Over a month and still........?

Question

Ok, I'm an American woman visiting Pakistan until December 4th. I've been here since October 8th and I'm still alive. I've gone out on a few occasions uncovered, red hair shining in the sun, due to some weddings I was invited to and because my former father in law said it was OK. In Quetta, same story. If Pakistan is supposed to be overrun by die-hard extremists and if that rumor of every American coming here gets killed is true, then why is it after over a month of being here and a lot of travelling various parts of the country, I'm still alive and never even received a dirty look? If what these people who wish for the death of every Muslim say is true, how is it that this American white skinned at times uncovered woman is still alive and her children are in great health? Could they be wrong as we have been saying all along? Could those who hate us be wrong that all want to kill Americans and that no place is safe? I think so, what about you?

Answer 1

First of all, you are saying there are people who wish for the death of every Muslim. Those people might be out there, but there are very few of them. There might also be people who think all Muslims hate all Americans, but these are few in number as well. In this respect, your whole "question" is a bit of a straw man.

Secondly, your trip isn't over. Just because you haven't been harassed doesn't mean you won't be. And if you are, does that mean the Muslim haters are correct?

Thirdly, does your one example speak for the entire country? Has there ever been a foreigner kidnapped or killed in Pakistan? If there has been then you are as wrong as those you argue against.

I would never speak absolutely against a population I have not personally experienced, but you cannot deny the questionable perspective held by many Muslims. You cannot deny there are Muslims out there who *do* wish for the death of all Americans and all Jews. I would venture a guess they outnumber those in American who wish death to all Muslims. Your anecdotal argument here does nothing to dispel this fact.

You have been uncovered "at times"? All the time? If not, then why not? Are you afraid of offending? If so, why? It sounds like you may be choosing to be covered in situations where you know you have the highest possibility of harassment.

I do not wish anything bad upon you, but I encourage you to avoid counting your chickens before they've hatched. Some might say you're showing some real hubris.

Answer 2

I'm not sure that you're in the right forum for this question, but since it's here, all throw in my 2 cents' worth.

I don't know if ANY body is saying to kill all Muslems. That's just as bad as when Hitler wanted to kill all Jews!

Different parts of Pakistan have different types of Muslems, some more radical than others. There ARE radical Muslems who would kill an American, especially a woman, especially one who is uncovered, but I rejoice that you haven't met any.

Like Americans, I think that most Pakistan people just want to live and let live.

Again, I'm happy that you're still alive, and I trust that the rest of your vacation time will be just as safe.

PS - send postcards :-D

Oh, and what do you think of the food? How does it differ from American food?

Additional comment - I just realized, but your name is "Proud Muslimah" - are you telling the truth about being a red-headed American woman? Or are you just trying to pick at straws and tear down straw men just to make others look bad? Where's the truth?

I think this deserves an answer, because either you ARE who you claim to be, or you're not!

Answer 3

i think you are blessed. you have not experienced some of the fools that engage in that type of behavior. where you are is a dangerous place, true enough....but that does not make all people living in pakistan...nor all muslims, murderers and hatemongers. the media only goes for stories that will interest the public. lets face it...dirty laundry is what people want to hear.
do not be foolish though....please be careful because even though the majority may not be like that...it only takes one to kill you. be nice to the people of pakistan and show them love. you are an american. you are representing our country. but still...for your own sake....just be careful and realize there IS some radicals out there looking for an occasion to steal the spotlight...which makes you a target. wish you well....stay safe.

Answer 4

Well, you're either lying or delusional. Look, I saw the video of that congressman who said walking around Iraq was like spending the afternoon in an Idaho market. Or, some stupid analogy like that. I also saw the 20 or so bodyguards surrounding his butt in a shot that was not focused on his face. Not only was he lying about how casual things were in the area but he was also on an army base where the likelihood of a suicidal bomber was unlikely.
Stop spreading your filthy lies. What goes around, comes around.

Answer 5

The same was with me, both times I went to Egypt. I went for 6 weeks the first time, and three the second. I went to major touristy places, big cities, AND the countryside (in-laws live in delta area), and never did I get a dirty look, a nasty comment, or otherwise feel I was in any danger (excluding all taxi rides, lol!). Actually, people often mistook me for an Egyptian, so when they discovered I was American, they got so so excited! And I'm not overexaggerating.

Well, I do have one story of a nasty little lady, but I liked the way it ended. I went to a new mosque for taraweeh but I was late for aisha, so after doing to sujood I stood to make up the two I missed. I was standing at the end of the line during taraweeh, but another sister (niqabi) had come in late so she came next to me. When I stood and was finishing my prayer, she leaned across me to talk to another sister on the other side, at the same time nudging me to move to the other side of her. I thought this was odd for a niqabi sis to do, but I was okay with it. So taraweeh began again and I'm at the end of the line. I'm tall (6' to be exact), and no one there was over 5'6", lol! My knees stuck out before hers (same niqabi sis), so she tapped my knees during tashahuud. I didn't know at first, so then she grabbed my knee and started pushing back until I moved back to make an even knee line with her. As if all that wasn't bad enough. The imam gave his khotbah and we started taraweeh again. Most of the sisters were chatting with each other, so they really didn't hear the imam finish and begin the prayer. Some had started to make the line, so I jumped in while the rest were finishing their conversations and getting up, made takbeer and started my prayer. The SAME niqabi sis then came next to me, said something to me which I believe might have been a request to allow her to stand next to her friend, and dragged another sis with her. Basically pushing me to the end of the line. At this point I was upset and wondering why someone would treat her sister like this. When the prayer was finished, the sis next to me (niqabi's friend) was speaking to me which I felt was an explanation or an apology for what her friend had done. Of course I didn't understand her so I told her I'm not Arab and in short that I was American, Muslim, and didn't speak much Arabic. By the end of Taraweeh, the whole group knew I was American, and were sooo excited, lol! They made a circle around me, got a sister who spoke English, and was asking all sorts of things. They were so sweet masha'Allah. At this point, the niqabi sis was standing behind the group of sisters and I could see the shame on her face. I still wonder why she was more ashamed when she found out I was American rather than being ashamed when she knew I was her sister. Oh well. I felt her shame and embarassment were enough revenge for me, lol!

Other than that, I had a wonderful wonderful time and wouldn't hesitate to go again. I hope your trip is just as wonderful, and hope you make it home safely!

Answer 6

YOU ROCK!

Thanks for proving that we shouldn't always believe the hype. Media is controlled by corporations that have something to gain. Open your eyes everybody! :)

Does "America" represent ALL Christians around the world? Then why aren't we all dressed like nuns? It's the same for other places. One little group can't represent the masses. We're all human beings!

Answer 7

there is a difference between the outward projection of a country and its hospitality and experience once you are there.
I think people are either basicly nice, or basicly don't care that much to want to hurt you. Pakistan has a history of aliience with the west, such as the brittish Raj, so it is not as opposed as the middle east to westerners.

I hope you remain safe, but it is a volitile political region, and I wouldn't want to be there personally.

Answer 8

There are places there that would in fact give you dirty looks, but then, if your spending the greens there, then they may look over that, plus you have family-friends there too to look over you.

Have a Great time though, and be safe

peace and blessings

Answer 9

there are more extrimists in america but thay dont follow Islam so the americans think it is ok

Answer 10

pakistan? ive never heard of any violence in pakistan
pakistan rocks