Can we maintain our identity and yet effectively integrate into and contribute to the society we choose to live in? After having researched this subject in depth, with interviews and serious conversations with women of diverse Pakistani backgrounds, it seems that few have made a genuine effort to effectively engage with and contribute to the wider Australian society. Despite this I discovered that many are highly educated, have excelled in their own fields and run successful businesses. In order to examine such a broad question however, Pakistani communities within Australia must first be analyzed as a whole.
The Pakistani community in Australia is much smaller compared with those of America, Canada and the UK, countries which were the core immigrant havens. Whilst these traditional destinations have become increasingly saturated over time, Australia has emerged as having an abundance of job opportunities, offering sound educational programs and providing easier access to immigration. These factors have led Pakistanis to divert their attention from the West, to this promising ‘land down under’. Whilst immigration was previously based on skill, now a study or work permit within Australia can be attained and extended to get visas, alongside sponsorships from relatives or friends. Added to this less complex procedure, is Australia’s strong Social Welfare system, and a ‘safety net’ government which offers income support to those at a financial disadvantage – all thanks to the Australian tax payer!
Australia’s emphasis on workplace rights such as the minimum wage regulations, an adequate public health and education system and redistribution policies, means that there is a greater promotion of class equality. Doubtless, this very concept is absent from our country, and plays out in the class hierarchy structure prevalent in many Pakistani communities all over the world. The American capitalist system makes this evident; lending itself to a ‘class structure’ depending on income as there is greater opportunity to climb the social ladder. It is thus interesting to note in retrospect, that such a welfare state prevents the formation of such definitive social classes, and promotes greater integration of Pakistanis from all socio-economic backgrounds.
However, whilst Pakistanis in Australia have managed to integrate well within themselves and do extensive work within Pakistani and Islamic communities, they fail to venture out from these havens of familiarity to contribute to the greater Australian community, which is compromised of the indigenous population, Europeans, Far Eastern Asians, etc. and participate in Australian run organizations such as The Red Cross, The Salvation Army or The Australian Cancer Council.
It appears that not only do we have no leverage over the wider Australian society, but do not wish to do so, as Dr Zarrin Siddiqui, secretary of Ethnic Communities Council of WA (ECCWA) points out: ‘We have received a couple of grants from the Platform of ECCWA and there are opportunities available but is it very difficult to get the women involved in the greater Australian community. So, while in reality the government is doing much for our integration, it is perhaps us who are not taking full advantage of these opportunities.’ She further emphasizes that whilst the class system in Perth is not as obvious, and there is greater integration between women of all backgrounds, the three patent questions every Pakistani woman loves to ask are: ‘What does your husband do? Where do you live, and what school do your children attend?’
Like Dr. Zarrin Siddiqui, who moved to Perth, WA, in 2005 when she was offered a job at the University of Western Australia, there are Pakistani Women who have made a tremendous mark within the Australian community. Dr Nuzhat Lotia, first came as a student pursuing her PhD at the University of Melbourne (one of the top Universities in the country), and now works in the University’s department of management and marketing. Alongside teaching, Nuzhat works as the manager of a community based organization which works with migrant and refugee Muslim women.
Dr Ayesha Aijaz, a university of Melbourne graduate in Dentistry says that the diversity of Pakistani women in Australia is quite astounding, and the decision to pursue a career largely depends on personality and personal preference. She points out that whilst many are from a more conservative background and thus less likely to be ambitious, a lot also depends on the lifestyles they choose for themselves. Many women are content just being housewives. Ayesha herself comes from a Balochi background, but had a liberal upbringing with men and women in her family being given the same opportunities. It is this family background which led to her decision to pursue a challenging career, as is the case with many Pakistani women she meets in societies such as the Ummah foundation (a Pakistani community gathering). That being said, she also asserts that the younger generations of Pakistani women migrating over are integrating into the community more.
So whilst it is evident that there are Pakistani women breaking out of the mould and contributing to the greater Australian society, it is also the case that many refuse to step outside their communities and comfort zones. Whilst such hesitance has been asserted by many as fear of being marginalized, or the subsequent fear of ‘the other’ it is also important to remember that many Pakistanis come from extremely conservative backgrounds and so find it harder to assimilate into the liberal Australian society. For such people it will take years to adapt to this new way of life. Furthermore, often having a smaller community amplifies this fear of losing identity, with present media depictions instilling further Western domination in our minds.
Yes, no doubt, there is racism within Australian communities (especially being a relatively young post-colonial country) and Pakistanis are often the target of this. However discrimination exists within all tiers of society and is directed towards different races, and genders. Despite this the Australian society as a whole thrives on its multicultural heritage and largely encourages integration. It appears that racism is not an impeding factor to integration of Pakistanis, but rather it is our state of mind and the perceptions we hold about the greater society which shapes our attitude towards it.
Rida Ahmed, a student of the University of Western Australia gives us a rare insight. A Pakistani born, who migrated to Australia in her early teens and completed her high school in Perth, claims that ‘By attending a predominantly Caucasian school, I always felt the need to be able to stand out and promote myself as the “Desi” with my unique identity. And I have never had a problem with it! No one has ever, as Pakistanis expect, discriminated against me either in school or in society. I don’t know why that’s become such a dividing issue.’ She further emphasizes that ‘we as people are in the same boat, and whilst Pakistanis and Australians can have a lot in common, Pakistanis or Australians within themselves can have just as many differences.’
So the question must finally be asked. When the Australian government is doing much for the integration and enhancement of living conditions for ethnic communities such as ours (thanks to public taxes) why can’t we move past our own preconceived views and insecurities of identity, and contribute back to a society which takes care of us? Surely this doesn’t mean that we have to give up our own identity, our cultural values, or Islamic practices. That said, the willingness to more effectively contribute to the greater society must be acknowledged. One cannot migrate to another country and yet refuse to participate or give back to the wider community – especially in a social welfare state. Pakistani women have succeeded in establishing what they are capable of abroad; this must be the next step.
