Pakistanis getting to know our Indian Muslim members

[Verve]

My favorite vegetable dishes are chole/chaney, aloo gobbi, bhindi.

Ditto! Chikar Cholay is to die for.

 

[Pan-Islamic-Pakistan]

Kashmiri by origin but born and raised in Faisalabad (till 13)!! Grandparents migrated from Srinagar and settled near Gujrat (Lala Moosa, Haji Chak), both parents born there.

Are you from Faisalabad???

Yes, I am from Faisalabad and Lahore both. My village is between the two. I originally came from Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur, which is the border of South Kashmir and East Punjab.

 

[Pan-Islamic-Pakistan]

I find it very interesting that all of us are from the same general region. Maybe partition effects have made us unyielding and shown us the true nature of Indian state terror.

 

[Verve]

Yes, I am from Faisalabad and Lahore both. My village is between the two. I originally came from Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur, which is the border of South Kashmir and East Punjab.

How long were you in FSD?

 

[Verve]

I find it very interesting that all of us are from the same general region. Maybe partition effects have made us unyielding and shown us the true nature of Indian state terror.

Our elders who migrated experienced and saw the true nature of Hindu rulers.

 

[Pan-Islamic-Pakistan]

Grandparents moved there in their youth during partition. Probably your elders know of them, they are very prominent in FSB.

I will contact you a later through PM in sha Allah.

How long were you in FSD?

 

[Musings]

@jamahir
Hoping you don’t mind - do you live in a mixed community or do Muslims tend to group together?

 

[jamahir]

Im a Kashmiri Butt - my life revolves round food

@Zibago is another Kashmiri ( Butt ? ).

Haleem

I had my first taste of Haleem some months ago. The fried onion gave much of its taste.

and kareley (although I loathe them.)

My mother sometimes fries karela slices and sprinkles a little salt. That removes its bitterness.

For example, the story behind Shami Kabab is about a old, toothless sultan who wanted to eat meat still. His Shami/Syrian cook invented this dish for him and served it with pulao. Hence the name.

I like Shami kabab.

Are you sure you are Indian lol
Every Indian tea I have ever been served has ginger, it has become a joke among my Indian friends, not to add ginger if I am in the group

Thanks, I forgot about ginger. At home ginger is added for the morning and evening tea.

elaichi is definitely the way to go, at least it is among Pakistanis, commonalities huh

Somehow I don't like only elaichi in tea but I like it if added with patta ( cinnamon ) and a little black pepper.

I recently switched from milk tea to Sulaimani tea, it is drunk in some regions of Pakistan also, lost some weight recently too, not sure if it is linked?

Maybe it is linked.

I do make a mean Kashmiri tea myself, make a batch leave it in the fridge, and prepare when the mood strikes.

Does the cold not spoil the taste ? What vessel do you keep it in ?

I wonder if the name Sulaimani chai has any relation to the Sulaimani region of KPK.

@jamahir Does it originate from Kerala and Malabar coast?

Actually I never heard of it, so I am interested now.

From what I understand it has Arabic heritage, but there seem to be various stories

PIP, as peagle indicated, Sulaimani chai is the result of long time relations between the Arabian peninsula and Kerala / Malabar.

This article has more :

Brewed to a beautiful shade of amber, Sulaimani chai is an ambrosial tea made without any milk and served with an invigorating dose of lemon. You may often find a mint or basil leaf floating within, infusing it with fresh herby flavours and a heady aroma. Or, in some cases, a sprinkle of ground cardamom and cinnamon may be added.

According to folklore, Sulaimani tea is believed to have Arab origins. It is said that Prophet Mohammed used to enjoy drinking a beverage called ghava with dates and black pepper (but no tea) added to it. With time, the Arabs inherited the tradition of drinking ghava but made some slight changes to the ancient recipe.

Later, the beverage was brought to the southern Malabar coast of India by Arab traders who were frequent visitors there. The cultural intermingling that followed led to the addition of local spices and the replacement of dates with sugar. Somewhere along the line, tea was added to the drink.

It was also in Malabar that it started being called Sulaimani — in Arabic, the name Sulaiman translates to “man of peace”.

Interestingly, people looking for authentic Arabic ghava should head to Barkas, an area in Hyderabad’s old city known for its strong roots in Arab countries. In winter, dozens of outlets and roadside stalls in and around Barkas offer piping hot ghava priced anywhere between Rs.10 and Rs.20 per cup.

