• Top Story
  • Weekly
  • Latest
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Feature
  • Sports
  • News
  • J&K
  • World
  • Education
  • Health
  • Economy
  • Culture
  • Literature
  • Lifestyle
  • Books
What's Hot

Belt and Road Initiative: How Real is ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’?

January 8, 2025

Why Pegasus Report Must be Made Public

December 25, 2024

America’s Waning Global Position

November 4, 2024
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • Belt and Road Initiative: How Real is ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’?
  • Why Pegasus Report Must be Made Public
  • America’s Waning Global Position
  • Book Review—Shawls and Shawlbafs of Kashmir
  • Hundreds of Sheep Face Starvation as Forest Officials Bar Grazing
  • Photo Essay: Fire Fighting Service In Dal Lake
  • Pheran—How Kashmir’s Traditional Attire Evolved Through Centuries
  • Pheran—How Kashmir’s Traditional Attire Evolved Through Centuries
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
 Kashmir Newsline – Expression Unleashed Kashmir Newsline – Expression Unleashed
  • Weekly

    Weekly Dec 25 – Dec 31, 2022

    December 25, 2022

    Weekly Dec 05 – 11 Dec,2022

    December 7, 2022

    Weekly Nov 28 – Dec 04, 2022

    November 30, 2022

    Weekly November 21-27

    November 22, 2022

    Weekly November 14-20

    November 16, 2022
  • News
    1. India
    2. South Aisa
    3. World
    Featured
    Recent

    Belt and Road Initiative: How Real is ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’?

    January 8, 2025

    Why Pegasus Report Must be Made Public

    December 25, 2024

    America’s Waning Global Position

    November 4, 2024
  • Feature
    1. Interview
    2. Literature
    3. Editorial
    4. Opinion
    5. Top Story
    6. Books
    7. View All

    Interview: ‘Travel, Observing and Tasting is the Best Way to Learn’

    October 2, 2023

    AS Dulat’s Kashmir Stories

    February 4, 2023

    Interview: ‘People are Deeply Pained by Mirwaiz’s Absence from Jamia Masjid’

    November 16, 2022

    ‘Abrogation of Article 370 has Made Kashmir More Dangerous than 1990s’

    October 18, 2022

    The Poet of Love—Daagh Dehlvi’s Poetry has Native Idiom and Sufi Undercurrent

    May 30, 2023

    The Breadth and Sweep of Sahir Ludhianvi’s Works

    March 8, 2023

    Memories of Gulmarg

    January 28, 2023

    ‘If This Language Lives On, Rahi Also Lives On’

    January 18, 2023

    Kashmir Needs Collective Fight against Glaring Drug Abuse

    December 27, 2022

    Healthcare Emergency

    December 7, 2022

    Traffic Mess: Who is to Blame? 

    November 30, 2022

    Give the Artists the Space They Need

    November 23, 2022

    Belt and Road Initiative: How Real is ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’?

    January 8, 2025

    Why Pegasus Report Must be Made Public

    December 25, 2024

    America’s Waning Global Position

    November 4, 2024

    Writer’s Block What!

    October 8, 2023

    Belt and Road Initiative: How Real is ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’?

    January 8, 2025

    Why Pegasus Report Must be Made Public

    December 25, 2024

    America’s Waning Global Position

    November 4, 2024

    Book Review—Shawls and Shawlbafs of Kashmir

    September 12, 2024

    Book Review—Shawls and Shawlbafs of Kashmir

    September 12, 2024

    Book Review: The Divine Dialect of Flowers

    October 5, 2023

    The Collision That Birthed Religion

    March 18, 2023

    Book Review: What is the Meter of the Dictionary?

    March 2, 2023

    Belt and Road Initiative: How Real is ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’?

    January 8, 2025

    Why Pegasus Report Must be Made Public

    December 25, 2024

    America’s Waning Global Position

    November 4, 2024

    Book Review—Shawls and Shawlbafs of Kashmir

    September 12, 2024
  • J&K

    Hundreds of Sheep Face Starvation as Forest Officials Bar Grazing

    March 14, 2024

    Photo Essay: Fire Fighting Service In Dal Lake

    March 8, 2024

    Tatakooti—Challenges of Owning a Towering Peak

    October 5, 2023

    Interview: ‘Travel, Observing and Tasting is the Best Way to Learn’

    October 2, 2023

    What is Ailing the Apple Farming?

