora fish making sure no one inside sees him with turban on, so finally Mr. Singh shows up and expects Ms. Khan to Open the door, as soon as the door opens Mr. Singh turban goes flying into neighbors yard, He is surprised! wife is no angry then why this? she whispers we have relatives inside, now he gets the picture, so he walks inside the home and greets every one and seats down every one has a question for him and why your skin is two tan on the forehead? Da.... he wears turban but they don't know that so made and excuse and started talking about politics and how beautiful Kashmir is etc stc. but again bell rings and neighbor walks in without invitation with a turban.." I think your turban fell down in our Yard"..... I still imagine what it would be like to be in that situation! but they are happily married and live south India, Dr. Singh wears his turban and Ms. Khan is still Ms. Khan never changed her name or religion so people can live together love each other and religion should be a medium to unite not divide, but any way I was happy to see a couple who could live happy ever after despite being two different backgrounds, amazing part of the wedding was that the God Mother of the Muslim girl was a Jewish women, Imagine what people would think of it in Kashmir? This wedding was the perfect example of that we are created equal human beings but divided by the religion or society. I could not notice to see the tears in the eyes of God Mother who despite had no blood or religious relations still loved her like a daughter.
It reminds me of a beautiful Poem:

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