Latest news with #Mehmood
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cultural fusion: Malayali by heart, Pakistani by passport
They speak Malayalam, savour pathiri, and cheer for Mohanlal. They belong to Pakistan yet are tethered to Kerala by memory and longing. Amid the ebb and flow of India-Pakistan relations, the resilient Malayali Muslim community in Pakistan stands as a testament to enduring cultural ties. Descendants of migrants from Kerala, the Malayalis in Karachi have preserved their language, traditions and cuisine for over a century, yet are an integral part of Pakistani society today. Mehmood Ali, a garment factory owner in Karachi's bustling Lea Market, embodies this legacy. Video-calling from his factory, he smiled: 'You called me from my grandfather's homeland. How could I not show you around?' He panned his phone across a well-lit workspace where workers crafted premium garments for export. His grandparents migrated from Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram around 1916, along with 10 to 15 other Malayali families. 'They brought their language, food, and customs,' Mehmood said. As their businesses flourished, more families from Kerala joined, expanding the community. Today, about 5,000 to 6,000 Malayalis live in Karachi, with a few in Islamabad and Lahore. In 1921, they founded the Malabar Muslim Jamaat (MMJ), one of Pakistan's oldest functioning Jamaats, anchoring cultural and social life. Speaking to Mehmood, what stands out isn't just the historical anecdotes—it's the unapologetic Malayali identity he carries. Born in Karachi, and having visited India only once (Mumbai, 1988), his Malayalam is impressively fluent. I thought I'd have to switch to English. But Mehmood's command of Malayalam surpassed that of many native speakers. He learned it from his parents and MMJ events. But it's more difficult now. 'After visa rules tightened in the late '80s, no one from Kerala could come here to teach. Today, we rely on YouTube and online lectures.' Still, the spirit endures. His children, fourth-generation Karachi-born, understand enough Malayalam to follow conversations at family gatherings. Balancing identities, the community celebrates Pakistan's Independence Day with cultural programmes and cricket tournaments. 'We are proud Pakistanis,' says Mehmood, now MMJ president. 'But our cultural spine is rooted in Kerala.' Yet, all is not rosy. Once thriving in Karachi's food scene with spicy eateries and tea joints, the community's presence has faded. Pashtun and Urdu-speaking migrants from post-Partition India brought their own cuisines, and Malabari establishments gradually declined. 'There was a time when you couldn't walk through Saddar or Lyari without spotting a Malabari hotel,' says Abdul Latif, whose grandparents came from Vadakara. He now runs a general store in Gizri. 'Today, only a few remain. One is Joona Masjid Hotel in Lyari, serving fish curry and parotta with nostalgic defiance.' Latif, speaking in a North Malabar dialect, last visited Kerala in 2001 at age 16. Now 40, he still hopes to return. 'Recent India-Pakistan tensions had a strange fallout,' he laughs. 'My wife and I were removed from our family WhatsApp group in Kerala!' 'They said it was too sensitive to include us.' He is also passionate about snacks. 'Relatives in the Gulf bring banana chips from Kerala. In return, they want Karachi's tooth powder and bubble gum.' He stays updated too. 'I watched the Eranjoli Bridge inauguration online and asked my cousins about traffic jams in Thalassery.' Among the last cultural outposts is Joona Masjid Hotel, locally known as the Malabari Hotel, run by Abdul Rasheed Malabari. His grandparents migrated from Thalassery via Bombay in 1918. The hotel, now 80 years old, has been run by Rasheed for 15 years. At 60, Rasheed speaks fluent Malayalam. He's visited Kerala four times, last in 1986. 'In childhood, many Malayali families lived here. But many returned to Kerala or moved to the Gulf. Now, few remain.' His hotel, still busy at lunch, serves fish curry, kallummakkaya (muzzles), irachi pathiri, and puttu—dishes prepared with recipes passed down through generations. 'Our food reminds people of home. That's why we're still here.' Rasheed, who married off three daughters and one son within the Malayali community, hopes to visit Kerala again. 'But with tensions between the countries, it seems unlikely. I can only hope.' Despite changes around him, Rasheed clings to Malayalam films and comedy shows. 'I'm not into politics. But Mohanlal and Mammootty—we still adore them.' Malayalam cinema helps preserve the language. 