Asian Sunday issue 9

08 The soul and radiant colours of DIWALI

13

Understanding the perception and practice of Homosexuality in Pakistan

01 NOV 2015

Issue 9

FREE NATIONAL

Britain’s FIRST FREE Sunday Newspaper

Your FREE copy of Asian Style Magazine Inside

14 Ghap Shap with Citizen Khan star Adil Ray

Working Tax Credit Cuts:

Are Asian communities

hardest hit?

Within months of the general election, the Conservative party has suffered a damaging series of defeats on plans to introduce radical reforms of the Working Tax Credit scheme. Earlier in the week, the House of Lords controversially voted to halt the cuts until the government produces a scheme to compensate low-paid workers for three years. On Thursday, MP’s and backbenchers worried about the backlash to the tax credit cuts voted on a backbench motion calling on the government to “reconsider the effect on the lowest paid workers of its proposed changes to tax credits due to come into force in April 2016, to carry out and publish analysis of that effect, and to put forward proposals to mitigate it” Official figures show that the majority of areas with the highest levels of recipients of working tax credits have significant percentages of Asian families. The UN’s committee on the covenant on economic, social, and cultural rights (CESCR) announced that it plans to ask the British government how its austerity measures affect, in particular, disadvantaged and marginalised individuals and groups. There is a focus on the impact upon ethnic minorities.

Read more on pages 6 and 7

HAPPY DIWALI FROM THE ENTIRE TEAM AT ASIAN SUNDAY

2

Issue 9

ASIAN SUNDAY

NEWS Britain’s FIRST FREE Sunday Newspaper

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Shaker Aamer is the last Brit in Guantanamo Bay to be released Shaker Aamer, the last British prisoner held in Guantanamo Bay, was released on Friday and is due to arrive in London.

Aamer, 46, was imprisoned 13 years ago after bounty hunters in Afghanistan captured him and handed over to US forces. He was subsequently taken to Guantanamo Bay, the US military prison in Cuba, where he has remained without charge or trial.On 25 September, the Pentagon announced that it would repatriate Aamer to Britain,

although there were doubts as to whether this would actually happen.

He was previously cleared for release in both 2007 and 2010.

But, speaking in Vienna yesterday, Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond confirmed Aamer's release.

His imprisonment has been widely contested, and several key figures have campaigned for his release, including Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and singers Sting, Roger Waters and Peter Gabriel.

Man responsible for London’s sex attacks is arrested

borough, said: "We are aware A man has been arrested in connection with eight sexual of eight assaults which we are assaults within three weeks linking at this early stage.

"We have increased police in south London. patrols in Clapham and Brixton Hill and urge women The Metropolitan Police said to think of their personal the man from Lambeth was safety." detained on Thursday and The first incident happened on remains in custody.

Clitheroe Road at about Officers are continuing to 11.30pm on 9 October when a appeal for witnesses and 23-year-old woman was grabbed and sexually information following the assaults in the Clapham and assaulted. She managed to raise the alarm and the Brixton Hill area. suspect ran off.

The attacks have targeted The two most recent attacks lone women late at night in happened on 28 October. residential areas and all Anyone who has any victims were aged in there information or witnesses 20s and 30s. should call the MPS on the Superintendent Rob police non-emergency line on Applegarth, of Lambeth 101.

Transgender woman Tara Hudson loses allmale prison appeal A transgender woman who was sent to a men's prison has lost an appeal against her sentence.

Tara Hudson, 26, from Bath, was jailed and placed at the all-male HMP Bristol for 12 weeks after admitting assault.

Her case prompted a campaign, backed by thousands of supporters, to get her moved.

During an appeal hearing at Bristol Crown Court, the judge asked for consideration to be made about where she serves her sentence.

Llewelyn Sellick, The Recorder of Bristol, said Hudson had a "worrying criminal record" which contained "numerous offences".

"It is for the prison service and not the court to establish where a sentence

Two teenagers arrested over TalkTalk hack attack Last week a 15 year-oldteenager, was arrested and bailed in Northern Ireland in connection with the hacking. It now seems that the Police have made a second arrest, of 16-year-old boy from west London.

The TalkTalk website was hit by a "significant" cyberattack last week.

The phone and broadband provider, which has over four million UK customers, said banking details and personal information could have been accessed.

Officers have also searched a residential address in Liverpool, the Metropolitan Police said.

News of the hacking first emerged on 28 October with the telecoms company publicly warning customers that fraudsters could use their details.

should be served," he added.

Over 140,000 people have signed petitions calling for her to be moved, with supporters claiming she has been placed in danger of sexual violence.

Hudson has had reconstructive surgery and lived as a woman all her adult life but is still legally a man.

Last Friday, the make-up artist was jailed after she admitted head butting a barman in Bath, causing damage to his teeth.

She has eight previous convictions including offences for battery and had hoped her punishment would be less severe.

But magistrates said the assault, which came three weeks after

Chief executive Dido Harding later said the scale of the attack was "smaller" than originally thought, and that any credit card details accessed would have been incomplete.

MPs are to launch an inquiry into the cyberattack, with culture minister Ed Vaizey saying the government is not against compulsory encryption for firms holding customer data.

Hudson had been given a conditional discharge, was so serious that only custody could be justified.

She was sent to HMP Bristol, which holds around 600 men.

Guide TOP TIP FOR SKIN It’s not just women

Y best eateries in Bradford & District

Issue 9

men can also banish spots, signs of ageing and dry tight skin.

The products we all shouldn’t go without

by ZARA HASSAN

ASIAN SUNDAY

3

THREE FOODS TO TRY AN AVOID DURING FASTING NEWS

Through the decades, every era has had its own particular fashion trend focusing on prints and styles. We can now

If you’re planning on buying vintage I think you should always start small, shop with something in mind.

Three foods you’ve been item, told are ‘healthy’ that actually and can cause seriouspiece health in my opinion would be aincrease coat. It’sweight something small yet amore statement toproblems. introduce to your other clothes.

cleanser, a good face w•asConcentrated h and an exfoliorange ator. juice – Most concentrated juices can cause problems around the waistline, which include, cranberry, apple and other fruit juices. ious elements outif of the fruit during the concentration You should also invest Buying vintage doesn’t mean designer labels but you’re into designer labels look process. for Dior, from the 50’s or Gucci and water. So contrary to what adverts say it is believed starting your day with a big glass of concentrated juice is a in an eye cream just to really bad decision. brighten that area that . convenience where it is Labour MP Chris Matheson will be gentle to skin.