    September 16, 2023
  • Lifestyle

    Eating Together Binds Families

    November 22, 2022

    How Smartphones are Harming Children

    October 25, 2022

    Raising a Champion

    October 11, 2022

    The Reluctant ‘Urban Poor’

    August 28, 2022

    The Reluctant ‘Urban Poor’

    August 21, 2022
  • Economy

    Explained: What is a Credit Score and Why is it Important?

    December 27, 2022

    Rights of Special Bank Customers

    November 30, 2022

    How to be a Socially Responsible Investor

    November 23, 2022

    Stock Exchange Crimes

    November 16, 2022

    Avoid Debt Trap

    November 8, 2022
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Sports

    Tatakooti—Challenges of Owning a Towering Peak

    October 5, 2023

    When Salim was in the Mood

    July 12, 2023

    Why Does Team India Fail Consistently?

    December 27, 2022

    Hail Ben Stokes and Co.

    December 7, 2022

    England Tour of Pakistan

    November 30, 2022
 Kashmir Newsline – Expression Unleashed Kashmir Newsline – Expression Unleashed
Home»Lifestyle»Beyond Indo-Pak Politics
Lifestyle

Beyond Indo-Pak Politics

Kashmir NewslineBy Kashmir NewslineJuly 14, 2022Updated:July 14, 2022No Comments5 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
NA100818-MS-INDOPAK Ð ladies form Pakistan and India from UAE MUMS Indo-Pak unity holding Indian and Pakistani flags to celebrate upcoming independence day at Sahara center in Sharjah on Sunday Ð Photo by M.Sajjad
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

How a lively group of women in Dubai revels in esprit de corps.

Sana Altaf

It is 6 pm and the scorching summer heat of Dubai has started to subside. There is haze in the air as the humidity soars. Roads are busy with office-goers returning home. Cafés and restaurants are getting packed with customers. It is amid these end-of-the-day activities that Dubai’s parks start coming alive. Children of different age groups arrive at their neighborhood parks with water bottles, footballs, and cricket kits. Some children ride bicycles, others come on scooters.

It is common for their mothers to accompany them after an exhausting day of work at the office or running errands at home, giving them a chance to unwind quietly away from the din and rattle of daily life. Their conversations center around children, fashion trends and the best salons in the town.

Amid laughter and playfulness of children, these women, hailing from different countries including India, Pakistan, and the conflict-ridden state of Jammu and Kashmir, present an ideal example of harmony and peace. Between them, there are no boundaries or divisions, no politics or hatred.  They share life, laughter, and pain.

Talking to these women, one feels how humanity can never be taken over by politics.

“We have never felt any distinction between Pakistani women and those from India, Kashmir, or any other place. Our differences don’t exist,” says 34-year-old Samar, a sales associate in Dubai. Samar hails from of India.

Every day after work, she brings her two daughters, 8 and 6, to play with other children.

“As our children enjoy playing around, I sit and chat with other moms. I can rely on each of these women like I would on my own sister,” says summer with a glint in her eyes.

Amina, 29, from Jammu and Kashmir, was anxious about interacting with the members of the group during her early days in Dubai.

“India and Pakistan have been at odds over Kashmir for many years. When I first saw women grouping and making friends together, I was astonished,” says Amina.

“Back home in Kashmir, no woman could imagine that Indian and Pakistani women could share such a close bond,” she says.

“As I joined the group and started interacting with them, I became more open-minded. It dawned on me that we are all one. Political figures make it all look dirty,” says Amina who moved to the UAE in 2016 and now works for a real estate company.

“When I told my family back home about how well all communities are connected here, they were amazed. I now buy gifts for my Indian and Pakistani friends whenever I travel to Kashmir.”

Shazia, 37, remembers her first day in Dubai seven years ago. She was missing her social life, family, and friends.