'There's charm in hearing our language, even if we've never seen those places.' What's remarkable isn't just that Malayalis live in Pakistan—but how. In a region divided by politics, this community lives in the grey: rooted in a homeland they've never seen, yet loyal to the one they call home. They don't ask for repatriation or special status—only connection. They want visas, not for business but for sentiments. To walk the streets their grandparents spoke of, offer prayers in old mosques, smell banana or jackfruit chips frying fresh. Senior Pakistani journalist Faiz Paracha captures the essence of their place in the nation's mosaic best: 'The Malayali community is a shining example of how cultural roots and national identity can coexist. Their dedication to language and heritage, while embracing their role as Pakistanis, adds depth to our multicultural identity. In a divided world, they quietly remind us that unity does not demand uniformity.' The Jamaat remains the community's heart—organising language classes, welfare programmes and cultural events. For many, it is the closest they'll get to Kerala. 'Even though we're here, our roots are there,' Mehmood reflects. 'It's not about nationalism. It's about belonging.' He dreams of taking his children to Kerala. 'Not as tourists, but as family. To show them backwaters, temples and mosques. That would be enough.' Let this be the story we tell—not of borders, but of bridges. Not of what separates us, but of what endures, he says. (With reporting assistance from senior Pakistani journalists Faiz Paracha and Khuldune Shahid) Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Observer
3 days ago
- Sport
- Observer
Oman return home proud after successful USA tour
MUSCAT: Oman narrowly missed out on a perfect tour finish after falling just nine runs short against hosts USA in a high-octane match of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, USA, on Tuesday. Despite the narrow loss, Duleep Mendis' men can take pride in a hugely successful campaign, winning three out of four matches to consolidate their overall third place in the League 2 standings with 24 points — just behind leaders USA (28) and second-placed Netherlands (26). All three teams have played 20 games each. Scotland are fourth with 20 points from 16 games, followed by Canada (20 from 20), Namibia (14 from 20), UAE (6 from 16), and Nepal (6 from 12). On Tuesday, chasing a formidable target of 294 after the hosts posted 293/8, Oman staged a spirited fight led by a blistering 72 off 51 balls from all-rounder Sufyan Mehmood. However, USA held their nerve in the closing overs to clinch a nail-biting victory, restricting Oman to 284/9. Mehmood's late counterattack, featuring five boundaries and three sixes, nearly pulled off a sensational heist. He was well supported by Vinayak Shukla (46 off 37) and Hammad Mirza (50 off 52). But wickets fell at regular intervals, and Mehmood's dismissal in the 48th over at 273 proved pivotal. Earlier, USA rode on a steady team performance to post a strong total. Saiteja Mukkamalla top-scored with a fluent 73 off 79 deliveries, while Harmeet Singh was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution — 33 off 36 balls and a crucial bowling spell of 3/69. Key contributions also came from openers Smit Patel (41) and Shayan Jahangir (37), with Sanjay Krishnamurthi providing a late flourish through a rapid unbeaten 40 off 27 balls. Oman's bowlers shared the workload: Mehmood (3/58), Aamir Kaleem (2/43), and Shakeel Ahmed (2/52) were among the wickets. Despite disciplined efforts, the USA batters paced their innings well, accelerating at the death to push the total just beyond reach. In response, Oman lost Aamir Kaleem early but skipper Jatinder Singh (42) provided a solid platform. The middle-order trio of Mirza, Shukla and Mehmood revived the chase, and with 21 needed off the last two overs and two wickets in hand, Oman still had a shot. But Jasdeep Singh (3/64) and Harmeet Singh ensured USA finished on top. Although Oman missed out on a perfect four-win record, the team captained by Jatinder, return home with their heads held high. The tour was a strong statement of their consistency and growing strength in the 50-over format. BRIEF SCORES: USA 293/8 (Smit Patel 41, Shayan Jahangir 37, Saiteja Mukkamalla 73, Sanjay Krishnamurthi 40*, Harmeet Singh 33; Sufyan Mehmood 3/58, Shakeel Ahmed 2/52, Aamir Kaleem 2/43) beat Oman 284/9 (Jatinder Singh 42, Hammad Mirza 50, Vinayak Shukla 46, Sufyan Mehmood 72; Jasdeep Singh 3/64, Harmeet Singh 3/69)
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Sport
- Muscat Daily
Oman go down fighting to hosts USA but return home proud after successful tour