• Margarine, is another fat storing food, but has more serious health risks.

It can cause you to gain weight, wipe out your good cholesterol increase your bad cholesterol by A great modern fashion piece that we still see on our high street and is a timeless piece is leopard print. registered. has called on the UK The 21-year-old put an abrupt endButter is a better alternative. Butter has fat in it too, but it’s a saturated fat that your body can burn for fuel instead of building up blockages building up blockages in your arteries. authorities to investigate the Her credit card, which was Images as early as those from ancient Egypt show women rocking leopard spots. to his concert onlike Thursday evening in your arteries, trans fats can do.

PRODUCT mysterious disappearance of not found among her after performing his hit song personal effects, was used a British woman from a OF THE "Boyfriend". wasit’safter was Are you as shocked as we were? Bread is High in Carbs and Can Spike Blood Sugar Levels • At numberIt three wholeBieber wheat bread. after she vanished.

Disney cruise ship near WEEK wholefans grain throwing bread usually isn’t made fedEven up with water on out of actual “whole” grains.

Ms Coriam's MP Chris Mexico four years ago.

Matheson said he feared the stage that he decidedLeopard to workprints always represent power and femininity, pin up girls like Marilyn Monroe celebrated glamour Rebecca Coriam, 24, from and sexualThe starches in bread get broken down quickly in the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream as glucose.

This causes a rapid spike in blood sugar and insulin levels. she was murdered and has Chester was last seen alive off. ity inblood this way called for a UK inquiry.

Even whole wheat bread spikes sugartoo. faster than many chocolate bars. on 21 March 2011 on board In his Little Dictionary Fashion Christian Dior spike said “But wearand leopard must have kindtoofthefemininity which is ashe little Most breads are made of pulverized wheat.

They areofeasily digested and rapidly bloodtosugar insulin you levels, which canalead notorious blood sugar “roller the ship where worked as He said: "I believe there's Footage by fans'overeating. smartphones sufficient evidence to coaster”shot and stimulate Well, you’re probably allfair thinking the main bit sophisticated.

If you are and those sweet,aredon’t wearfoods it...” you eat for Suhoor (The Pre-Dawn Meal). a child minder shows Bieber mopping the stage indicate a crime may well Beasure to choose yourself something leopard print from the rails next time you’re on the high street, add a bit of glam into Here are and some tips to for healthy Suhoor with a shirt trying reason She fell overboard from the have taken place.

Have fun your wardrobe with a leopard print dress, a shirt, a cardigan and even some trousers (if you’re daring enough).

Disney Wonder near Mexico. with the young fans in the front row Suhoor (The Pre-Dawn Meal) with it and remember always try it on before you buy.

Her body has not been found. "Whatever the throwing theit is water.

For suhoor, imperative to drink plenty of water, eat a good blend of protein, carbohydrates, and essential fat. That’s right, “good fats” have many fat-burning and muscle-building properties, and theiran imporcircumstance, there's Bahamas police investigated "Never done.

I'mRamadan. not doing tance mind. is even I'm greater during Some good suhoor foods include: because the ship is registered obligation to investigate.

Simple Kind he to Eyes the show," said before stomping worst fear is Rebecca in the island state,(which leaving it My • Protein shake • Raisins or dates • Olive oil – preferably extra virgin means it’s cold processed and the Soothing Cream, • the Egg stage, whites (1 yolk) off removing his Coriam was murdered." outside UK jurisdiction.

• Cinnamon • Fibrous vegetables –This will help inessential fatty acids are preserved) £3.99 from Boots.

• Chicken breast "Now is the time for that sweatshirt and throwing it on the handle things the rightcrease way the butfeelingBieber been ordered to has twice • Bananas of fullness as well.

• Plenty of waterThere are calls for all • Oatmeal investigation to take suspected crimes at sea ground.

I'mHoney human and I'm working on peanut • Raw, dark • All natural butter take anger management classes -Use all these products • Cream of wheat place," he added. involving UK citizens to be Bieber apologised on • Flax seed oil – once after admitting to taking part getting better," he added. daily or later as advised The Cruise Lines investigated by the UK Instagram.

"Unfortunately people were and you’ll be amazed in an illegal drag race on a Miami authorities. Former Deputy International Association It is to the take a solid multi-vitamin, multi-mineral supplement with suhoorPrime as wellMinister to makeLord sure Prescott daily minimum requirements of key "Sadly it's been a rough week for to how great your skin (CLIA) said disappearances affected by this asimportant am I. For street, and once for throwing eggs at nutrients are met.

Avoid high sodium foods like soups, sauces, condiments, gravies, high sodium bread products, and canned meats.

Of course me, long no sleep," he wrote."In looks and days feels. Also, said that should be the case overboard were "incredibly people in the back I am so sorry the home of acause neighbour, for which eating fried foods and heavy oil items can heartburn and problems for you all day so it is best to avoid those if possible! rare". remember to drink lots no way did I mean to come across whatever the ship's flag of and for anyone I may have he was handed two years' probation. of water!I don't always mean...

Bieber walks off stage at concert in Oslo

WEIGHT LOSS REVIEW- WAZN

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Bradford man sets on a mission to help Bradford become more health aware.

“I am a big fan of Dr Qazi’s work and that’s why I want to introduce his non-surgical solutions manto sets on a mission to helplocal BradBradford”, explained ford businessman become more health aware.

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Working and living in UK, he His interest in medical research has observed the need for Non-Surenabled him to bring latest state of gical procedures to improve the art technologies.

Working livhealth and well beingand of patients ing inespecially UK, he observed the need Asian populationfor as Non-Surgical procedures to improve they are more vulnerable to the health beingillnesses of patients acute and and well chronic than especially Asian population they are their counterpart Whiteaspopulamoretion. vulnerable to acute and chronic illnesses thanistheir counterpart White Dr Qazi amongst the pioneers who introduced latest technolopopulation. giesisofamongst IPL andthe Radio FrequenDr Qazi pioneers who cy andlatest Ultrasound integrations introduced technologies of IPL into UK and especially in Asian and Radio Frequency and Ultrasound community.