Today, Sulaimani chai is often served after heavy meals such as biryani throughout the Malabar region. A great digestive drink, it is also a little-acknowledged but crucial part of marriage menus in the Mappilah Muslim community of Kerala

No matter how elaborate the wedding feast or that every guest has been stuffed to an inch of his or her life, everyone in this community always has a little room left for a Sulaimani. Simmered to the right shade of gold in huge vats, the tea is served in tiny glasses, occasionally with a few strands of saffron.

@jamahir
Hoping you don’t mind - do you live in a mixed community or do Muslims tend to group together?

There is nothing in your question to mind, bhai.

I personally, mixed. But there indeed are ghettos of Muslims like Mohammed Ali Road area and Mumbra in Bombay ( Mumbai ).

I wouldn't want to live in a ghetto because I would find it an oppressive environment.

 

[peagle]

@Zibago is another Kashmiri ( Butt ? ).



I had my first taste of Haleem some months ago. The fried onion gave much of its taste.



My mother sometimes fries karela slices and sprinkles a little salt. That removes its bitterness.



I like Shami kabab.



Thanks, I forgot about ginger. At home ginger is added for the morning and evening tea.



Somehow I don't like only elaichi in tea but I like it if added with patta ( cinnamon ) and a little black pepper.



Maybe it is linked.



Does the cold not spoil the taste ? What vessel do you keep it in ?





PIP, as peagle indicated, Sulaimani chai is the result of long time relations between the Arabian peninsula and Kerala / Malabar.

This article has more :






There is nothing in your question to mind, bhai.

I personally, mixed. But there indeed are ghettos of Muslims like Mohammed Ali Road area and Mumbra in Bombay ( Mumbai ).

I wouldn't want to live in a ghetto because I would find it an oppressive environment.

Arry baba, no ginger, pleeeease

We cook Karela the same way, you fry it a little in a touch of oil, no salt, then you cook as you wish, indeed it does get rid of the bitterness.
Cinnamon does go well with cardamom seeds, I hope you meant black pepper in Sulaimani tea not desi tea, I've tried it in Sulaimani tea, it wasn't too bad, although I prefer it plain. Tastes so much better when made with loose tea, but tea bags are so much easier lol

My family is a mixture of everything, full Pakistanis, and could also say full South Asian Muslims as we have people from across the border too.
On the Kashmiri side, that is how a lot of families prepare it, you make a batch (without milk) and it will keep in the fridge for a week or two (trial and error), and when you want to drink, you add a little to the milk, again trial and error, boil and you have fresh Kashmiri tea ready to drink. Good luck (emphasis on trial and error)lol

 

[jamahir]

I hope you meant black pepper in Sulaimani tea not desi tea

No, I meant in desi tea. A few times I have done it in moderation and it was okay. Plus I think the masala tea I drink in a particular restaurant in a certain shopping area, has black pepper.

I've tried it in Sulaimani tea, it wasn't too bad, although I prefer it plain.

OK.

Tastes so much better when made with loose tea, but tea bags are so much easier lol

Which brand tea brands do you prefer ? I have had Typhoo and Twinings. The types they produce include Strawberry and Jasmine both of which should not include milk because the milk will curdle.

My family is a mixture of everything, full Pakistanis, and could also say full South Asian Muslims as we have people from across the border too.

How do you or did you meet the Indian side ?

On the Kashmiri side, that is how a lot of families prepare it, you make a batch (without milk) and it will keep in the fridge for a week or two (trial and error), and when you want to drink, you add a little to the milk, again trial and error, boil and you have fresh Kashmiri tea ready to drink. Good luck (emphasis on trial and error)lol

Got it.

 

[peagle]

No, I meant in desi tea. A few times I have done it in moderation and it was okay. Plus I think the masala tea I drink in a particular restaurant in a certain shopping area, has black pepper.



OK.



Which brand tea brands do you prefer ? I have had Typhoo and Twinings. The types they produce include Strawberry and Jasmine both of which should not include milk because the milk will curdle.



How do you or did you meet the Indian side ?



Got it.

Let me clarify, its first time ever I've joined an online forum so apology in how my replies are organised, I like how your replies are arranged

Will try black pepper in desi tea, although I hate messing with my tea, so if you hear a faint swear travelling through the winds, you should know where it came from lol

I am not a big fan of flavoured teas unless they are bagless, but that's such a pain to prepare, so tend to stick with tea bags and black tea. I don't really have a preferred brand as such as I do tend to get bored with taste so change now and then. Once Tesco made a special blend to replicate the same taste as the tea found in Captain Shackelton's hut in the artic, where he died. It was a limited batch and was the best tea I ever had. PG tips and Yorkshire tea are the main brands in the UK, although there is so much choice nowadays.