Muscat – Oman narrowly missed out on a perfect tour finish after falling just nine runs short against hosts USA in a high-octane match of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, USA, on Tuesday. Despite the narrow loss, Duleep Mendis' men can take pride in a hugely successful campaign, winning three out of four matches to consolidate their overall third place in the League 2 standings with 24 points — just behind leaders USA (28) and second-placed Netherlands (26). All three teams have played 20 games each. Scotland are fourth with 20 points from 16 games, followed by Canada (20 from 20), Namibia (14 from 20), UAE (6 from 16), and Nepal (6 from 12). On Tuesday, chasing a formidable target of 294 after the hosts posted 293/8, Oman staged a spirited fight led by a blistering 72 off 51 balls from all-rounder Sufyan Mehmood. However, USA held their nerve in the closing overs to clinch a nail-biting victory, restricting Oman to 284/9. Mehmood's late counterattack, featuring five boundaries and three sixes, nearly pulled off a sensational heist. He was well supported by Vinayak Shukla (46 off 37) and Hammad Mirza (50 off 52). But wickets fell at regular intervals, and Mehmood's dismissal in the 48th over at 273 proved pivotal. Earlier, USA rode on a steady team performance to post a strong total. Saiteja Mukkamalla top-scored with a fluent 73 off 79 deliveries, while Harmeet Singh was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution — 33 off 36 balls and a crucial bowling spell of 3/69. Key contributions also came from openers Smit Patel (41) and Shayan Jahangir (37), with Sanjay Krishnamurthi providing a late flourish through a rapid unbeaten 40 off 27 balls. Oman's bowlers shared the workload: Mehmood (3/58), Aamir Kaleem (2/43), and Shakeel Ahmed (2/52) were among the wickets. Despite disciplined efforts, the USA batters paced their innings well, accelerating at the death to push the total just beyond reach. In response, Oman lost Aamir Kaleem early but skipper Jatinder Singh (42) provided a solid platform. The middle-order trio of Mirza, Shukla and Mehmood revived the chase, and with 21 needed off the last two overs and two wickets in hand, Oman still had a shot. But Jasdeep Singh (3/64) and Harmeet Singh ensured USA finished on top. Although Oman missed out on a perfect four-win record, the team captained by Jatinder, return home with their heads held high. The tour was a strong statement of their consistency and growing strength in the 50-over format. BRIEF SCORES USA 293/8 (Smit Patel 41, Shayan Jahangir 37, Saiteja Mukkamalla 73, Sanjay Krishnamurthi 40*, Harmeet Singh 33; Sufyan Mehmood 3/58, Shakeel Ahmed 2/52, Aamir Kaleem 2/43) beat Oman 284/9 (Jatinder Singh 42, Hammad Mirza 50, Vinayak Shukla 46, Sufyan Mehmood 72; Jasdeep Singh 3/64, Harmeet Singh 3/69)
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Doctor shot dead at hospital
A renowned medical specialist, Sheikh Mehmood, was shot dead by unidentified suspects at Fatima Hospital under the jurisdiction of Sajid Shaheed Police Station, on Friday. The killer was in fake uniform of Suthra Punjab project and was impersonating himself a sweeper. He had come to hospital for medical checkup, and shot dead doctor on getting a chance. DPO Sargodha Suhaib Ashraf and investigation officers reached the spot, shifted the body to a hospital for necessary legal formalities and started search operation to arrest the killer. Meanwhile, district police arrested 24 criminals across the district. Police spokesman said that teams raided at various localities under their respective jurisdictions and netted 24 suspect besides recovering narcotics and weapons from them. Separately, police on Friday after launching a crackdown against Proclaimed Offenders (PO) and court absconders netted a proclaimed offender under its jurisdictions. According to police, teams raided at different localities and netted accuse namely as Hasnain (40) who had killed Muhammad Manzoor (43) on a minor brawl and was wanted in murder case.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Third man charged over Bradford car park shooting
A third man has been charged with attempted murder following a shooting in Bradford.A man in his 20s attended hospital on Saturday 19 April with a gunshot wound following an argument between several men in a car park on Oak Lane in Manningham, West Yorkshire Police Ahzar, 24, of Dartmouth Terrace, has also been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger is due to appear at Bradford Magistrates' Court later. Two other men have already appeared in court in connection with the Mehmood, 23, of Carlisle Place, and Mohammed Kamal, 24, of Girlington Road, were both charged with the same are due at Bradford Crown Court on 21 May for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