His quest for knowlintegrations into UK and especially edge and research furthered in Asian community. His quest for him to and launch his own health knowledge research furthered & Beauty product range. This him to launch his own health & Beauty includes Dietary supplements, product range. This includes Dietary Vitamins & Minerals, Skin & Hair supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, care products and products for

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"WAZN" to make major lifestyle changes, Each capsule helps: Weight loss management programme Each capsule helps: such as drinking shakes etc” *Burn fat is the start of products list. *burn fat, *Boost metabolism, said Yasser “There are so many health products *boost metabolism, * Increases your energy “People simply haven’t got the energy and diet plans on the market today, * increases your level time these days, so in my opinwhere you have to make major lifestylelevel * Improves digestion ion WAZN is the answer. changes, such as drinking shakes etc”* Improves digestion * Prevents weight gain.

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Call to investigate missing cruise ship woman

4

ASIAN SUNDAY

Issue 9

NEWS Imran and Reham Khan’s marriage end after 10 months together.

Yusuf Choudhary desperately needs a transplant.

Can YOU help?

by STAFF REPORTER Yusuf needs a matching blood stem cell donor Six-year-old Yusuf Choudhury from Luton has the blood disorder Fanconi Anaemia and needs a blood stem cell donation to survive. As his heritage is Bangladeshi, his parents are appealing especially to those with a similar heritage to join the registry, as this is likely to provide the most suitable match for him.

There is an average, at any one time, of 2,000 people in the UK who need a matching donor each year. Around sixty percent of those in need of a blood stem cell donation find a donor with a perfectly matching tissue-type.

It drops to an average of twenty percent for those from a black, Asian or ethnic minority background.

So many have already joined the campaign.

by STAFF REPORTER Imran Khan, former Pakistan cricketer and current leader and founder of the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) Party, has announced his divorce from his second wife after 10 months of marriage.

News of his split from Reham Khan, a 42-year-old broadcast journalist who once worked for the BBC, was announced on Friday by PTI A PTI spokesman made an announcement on Imran Khan's official Facebook page. Ms Khan also confirmed on Twitter that they had decided to part ways.

The pair got married in January to just as much surprise and shock at Mr Khan's home near Islamabad.

Khan was criticised for his decision to remarry just weeks after the Taliban massacre of more than 130 schoolboys in Peshawar which horrified the country.

Some conservatives also objected to archive video of Reham Khan’s

career presenting BBC South Today which featured her cooking pork sausages at a country fair.

Members of his family made clear their disapproval by staying away from his marriage ceremony. There was also unease within the PTI about Reham’s involvement in politics after she helped campaign in a by-election the party lost.

The controversy prompted Imran Khan to publicly announce his wife would be given no role within the PTI, would not be allowed to attend party functions, “nor will [she] be given any official protocol”.

So touched by the plight of sixyear-old Yusuf that over 40 students from Luton sixth form college signed up to the Anthony Nolan register immediately after representatives set up a stall at the College.

PTI spokesman Naeem Ul Haque asked for the media to "refrain from any speculation" due to the sensitivity and seriousness of "this extremely painful matter".

To join the Anthony Nolan register people need to be aged between 16 and 30 and in generally good health.

And while anyone can potentially be a match to anyone who requires a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, it is more likely if from the same ethnic "There will be no further communication in this respect," he added.

Mr Khan echoed the request to be left alone on Twitter: "This is a painful time for me & Reham & our families. I would request everyone to respect our privacy."

He continued: "I have the greatest respect for Reham's moral character & her passion to work

background and with a similar genetic history.

Yusuf's mum Laki has been campaigining hard for her son.

She says ethnic minority groups were under-represented on the register and that she was particularly trying to encourage those form a Bangladeshi background to sign up to increase Yusuf’s chances of finding a match.

She is worried that “time is of the essence” to find a bone marrow match for Yusuf, because if his condition causes him to become too poorly doctors will not be able to perform the operation.

The next registration event will be taking place at East London Mosque, Whitechapel Road, East London, on Friday 13 November between 12 - 5pm. People are urged to attend and register.

You can keep up-to-date with Yusuf’s story on social media. Join the Facebook group Young Yusuf’s Search for a Bone Marrow Match or follow on Twitter @YusufsSearch – and use the hashtag #YusufsSearch too.

for & help the underprivileged".

Reham Khan, said on her Twitter page: "We have decided to part ways and file for divorce."

Mr Khan was previously married to activist Jemima Goldsmith for nine years and divorced in 2004. They have two sons who live in the UK.

Home of traditional South Asian and continental cuisine

Come and taste the experience 113 Psalters Lane - Rotherham - S61 1DL www.aarisrestaurant.com T. 01709 550077

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6

Issue 9

ASIAN SUNDAY

COVER STORY

Working Tax Credit Cuts:

Are Asian communities hardest hit?

by Anne Czernik

Within months of the general election, the Conservative party has suffered a damaging series of defeats on plans to introduce radical reforms of the Working Tax Credit scheme. Earlier in the week, the House of Lords controversially voted to halt the cuts until the government produces a scheme to compensate low-paid workers for three years. On Thursday, MP’s and backbenchers worried about the backlash to the tax credit cuts voted on a backbench motion calling on the government to “reconsider the effect on the lowest paid workers of its proposed changes to tax credits due to come into force in April 2016, to carry out and publish analysis of that effect, and to put forward proposals to mitigate it” Official figures show that the majority of areas with the highest levels of recipients of working tax credits have significant percentages of Asian families. The UN’s committee on the covenant on economic, social, and cultural rights (CESCR) announced that it plans to ask the British government how its austerity measures affect, in particular, disadvantaged and marginalised individuals

and groups. There is a focus on the impact upon ethnic minorities.

A spokesperson for the UN said that “CESCR will be reviewing the UK and six other countries next June as part of its regular cycle of examinations. It is not an investigation or inquiry launched in response to a particular situation or in response to a third party request. As the UK has ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, it undergoes periodic reviews of its record.”

The spokesperson emphasised that “An The UN told Asian Sunday that “The UN is not able to impose sanctions. The process is ongoing and cyclical. The Committee, as with all States, will ask for the UK to make sure its report is widely circulated and that in its next report (in about 5 years), it details what action it has taken. “

important part of the process is civil society: so nongovernment agencies can monitor how their country’s government does, and can use the Committee’s recommendations as a tool to hold the authorities

accountable and for advocacy” The UN will report its findings on the 24 June 2016.

Asian Sunday asked the Treasury for comment on the impact of the proposed cuts on ethnic minority

communities.

A Treasury Spokesperson said “The Chancellor has made clear that the government will listen about how we make a transition to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare economy he wants to see and

will announce his proposals at the autumn statement.

But the end goal is clear – this country cannot have an unlimited welfare budget that squeezes out other areas of public expenditure” Top of the worst hit list,

Issue 9

will be the constituencies of Bradford East and West where over 40 per cent of the population are Asian.