There are a few stories lol, but without the long story and too many details, other than Pakistani side, one of my Bhabhi is Indian, I've had few Indian girlfriends, and I am extremely close to four Indian couples, Marathi Christian, Behari Hindu, Mumbai based Behari Muslim and West Bengali Hindu, they are all like a family, especially the Mumbai Muslim and West Bengali Hindu. Also, have other friends who are Indian. That's the beauty of Foreign lands, especially the UK, you get a chance to meet everyone and make friends with people you like.

 

[Cherub786]

My dad is a Hyderabadi Indian Muslim and my mom was born in Multan, Pakistan. They got married in Canada and I am their first born son. My dad is now only a Canadian citizen, while my mom is a dual Pakistani and Canadian citizen. Although my dad is not Pakistani, I identify with Pakistan. Recently I acquired Pakistani citizenship on the basis of my mother, though it was a very arduous process due to the stupid, incompetent bureaucracy of NADRA.

 

[Cherub786]

میرا والد محترم احمدی مسلم ہے، لیکن میں نے 12 برس قبل جماعت سے الگ ہوا۔ میں پچھلے سال پاکستان گیا اور روالپندی شہر میں ایک کال سینٹر میں سوپروائسر تھا۔ لیکن کینیدا واپس انا پرا کیوںکہ پاکستان میں مذہبی تعصب بہت بھرگئی۔ وہاں احمدی ہونا ایسا ہے جیسا ناٹزی جرمنی میں یہودی ہونا۔ اگرچہ میں احمدی جماعت سے میرا کوئی تعلق نہی پھر بھی لوگ مجھ پر شک کرنے لگے اور مجھے دھمکیاں دینے لگے۔ بہرحال، یہ رب تعالی شانہ کا بڑا فضل ہے کہ میں کینیدی شہری ہوں اور اس خوبصورت ملک میں مکمل آزادی ہے۔ آزادی کی قدر صرف وہ انسان کرسکتا ہے جس نے پاکستان یہ اس جیسا تیسرا عالم کا ملک کا مشاہدہ کر چکا ہے۔ بالخصوص مذھبی آزادی اور بول کا لب کا آزادی اور آزادی رائ۔

 

[peagle]

My dad is a Hyderabadi Indian Muslim and my mom was born in Multan, Pakistan. They got married in Canada and I am their first born son. My dad is now only a Canadian citizen, while my mom is a dual Pakistani and Canadian citizen. Although my dad is not Pakistani, I identify with Pakistan. Recently I acquired Pakistani citizenship on the basis of my mother, though it was a very arduous process due to the stupid, incompetent bureaucracy of NADRA.

Glad to have you on-board, my brother
May your parents have a long and healthy life.

 

[peagle]

میرا والد محترم احمدی مسلم ہے، لیکن میں نے 12 برس قبل جماعت سے الگ ہوا۔ میں پچھلے سال پاکستان گیا اور روالپندی شہر میں ایک کال سینٹر میں سوپروائسر تھا۔ لیکن کینیدا واپس انا پرا کیوںکہ پاکستان میں مذہبی تعصب بہت بھرگئی۔ وہاں احمدی ہونا ایسا ہے جیسا ناٹزی جرمنی میں یہودی ہونا۔ اگرچہ میں احمدی جماعت سے میرا کوئی تعلق نہی پھر بھی لوگ مجھ پر شک کرنے لگے اور مجھے دھمکیاں دینے لگے۔ بہرحال، یہ رب تعالی شانہ کا بڑا فضل ہے کہ میں کینیدی شہری ہوں اور اس خوبصورت ملک میں مکمل آزادی ہے۔ آزادی کی قدر صرف وہ انسان کرسکتا ہے جس نے پاکستان یہ اس جیسا تیسرا عالم کا ملک کا مشاہدہ کر چکا ہے۔ بالخصوص مذھبی آزادی اور بول کا لب کا آزادی اور آزادی رائ۔

I can read Urdu but not so good at writing it.
I am so sorry to hear of your experience, we as a religious group do need to make peace among our own and develop some maturity. If Catholics and Protestants can make peace, I'm sure so can we. One day, inshallah, stay blessed.