Murad*, a newly engaged man from Pakistan let us get a first-hand look at his life in a Pakistani farming village. Murad believes in Islam, as does everyone in his village and everyone from miles around. Western life is very different from living in the rural Middle East. For starters, money is worth less than sons or camels. In the Islamic Middle East, sons are much better because men can generate income while women are stuck in the house, or mud hut we should say. Camels are the main way of transportation and there is practically no police force.
“Islam is a very important part of my life. It is an important part of everyone’s life in the desert. Without religion, our world would be very hectic and empty. We are very religious,” Murad said. He made a very big statement about his religion and how important it is to him.
He also spoke about his person life. He was to be married to a Cholistian Nomad named Shabanu* , and Shabanu’s sister Phulan* was to marry his older brother Hamir. They were having problems with the landlord, so when Shabanu and Phulan ran into him, a fight arose. Hamir was shot, so everything changed. Murad is now going to marry Phulan, and Shabanu is going to marry Rahim*. “This is very sad and very challenging. I thought my life had a clear path, but the worst has happened. I must adapt. I really liked Shabanu. She is so confident, but Phulan is beautiful. This is just so shocking.
“It is very hard living where I live, but you get used to it. You tell me of police, and I am mesmerized. I cannot imagine a place where there are armed people everywhere, stopping the horrors of life. The Rangers are no help. They cannot enforce anything because there are so few and they have little power. If a rich man tells them to stop, they must obey. If we had police, my brother would still be alive. But you cannot change the past, you can only think about the future,”
*= Last names changed to protect interviewee.