The proposed changes will see £millions disappearing from local micro- economies which play a vital role in the British Asian economy.

Dave Green, Leader of Bradford Council said “There are a number of economies in Northern England with similar profiles.

I’d be interested to know if the government has done an equalities impact assessment. Any proposal we have in our budget has to have an equalities impact assessment and I would have thought that government had to as well. The tax credit cuts are going to affect our Asian community disproportionately. For disabled people, there is a struggle to earn the average wage. So the equalities impact, I’d be very interested in seeing what has been produced by government.”

In Bradford, MP’s and Council leaders say that the proposed changes could de-rail the cities recovery and impact upon community cohesion.

Labour MP for Bradford East, Imran Hussain defied his party to vote against the Welfare Bill in July. Tax credits are a vital lifeline for 15,500 households in Bradford East and 57,300 households in the whole of Bradford.

ASIAN SUNDAY

Bradford West MP, Naz Shah says “The Tories are choosing to cut working families’ tax credits while millionaires have been given a tax break.

These cruel cuts will have a huge impact on Bradford.

More than 14,000 households in my constituency alone receive tax credits, the vast majority of whom are in work.

These utterly unjustifiable cuts to household incomes hit the very people the Tories claim to want to help. The people this will hit hardest of all in Bradford West will be the 31,400 children living in households having their incomes slashed by David Cameron and George Osborne.”

7

COVER STORY Baroness Hollins explained to the House of Lords during Monday’s debate what the importance of the tax credit system is in upholding fundamental principles of government. Hollins contrasted the position of two women working in a call centre. She said

“One is single working 35 hours a week, who from April earns £13

000 a year for herself. The other, a deserted mother with two young children, managing 25 hours a week, earns £9 000 a year for the three of them. The Government are completely right that we should certainly not subsidise employer’s low pay but no employer could pay the deserted mother twice as much per hour to make up for her family’s circumstances.

The employer cannot do that and it is not reasonable to ask it to do so. That is the job of tax credits. They reflect family circumstances which an employer cannot reasonably do

The Welfare Bill introduced an important and far reaching change to the principles of the welfare system. Tax credits will eventually be replaced by Universal Credit.

The Welfare Bill limits the child element of universal credit to a maximum of two children. In future, Britain’s support for working families through the tax system will not reflect family circumstances.

MP is due to compassion, the words of Baroness Hollins should clarify the underpinning principle that the Lords defended with their amendment. She said “This is about honouring our word – the Prime Minister’s word – which work must always pay.”

Even if the proposals are watered down, the changes will not protect those on Universal credit. The Lords amendment will only offer transitional relief to families who currently count on tax credits.

By the end of 2019, the National Audit Office projects that only 9% of existing tax credit claimants will still be in receipt of tax credits. The introduction of Universal Credit means that tax credits will largely have disappeared.

For anyone who believes that the disquiet amongst

Britain has the biggest families in Europe. The

”

average family now has 3 children and Asian families traditionally have 4 or more.

The Welfare Bill removes any financial support for those additional children. The government are proposing a raft of proposals to mitigate the effects of the cuts but it is unclear exactly how the long term changes would impact on families, communities and the economy.

The cuts are not de-railed, they are simply delayed.

The impact of the proposed changes has only been considered in terms of individual poverty and deprivation. No-one has raised the devastating effect

Hussain said that

“The estimate that on average families would

lose up to £1,300 a year is simply shocking, as is the impact that this will have on BME communities whose incomes are constituted more of tax credits than other groups. We also have to think about the impact that this will have on our children with the estimation that 200,000 children will be sucked into Dickensian levels of poverty by the cuts.

that the government’s proposals could have on struggling communities with a low wage, high welfare economy or on the self – employed.

Areas like Bradford which have high levels of working tax credit recipients are working class, impoverished constituencies and the effects could sink local businesses Green says that “If you look at the level of public sector cuts, of which the tax credit cuts are one part.

The changes to council tax benefit of a few years ago were another part. The attacks on child benefit are another part. If you add tax credit cuts to the massive cuts facing local government then what you have got is the making of a perfect storm.”

Hussain is determined and said ““I now hope that the Government listens to the strength of feeling about these cuts amongst MPs and people across the country and uses the Chancellor’s forthcoming Autumn Statement to either cancel or mitigate these cuts, and I will be unyielding in my requests to the Chancellor to do so.”

8

Issue 9

ASIAN SUNDAY

Feature

The soul and radiant colours of DIWALI

by Ayesha Babbar

A quick google search will tell you that Diwali (or Deepavali ) is one of the main highlights of the Hindu calendar that has been celebrated for centuries in India and abroad. If you are a Bollywood buff, you would also probably know from all the exquisite songs and films that it is a visual treat with lots of lights being lit, crackers and colourful Rangoli designs.

What you might not know is that it is a day that signifies evil and darkness being overcome by goodness and light.

I have to confess, when I first arrived in London a few years ago, my own knowledge of why Diwali or for that matter many other festivals are observed was quite limited. That first year of starting university with tens of other students from across the globe, who were all away from home and family and were trying to find their feet in this magical city left us all with one thing in common – we were all missing home and trying to find some piece of it in this new phase of our lives.

It was around that same time that Diwali fell and one friend, a practicing Hindu, from Delhi, was feeling particularly homesick musing over how being halfway across the world from home she could not be a part of her favourite festival. It was then that a group of my classmates and I

Diwali in the Square celebrated by thousands of all faiths and backgrounds decided that we would try and organise a Diwali celebration for her. Imagine a group of five odd people from all the different corners of the world (none Hindu or even from India) trying to organise Diwali having never celebrated it ourselves. That first year, we ended up with a very well lit-up common room in our student dormitory that the resident Health and Safety officer was not particularly pleased with (lighting candles in a space

with wooden furniture did not go down well even though it did look beautiful!).

In the years since, Diwali along with Eid, Nauvroz, the Chinese New Year have all become our own festivals - no longer limited to one culture or religion or nationality. They have become special days in the calendar that we look forward to getting together on. In London today, the Mayor of London will have an

official celebration for all the major festivals at the historic Trafalgar Square in the heart of the city. Going to any of these celebrations is proof of just how London has become a kaleidoscopic melting pot of cultures.

