By Muhammad Mian

& Afreen Nawaz

mianmu@mnstate.edu

I am a 21-year-old daughter of a Muslim family from Pakistan. One of my classmates, who is currently a student at MSUM, asked me to take this opportunity to represent Pakistani women, and I am pleased and honored to share with all the gorgeous girls, clever boys and everyone else what I think is important to tell you.

Every religion, culture, custom and area, whether it’s yours, mine or of anyone else’s, is thought to be virtuous and requires respect for its teachings and esteem for followers. We do respect the women of every minority here. They have same opportunity in life as the majority does.

It seems to me many people don’t know anything about the common Pakistani women I represent. Some people think  they know, but they have misunderstood.

There are very few who actually know about truth. I can tell you what it is really like,  as I know how I am treated, what I think and what I have.

I see worldwide media and have an idea of what others may think of women in Pakistan. People think of me as deprived, oppressed, deserted, abandoned, unauthoritative and most importantly, unhappy.

That assesement is false, untrue and misjudged; that is not what I am. I am a blessed girl with a religion that is a complete code of life, good traditions to follow, a balanced community to live in and a country to be proud of. I have all the joys of life as every other women of the world.

Every education and opportunity is available for all women; I am a student of Business Administration in a reputed university in my own country. It’s not just me, either. I represent a big percentage of women in contemporary Pakistan who have the same life as I do.

Currently I am a princess of my parents until I get married and become queen of my own home and husband.

Women are valued in our religion and culture. Since our birth is the same as boys, it has been declared by our religion that birth of a daughter is Rehmat (blessing) and a boy is a Nemat (reward) from God for their parents.

The person who does not have faith or does not respect this saying is not even considered to be a Muslim. It proves the value and importance of women in our society which has very deep roots in our religion. Denying or disgracing women can even push you out of the faith, and no one will consider you or your deeds to be Muslim.

It is clear now there are few among us who live in our society who do not follow norms and values; they are highlighted more. Media takes them as proof of a norm— representatives of a general practice in our society.

Stereotypes are built on the basis of those who are no longer considered one of us. The point I want to make is  it can be considered as an individual act but not as a generally supported  action.

As we grow, all our necessities and financial well-being are dependent on our parents and guardians. From birth to marriage, responsibility is on them.

After marriage, life changes a lot. Women move to their in-laws’ home. Some families are not welcoming, and this transition is worsened for few new brides, but cases are rare. Nevertheless, our religion and culture requires realtives to treat women as they want their daughters to be treated.

Pakistani husbands are caring, loving and respectful to wives; I have seen my own father and many other relatives act this way.

This all creates an immense love between a couple. That is one of the reasons why we have a lesser divorce rate. The relationship strengthens by time, attention, devotion and commitment. This is what a typical Pakistani woman wants.

Seeing all this on our partner’s part, wives usually take their time at dressing tables, putting on makeup and getting ready before their men knock on the main gate after several hours of work.

The most important stage of women’s lives starts when they give birth to a child after marriage.

Islam has taught us that our Paradise lies in our mother’s feet. Looking after your old parents, especially your mother, is considered greater than all good acts.

Every child through the last born tries to get blessings by putting smiles on their mother’s face. The mothers are always respected and loved as in every other part of the world. I think this is one of those things that are common regardless of any race, color or nationality.

This is a just glimpse of a long story; this article is just to give you another dimension or an entirely new view to think about.

We wish you happiness in your life and fun in your days.