WhiSP 10 July 2006
Posted by MOZAFFAR in Culture, MOZAFFAR.trackback
I like that elite Pakistani accent that some of the elite Pakistanis have. It’s sort of diplomatic, sort of aristocratic, and all charm.
Interestingly, I’ve never heard this accent from a native Pakistani. All the Pakistanis with the accent live in the West.
I thought Pakistan’s formation was supposed to be something phenomenal. It’s a country literally etched out of nowhere. It’s created to be a modern, moderate Islamic State. It comes through the vision of the greatest Muslim intellectual of the past century.
But, one of the fast growing populations in America is the population of White Suburban Pakistanis (WhiSPs). You know a WhiSP when you see one.
1- More zealous about Pakistan than any native Pakistani.
2- Has lived in Pakistan (if at all) for only a fraction of his/her life.
3- Found legitimation when Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was discovered in the West (and had not him/herself heard of NFAK until then).
and,
4- Couldn’t give two cents of care about Islam. Prays twice (a year).
I met this WhiSP as I was walking out of the local mosque. Just completed the Friday Prayer. Don’t ask me what the khutba was about.
He arrived in this shiny silver Beemer. Carrying a gift, he asked me where the local Islamic Center was. Apparently, he didn’t notice the gold dome and minaret and the green bumper stickers on half the cars. Maybe he didn’t want to embarrass the clown who came with him.
Seemed like a nice guy. I thought he was coming to a birthday party, until I realized that that lady was no clown.
But, they both had that wonderful accent that I really do like.
Fiction.
other|matters 
lol, funny but curious about present… for what and whom?
Salaam Mozaffar,
As an owner of that infamous Brit-Paki-Amreeki accent (but not of any attribute but #2 – does 8 years count as a fraction?) I really enjoyed this piece.
If you can’t laugh at yourself… :)
Warmly,
Baraka
Salam The Turk and Baraka,
The Turk: I was describing persons who were coming to the mosque, but for some purpose other than prayer. Mosques/Islamic centers are commonly used for weddings and parties. Hence the gifts were for something along those lines. The point about praying twice a year was also a subtle jab at people who only pray on Eid.
Baraka: Plenty of my relatives have that accent also. I’m glad you liked it.
Thanks for your posts.
May Allah bless you.
Omer M
It is shame we can’t attend mosque more. I live in Calgary and the nearest mosque is two hours from me and on hill. I don’t drive so I take a bus and walk. I have been twice to the mosque in the last year and half in calgary. The Eid namaz is held in a hall near my house so I always attended that.
I should go to the masjid on my days off. I, however, am cursed with terrible malady laziness. In winter it is worse. When it -25,-35 you don’t even want to leave your house.