You will now see people from all kinds of backgrounds present to not only celebrate with friends and family but also to learn more about cultures that may not be very similar to

There is a greater lesson that emerges from this. The enthusiasm with which these occasions is celebrated with not only speaks volumes about the beauty of these festivals but also that humanity is actually tied together by a very strong thread; a soul that is searching for goodness, love and light from all around!

their own. There will be people who are trying out the food for the first time or enjoying music they have not heard before.

And with that a wonderful thing happens. The more you learn about other people’s traditions and cultures that might once have been alien to you or not featured in your life, the deeper your understanding and appreciation of your own roots and traditions becomes and that experience in itself is a great teacher!

HAPPY OIWALI IN THIS OCCASION OF LIGHT, FILL YOUR LIFE WITH JOY, HAPPINESS, PEACE & PROSPERITY FROM ALL OF US AT

SONDAY The UK's only FREE Sunday paper

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Feature

We discuss and debate the lack of representation of issues on the Sikh community.

by Ninder Kaur After the deaths of two protesters in India, Sikhs around the world have come together to put on a united front.

According to the Sikh Press Association: “The Indian government and Punjab Police have killed two Sikhs and brutalised many in Punjab who were peacefully marching against the police lack of action towards finding the culprits of desecration of the Sikh Scriptural Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. “The Sikh community strongly suspects that these desecrations are politically motivated and the Punjab government is deliberately not investigating these desecrations.”

Jagmeet Singh, from the educational charity Basics of Sikhi, was a panelist member on BBC Sunday Morning Live for a studio debate about interfaith marriage.

Singh went off-topic, stood up in front of the camera and interrupted presenter Sian Williams, declaring the lack of media coverage of violence in India.

He said: “Sikhs are being killed in Punjab and nobody is reporting it.”

The representative from charity Basics of Sikhi wasn’t giving up and continued his protest live on television.

When the programme returned after going to a video Singh was gone.

Basics of Sikhi charity group on Facebook published the following statement: “I am

so disappointed by the BBC’s treatment of Jagmeet Singh on Sunday Morning Live this morning. The presenter shut down Singh and repeatedly belittled him from bringing up the issue of violence against Sikhs in Punjab.”

Online, protest messages have been coming not only from India but from large Sikh communities across the UK. A petition to the BBC on Change.org has received more than 70,000 signatures.

It calls for more coverage of the story and for coverage of India’s treatment of its Sikh citizens.

Following the clashes between police and Sikh protesters in Kotkapura, Punjab, on 14 October, which left two people dead and nearly 70, injured.

Protesters were demanding the arrest of those responsible for tearing hundreds of pages from the Sikh Holy Scripture and scattering them around the village of Bargari. Where is the justice?

Better yet, where is the media coverage? UK Media outlets employ thousands of reporters worldwide yet millions of people remain unaware of what is happening in India. Why is that so?

being killed in Punjab. The mainstream media need to have a rethink on what they think is important to report, especially regarding the plight of a minority community. Religious minorities in India are facing a huge threat. With the visit of the controversial Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to the UK next month the media has a vital role to report on the way religious minorities have been treated since he came to power in May 2014. Sikh issues are often relegated on TV, radio or newspapers to ‘specialised’ channels, radio stations or the press. This is discriminatory and shows a lack of faith in what will be of general interest to viewers, listeners and readers.”

I was absolutely appalled by the lack of representation show in the media about this. It makes me question how people think Sikh lives must be far less inferior that others.”

Rajveer Talwar, 25, from Derby said: “I went to London on the weekend and what was meant to be a peaceful protest turned into violence when the police arrived mounted and armed with riot gear. It was unnecessary for them to use extreme heavy handed tactics against men, women and children.”

Ajmal Soodha, 60, from Bradford said: “it disgraces me that such things are happening in India and no one is reporting on it. I am

Following on from the rise of concern on these issues, a trending social media hashtag #SikhLivesMatter, candlelit vigils and demonstrations have in recent weeks highlighted the predicament facing Sikhs in India.

I spoke to a few people from the Sikh faith to find out they had to say.

Sikh Lives Matter

Gurmeet Basrai, 34, from Leeds said: “When I had heard about the events that had been going on in India,

Gurjeet Singh National Press Secretary at the Sikh Federation (UK) was willing to comment. He said: Last week we witnessed the unusual sight of a Sikh panelist on the BBC Sunday Live programme protest the lack of media coverage of peaceful Sikh protesters

Jagmeet Sikh Story

proud of Jagmeet going on live TV and addressing this to the public and media organisations. We should all stand together. So much is happening just look at Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa who has been starving himself to raise awareness to free Sikh political prisoners.

The UK’s Sikh community has said that the incident in Punjab closely resembles events of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, when there was a complete disregard for Sikh lives and widespread police and army brutality.

One can only hope that change will happen and that the media start reporting on cases like this.

MY COMMUNITY

Your Local News from

Bradford and District

IN THIS ISSUE Building a better Bradford: Sunbridge Wells

Lantern Parade lights up Lister park And much more.....

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MY COMMUNITY

A new domestic violence service has been launched in Bradford

by Ninder Kaur Bradford Safeguarding Week took place last month with focus to provide a range of learning and development opportunities for staff and volunteers working in the sectors of safeguarding adults, domestic abuse and safeguarding children.

A number of drop-in events, workshops, lectures and training opportunities took place to help to promote safeguarding awareness across the Bradford District.

During Safeguarding Week a District Domestic and Sexual Violence Services was launched in Bradford. Drop in sessions were available at the Kala Sangam centre for people (16 years plus) who experience domestic abuse & prevention work with perpetrators.

People were able to receive refuge and housing related support, and practical emotional supportThere was also

help to make homes safe, IDVA

(Independant Domestic Violence Advocates) and Court support.

Support for women involved in prostitution and a service called Bradford Maze who help perpetrators to change their behavior were also present.

They were joined by the Hope project that work with children who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence.

Shabana Hussain, of Staying Put, a charity which enables women and children experiencing domestic abuse to remain safely in their own homes, said: “We are just here to let other professionals know what exactly we do and that they can ring us. The same applies with the members of the public.

“Domestic violence is being reported and that’s really encouraging because it shows victims are getting in touch with agencies. Our community services work with men and women apart from the accommodation services, which just works with women.”

Sarah Shooter from Bradford Maze, a project that works with adults who are affected by Domestic Violence, said: “Today is about raising awareness and getting as many individuals down here today to understand the services that are taking place.”

Colleague Karen Arnold added: “The statistics across every area in Bradford are quite high and there is lot that’s hidden as well.

There is a huge demand for these services.”