“I would stay at home all day, lonely and missing my social circle back in Kashmir. Then one day, while on my evening walk, I met a Pakistani woman who thought I was also from Pakistan,” says Shazia.

They chatted and exchanged numbers. Gradually, they enjoyed going for evening walks and talking on the phone.

“I started feeling better and would wait for evenings to meet her. She then introduced me to her group of friends. I was surprised how much I was welcomed,” she says.

These women’s friendship extends beyond their evening gatherings. They lend a helping hand to one another when in need.

“When it is needed, we babysit for each other. If anyone needs help, we will go out of our way to see what we can do. We all know we are a family here, “says Ayesha, a Pakistani.

Another member of the group is Razia who is from Afghanistan. She is popular for hosting regular parties at her home.

“We know about each other much more than our nationalities. We try each other’s recipes and dress styles. We celebrate our national days together. Our children are best friends,” chuckles 40-year-old Razia who has been raised in Dubai.

While some women in the group are working professionals, many are running small businesses. They help each other secure customers, share business ideas and help in whichever way they can.

32-year-old Aliya from Pakistan recently started her babysitting service. She gives all the credit to her Indian friend Poonam for guiding and encouraging her.

Poonam has been involved in babysitting services for 5 years.

“When I told my friends I need some extra means of income, they gave me a lot of ideas and showed so much support. And when I decided to start my babysitting business, Poonam would actually send her customers to me so I could take off,” says Aliya.

The women say they try to make each other financially independent, without harboring any jealousy.

“We try to empower each other in small ways. And this is what has kept us going so far,” they say in unison.

As for the political situation between India and Pakistan, the women say the people of both countries do not hate one another. They believe politicians sow the seeds of hatred.

“We all know that people have no fault. It is the politics that is dividing the countries and the people,” the women agree.

“Here, we all work and live together. You can’t tell the difference. This is what the world needs to see.”

Meanwhile, the air starts getting cooler as the sun begins to sink into the horizon.

The vivacious group of women and their children gather their belongings to get back home.

They hug and say goodnight wishes, only to meet again the next day for another relaxing-chatty evening together.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Kashmir Newsline
  • Website

Related Posts

Eating Together Binds Families

November 22, 2022

How Smartphones are Harming Children

October 25, 2022

Raising a Champion

October 11, 2022

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Top Posts

Team India’s Next Big Thing

July 6, 202227,463 Views

Why This Alpine Lake Trek Stands Out

July 6, 202225,423 Views

India’s Majoritarian Politics and the Role of Media

July 6, 202224,120 Views

Fragile Media Economies and Lack of Opportunities in Kashmir

July 6, 202223,225 Views
Don't Miss
Top Story

Belt and Road Initiative: How Real is ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’?

By Kashmir NewslineJanuary 8, 20250

BRI’s transformative potential extends beyond economic development. It has the power to reshape global trade…

Why Pegasus Report Must be Made Public

December 25, 2024

America’s Waning Global Position

November 4, 2024

Book Review—Shawls and Shawlbafs of Kashmir

September 12, 2024
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from SmartMag about art & design.

Based out of Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) and brought out in print as a weekly with online presence as well, Kashmir Newsline is solely committed to ethical, fearless journalism. We at Kashmir Newsline cover politics, geopolitics, international relations, social issues, health, sports and almost everything else as objectively as humanly possible. Kashmir Newsline carries detailed reports and in-depth analysis on multiple developments happening in Kashmir and around the world.

Facebook X (Twitter)
Our Picks

Belt and Road Initiative: How Real is ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’?

January 8, 2025

Why Pegasus Report Must be Made Public

December 25, 2024

America’s Waning Global Position

November 4, 2024
Most Popular

Team India’s Next Big Thing

July 6, 202227,463 Views

Why This Alpine Lake Trek Stands Out

July 6, 202225,423 Views

India’s Majoritarian Politics and the Role of Media

July 6, 202224,120 Views
Facebook X (Twitter)
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Politics
  • J&K
  • E-Paper
  • Contact Us
© 2025 Kashmir Newsline. Designed by NexG IT Solutions.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Go to mobile version