Mar 19, 2023·edited Mar 19, 2023Liked by Natasha Badhwar
thanks for sharing this, Natasha. one has to admire Afzal's steadfast cheeriness in the face of what can be extremely frustrating and disheartening. this was also an enlightening read in that it adds to something I wrote on how Indian Muslims are choosing to go for more "generic" baby names, given our political climate. these names are such that they could blend across cultures, like Sameer or Sahil or Rehaan or, if girls, Zoya or Zara. i hope more families can gather the energy to instead do the hard thing, like Afzal, and be themselves as they are.
Natasha, your writing has given me the space to say this. We recently did a show based on a Sufi Faqeer. There were four of us on the poster. When I circulated it on social media, one friend messaged me to ask if two of us performers were Muslim/from Pakistan. My reaction was like forget it, I am not going to even engage in this conversation. I now see there was another way to handle it, the Afzal way :)
Thank you for writing this. Off late I have become cynical and hopeless about our state affairs and the constant hate is debilitating. You and your husband give me hope
thanks for sharing this, Natasha. one has to admire Afzal's steadfast cheeriness in the face of what can be extremely frustrating and disheartening. this was also an enlightening read in that it adds to something I wrote on how Indian Muslims are choosing to go for more "generic" baby names, given our political climate. these names are such that they could blend across cultures, like Sameer or Sahil or Rehaan or, if girls, Zoya or Zara. i hope more families can gather the energy to instead do the hard thing, like Afzal, and be themselves as they are.
I love love love this piece. It makes me want to hug Afzal!
Such a heartwarming piece, and so much respect for Afzal 🙌🏽 Thank you for sharing!
Did he stay with them then? :)
I love the respect and deep love you have for each other. It shines through in your writing.
what a lovely lesson!
I am Afzal. From Never ending hope to the love of chai.
Many times this thought pass through my mind, what if i was born as a Muslim in today's India? This note inspires me to be like Afzal
You write so well Natasha and afzal is a amazing person! Amita
We could all use a good cup of tea and learn to smile upon one another once again.
Again a beautiful wise piece. Keep it up.
Natasha, your writing has given me the space to say this. We recently did a show based on a Sufi Faqeer. There were four of us on the poster. When I circulated it on social media, one friend messaged me to ask if two of us performers were Muslim/from Pakistan. My reaction was like forget it, I am not going to even engage in this conversation. I now see there was another way to handle it, the Afzal way :)
Thank you for writing this. Off late I have become cynical and hopeless about our state affairs and the constant hate is debilitating. You and your husband give me hope
The more you write about your husband, the more I see you ❤️
Well, I like to worry about the world with a cup of tea in my hand :-)