Cllr Ralph Berry also added: “Everyone in the community has an important role in helping to making the district a safe place to live and work. Safeguarding Week provides an important way to make professional practice more effective by learning from each other. It represents a great opportunity for the Council, Police and health to work together to ensure children and adults in the district live safely.”

Bradford starts annual Poppy Appeal to raise money for The Royal British Legion ik This year’s Poppy Appeal across the Bradford district has started after the Lord Mayor of Bradford was presented with the first poppy.

The Royal British Legion appeal organiser for Bradford, Barbara Allsopp, presented Councillor Joanne Dodds with the first symbolic flower of this year’s Poppy Appeal at City Hall.

The lifelong ambassador for the appeal said presenting the Lord Mayor with the first poppy was a tradition dating back to the 1930s.

She added: “It is very important to remember the soldiers who gave their lives, and every year the people of Bradford are the best citizens about for giving to the appeal.”

The Appeal is hoping to raise more money that last year. In Bradford alone, £82,500 was raised, and with the eight branches across the district a total of £220,000 was raised. Mrs Allsopp confirmed that it was up 20 per cent up than the year before.

The money raised through selling poppies goes to The Royal British Legion charity that then offers a wide range of services and support for our veterans, serving personnel and their families.

To mark Armistice Day,

which takes place on the 11th November, the Lord Mayor confirmed that the annual remembrance services would be taking place in Bradford and across the district. A Festival of Remembrance service at St George’s Hall will also be taking place.

The Lord Mayor said: “There will be representation of all faiths invited where they will able to say a prayer. We do recognise the different faiths who fought during the World War.” “The British Legion is very important and my grandfather was in the Legion and one of my earliest memories was of him coming into my primary school to sell poppies and it made me so proud, they do a fantastic job,” she added.

Larissa Lister who has been involved in the Poppy Appeal for six years, will be helping with the sale of poppies in supermarkets and shopping centres.

She said: “The kids see something with a poppy on and want to get involved and we want to get the younger generation involved in the appeal to keep it going, as some of our volunteers are old and some are ill and can’t man their stalls in supermarkets.”

Members of the Royal British Legion are also encouraging volunteers to come forward and help.

Call 01274 726020 to get involved.

O PEN S 5 TH N OV FROM 10AM #NEWCITYSOUL

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Building a Better

Bradford Bradford has had its fair share of bad publicity. Just recently, the city has been ranked as the worst place to live in the UK according to a survey by uSwitch. We

would like to disagree.

With that being said, Bradford is well on its way to economic growth.

From now until 2018, Bradford will the home

to two amazing retail developments and a newly refurbished concert venue and we cannot wait.

to remove the 1969 cinema inserts and restore the building back to its original 1930 form.

He added: “Rather than have the occasional ‘one off’ show we would work with

BRADFORD LIVE

By doing this, it could give a huge auditorium capable of holding 3000 people seated and up to around 4500 people stalls standing. The capacity could be scaled up and down by opening or closing one or both of the two balconies.

our operator partner to develop a series of regular Bollywood and

Bradford Live is a group dedicated to the transformation of the much-loved Bradford Odeon building.

The former Odeon closed in 2000 and its demolition and redevelopment was approved in 2009, despite protests from campaigners.

But this agreement was terminated in 2012, and Bradford Council bought the building for a nominal £1 sum a year later.

Since then, the organisation Bradford Live, led by Lee Craven, had decided to take on the building, with plans to turn it into a major live music venue.

The organisation intends

In terms of the kind of shows that the building could accommodate, it is looking to be amplified music and other live events.

This includes ‘Bollywood’ and ‘Lollywood’ live shows.

Lee Craven, Project Director is very positive about the city’s project and said: “We believe there is no better place in the country than Bradford to tap into the demand for South Asian arts and entertainment.

Nollywood events.”

The venue hopes to host between 150 – 200 events for the main auditorium, with additional smaller events hosted in the former ballroom.

The overall cost to bring the entire distinctive building back to life is £15.6m.

Right now, the outcome of a £5 million bid for funding from the Heritage Enterprise Scheme (HES), part of the Heritage Lottery Fund, has been requested which should be decided in January.

In terms of timescale, funding permitting,

Key repair works have already been done on the building, including the full repair of the twin domes. These works were finished off by the installation of twin flagpoles.

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Bradford Live is looking to open its venue in 2018.

maintained as part of the development.

SUNBRIDGE WELLS

The shops are intended to be starter units for new businesses, and the development will also include an art gallery and regular arts and craft markets.

The £1million underground development is well on its way. Bradford’s first underground retail complex is like no other.

The development which is currently being built will be incorporating Victorian and contemporary shop units together with trading streets barrows, restaurants and bars.

The tunnel, in the past, has been the hub for a nightclub and bottling plant, and some of the newly acquired buildings were Victorian homes.

Sunbridge Wells will have a total of fourteen retail units, four bars and a restaurant.

There are still a few retail units available but they are getting snapped up quick.

Frances Day, Marketing Director of the project said that Sunbridge Wells should have been open for business in Spring, but the expansion has pushed that date back slightly.

BROADWAY BRADFORD

However, due to the amount of weird and wonderful challenges that keep popping up, she has confirmed that the team are now not putting an opening date on the development as it would only lead to disappointment.

Sunbridge Wells, features the site’s varied past, such as Victorian archways, bars from old police cells and a newly exposed quarry face.

Most of which are being

We are 4 days away from the imminent opening of the £260 million shopping centre.

At 570,000 sq ft The Broadway will be the largest UK retail centre to open in 2015 and will create 2,500 new retail jobs and generate a 40% increase in city centre footfall.

The Broadway will be the home to leading department and fashion stores, including anchors Debenhams and Marks & Spencer, and high street fashion favourites H&M, Next, Topshop, Topman, New Look, Schuh, River Island and many more.

Myf Ryan, Westfield Director of Marketing, said: “ Securing these retailers is yet another vote of confidence in both The Broadway and Bradford and will not only bring more choice to shoppers in Bradford but will also provide 2,500 new job opportunities. The centre will also help deliver a significant boost to the local and regional economy whilst continuing to attract inward investment for the City’s regeneration.”

Bradford Council Leader, Coun David Green, said: “The opening of The Broadway shopping centre is obviously a real landmark for the city and it is great to see the enthusiasm generated by the top retailers such as Debenhams who are moving here for the first time.

“Confidence has been building in Bradford over the past few years. Since we secured City Centre Growth Zone funding, many businesses have taken advantage of the business rates relief and the capital grants that have been offered through this scheme. This has led to lots of different types of businesses springing up and good examples are the bars and cafes, which are

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now flourishing in the North Parade area. Their success helping to regenerate that area has led to this particular location reaching the finals of the Great British High Street competition.

Coun David Green added: “With the opening of the our new shopping centre and the more unique and independent shops that will be opening next year in the Sunbridge Wells tunnels, visitors will have a great shopping experience. It is predicted that footfall will be boosted by 40% throughout the city centre and this can only benefit everyone.”

Its fair to say, despite Bradford earning a bad reputation, the city is well on its way to improving.

We can only hope next year that we score higher in the survey.

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Lantern Parade Lights Up Lister Park with help from Children’s Centre

by NINder KaUr

Lister Park was lit this weekend as more than 400 hand-made lanterns were on display at the annual parade.

The event, which took place on Saturday in Manningham, attracted more than 400 people to take part.

Reflection 2015 was part of an initiative, which showcased Festive Entertainment, Street Theatre, Arts & Crafts workshops and a spectacular lantern parade.

Over the last eight months Reflections Arts in communities’ residencies have been taking place in Holmewood, Ravenscliffe Manningham, Canterbury and Buttershaw involving local communities, artists and art organisations.

Reflections 2015 marked the launch of Lister Park Children Centre Cluster which works together with a range of partners and agencies to support the work of the children’s centres and also to ensure that they contribute to the local community.

Cecil Green Arts have been working with community groups and district schools including Lilycroft Primary School, Shipley Primary and St Paul’s Church in Manningham drawing upon stories from people, creating

small and large scale lanterns for the parade.

There was entertainment from fire jugglers and carnival bands including Northern Lights, Punjabi Roots and Jamba Samba.

The one-mile long parade, held on Saturday night, went through Lister Park from Cartwright Hall Museum and Art Gallery and also went around Mughal Gardens, around the lake and finished at the site’s bandstand.

Organiser of the parade, Katie Jones from Cecil Green Arts said: “The atmosphere of the parade was great.

Some people who took part in the parade were moved to tears at how beautiful it was.

We’ve had lots of positive feedback and think people really enjoyed taking part in a positive, community event.”

Katie also added that the next project they are involved in is a long-term arts project in Canterbury Estate in Bradford. She hopes to be involved with carnivals and lantern parades in the future.

Lister Park Children Centre Cluster, the Department of Communities and Local Government and Arts Council England funded the event.

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MY COMMUNITY

Chef Gennaro Contaldo arrives at Bradford Food and Drink Festival

by NINDER KAUR

Gennaro Contaldo, the highly regarded Italian chef arrived in Bradford on Friday for Bradford’s first ever Food and Drink Festival.

The top television chef, who has worked in some of London’s most popular restaurants such as Antonio Carluccio’s Neal Street Restaurant, prepared four pasta dishes during a live demonstration to a packed out audience.

The organisers, Bradford Council’s Markets Service,

were working with local businesses and Jamie’s Ministry of Food, to bring a wide range of high quality locally produced goods, mouth-watering street food and drink as well as exciting street entertainment to the festival. The festival was being designed to complement the great food offering already in Oastler Market – cheese, meats, fresh spices and exotic fruits as well as the new bars and venues which have opened in the Independent Quarter.

The Bradford Council-run event featured around 50 stalls, with guest appearances from renowned Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo, Coronation Street actor turned award winning cheese maker Sean Wilson, Great British Bake-Off contestant Sandy Docherty, as well as other local food professionals.

The event also marked the 6th birthday of Jamie’s Ministry of Food in Bradford, the community-based

cooking programme.

Gennaro said: “Its is incredibly important to have projects like the Ministry of Food. It is a project that we do with the love and passion of food. We opened the Ministry of Food to make people understand how important it is to eat well and if you eat well you will live well. Everything is in season and it’s so cheap. We will teach you how to cook and eat healthy foods.

Asking whether he would

be returning to Bradford, Gennaro added:” Of course.

I love it. I am going to come back again and again and again. I find this city incredible, full of love and passion.”

Diana Greenwood, Markets Promotions and Marketing officer at Bradford Council, added: “We’ve had an amazing response to the Bradford Food and Drink Festival.”

It’s the way forward Yaar

www.fevertvleeds.co.uk

Fever FM @ The Resource Centre 233-237 Roundhay Road - Leeds LS8 4HS Tel: 0113 380 5680 - Direct: 0788 170 1133 Email: radioasianfever@yahoo.co.uk - www.radioasianfever.co.uk

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Feature

Understanding the perception and practice of Homosexuality in Pakistan

by Adeeba Sanna Zahoor “Being Pakistani and being gay are not two things that go together in my head” says Mawaan Rizwan at the beginning of BBC3’s recent documentary ‘How Gay is Pakistan?’ (October 2015). The documentary followed Rizwan, a gay British Pakistani raised in Essex, visiting his homeland to understand the perception and practice of homosexuality there.

On his journey through the country, one of the first cities he visits is Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan with a population of about 23 million and a gay population of approximately 50,000.

However, despite the prevalence of homosexuality in cities like Karachi, with some referring to it as a “gay man’s paradise”, (BBC, 2013) a study carried out by the Pew Research Centre in 2013 found Pakistan to be one of the least tolerant countries with regard homosexuality. Only 2 per cent of participants considered it to be morally acceptable. This statistic is made even more interesting by the fact that in the same year, Pakistan’s internet users topped Google search trends for gay sex.

So if homosexuality exists in Pakistan, and there’s clearly participation and interest in it, why is nobody talking about it?

Pakistan has a 97 per cent Muslim population, thus following Islam, a religion which condemns homosexuality. In one of the scenes in the documentary we see Rizwan going to see an imam about his sexuality.

The imam refers to him as a “patient” with a “disease”

and asks Rizwan to make an appointment at his clinic for a cure. He is told that after one week of consuming the prescribed medication, Rizwan will start feeling more attracted to women and will eventually become heterosexual. Unsurprisingly however, there is no shift in Rizwan’s feelings or sexual orientation.

As well as homosexuality being condemned on the micro level by the average Muslim in Pakistan, on the macro level, the law surrounding homosexuality also criminalises consensual same-sex relations, making it punishable by a sentence of two to ten years imprisonment. The original ruling dates back to 1860

under the law of “Unnatural Offences” and was set up during colonial rule by the British Raj. In addition, subsequent Islamic laws were later introduced to include punishment such as stoning and lashes. However, such convictions are rare and these matters are normally dealt with by payment of fines, police harassment and even traditional marriages of convenience.

The Pew Research Centre found that there seems to be increased tolerance of homosexuality among the younger demographic in some of the Muslim world.

In Lebanon for example, 27 per cent of Lebanese younger than 30 say homosexuality should be accepted, compared

Mawaan Rizwan in How gay is Pakistan

with 17 per cent of 30-49 year olds and 10 per cent of those 50 or older.

This increased acceptance among the younger demographic is also reflected in some of the social media responses to the ‘How Gay is Pakistan’ documentary.

Some of the Twitter responses from Muslim viewers showed understanding and compassion, with tweets including: • “BBC3 documentary looks at what life is like for LGBT Pakistanis.

Painful and isolating, but community exists”.

• “Proud to be a Pakistani after watching @ MawaanR’s brilliant

doco on brave Queer community”.

It’s great to see some discourse, like the above, taking place, however more is needed. But how can there be dialogue if people refuse to acknowledge even the existence of homosexuality in the Pakistani community?

In today’s digital age, with apps such as Grindr and Scruff using GPS to make gay sex all the more accessible, homosexual activity is only going to increase. There is an entire Pakistani LGBT community and that is a truth which should be acknowledged and accepted because no matter how much one may pretend it doesn’t exist, it does, and it will.

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GHAP SHAP with Citizen Khan star Adil Ray

by Ninder Kaur Citizen Khan returns for its fourth series. Created by and starring Adil Ray, the family sitcom which is set in Sparkhill, Birmingham will be following Mr Khan – our favourite loud-mouthed local businessman and community leader.

We caught up with Adil Ray to find out about the latest series.

Tell us about the new series.

What can people expect?

Following on from the last series, Mr and Mrs Khan are grandparents. The final episode on Christmas, Shazia gave birth to baby Mohammed and this has changed the dynamics of the family slightly because they are grandparents. Mr Khan is left holding the baby and changing nappies and that kind of thing. What’s his role now because you have Amjad whose kind of like the man of the house so Mr Khan starts to feel old

and worthless so we have those kind of general themes going on.

Of course, he doesn’t try and stop being community leader and there is one episode where is trying to be the town crier for Birmingham and meeting with the Lords and trying to be all posh. There is a moment with his grandson where he is trying to teach him cricket. He sets up a bowling machine and tries to teach his 7-month-old grandson how to play. There is a lot of fun and a lot of general family stories.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Growing up I was a big comedy fan whether it was Only Fools and Horses, Faulty Towers or Friends, I have always liked comedy and always thought about one day doing my own. I used to do a lot of different characters on the Asian Network and I find people funny and interesting. I used to see this idea of community leaders on the TV and I used to think-

‘Who are these people and how do you become a community leader?’

I thought let’s try and create a comedy character around that. It’s only then do you start thinking about the character’s wife and the family that you realise you can write a sitcom around that. It has been a long journey but an enjoyable one.

Despite the huge praise you have received, which you clearly have, I understand you got some grief from some members of the Asian community. What was their main issue with the show?

I think the whole point of a comedy is that you can’t please everybody, not everyone is going to like what you do and I think that is absolutely fine. If people feel offended by it, it’s not really my problem. I might be offended by somebody’s dress if they walked down the street but I don’t expect them to change it. We can’t live our lives worrying about what

people think because the intent of my comedy was the intent to write something funny and inclusive. We concentrate on people who love the show and we get lots of Muslim people, lots of religious Muslim people, mosque go-ers and girls who wear hijabs and non-Muslims who love the show. They connect with it. I think actually that some people who didn’t quite get it in the early days have now started to watch it and thought - ‘you know what, its not what I originally thought maybe it is okay’ but there are some people who just don’t like it and that’s okay too.

Do you find that people of all ethnic backgrounds and cultures get the humour in Citizen Khan?

Of course. It is filmed in front of a live audience and it’s so mixed. We have a big white audience; we have girls in hijabs, the Sikh community and the Indian community. I got a letter from somebody from the Polish community saying they loved it and that it reminded them of their family.

The show sells in India, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Bulgaria, Russia, other parts of Europe, so when you look at that somewhere along the line we are connecting with a universal audience and that’s quite good.

People in the north don’t get your jokes. Why do you think that is?

Khan Family Photo

I don’t know what Northern comedy would be and how it would be any different. We don’t set out to write something Midlands or Southern based. It is universal comedy. If it connects with people in Russia and if it cannot connect with the people in the north then they need to go to Bulgaria.

I heard someone the other day that came to one of the live shows and

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he was from Bradford and he was saying I love this and we hear people complaining about the show so they must be from Birmingham or London.

Some people argue that you are negatively reinforcing stereotypes, however, we believe comedy often does play on stereotypes. What are your thoughts on that?

I agree with the second bit. It does play on stereotypes and not just comedy but drama. These people think that we enforce a negative stereotype but what is that negative stereotype? What is a negative stereotype of Mr Khan? Is it because he is tight? A lot of people are tight.

People say that about the Scottish people and the Welsh people. So that is not just a Pakistani trait and people generally say that about Dads. Jim Royle from the Royle family he was tight and so was the guy from Faulty Towers. What it all boils down to is that we are a new show and people are not versed into comedy. Comedy does play on stereotypes. Look at Bollywood movies and Pakistani dramas are they based on real life? No, they are stereotypes. Mr Khan finds out that nani has a boyfriend who turns out to be gay. He is accepting of that. That is not stereotypical of any Pakistani family I know of. That’s breaking the stereotype.

How do you think Citizen Khan has acted as a “counternarrative” of Muslims to the world in the face of ongoing conflict in the Middle East?

I think things like Citizen Khan and Moeen Ali playing cricket for England or Amir Khan boxing for the world championship or Mishal Hussain being the host of the TV show on Radio 4 all these things are part of the counter narrative and I think that it shows not all Muslims are the same. I don’t just mean that we are not all terrorists or that we are all out to kill each other. Amongst our UK Muslim community we are entirely different. Some of us might be religious, some of us may not be, some of us may be more culturally Muslim and some of us may be more politically Muslim. I think it is really important that part of that counter narrative is to identify different types of Muslims having their own journeys and experiences.

What do you enjoy most about creating the show?

The fact that we have lots of kids who love the show, that’s fantastic.

When we do our live show in front of the audience there is rows of kids that come up dressed as Mr Khan. I get emails from schools inviting me to their classrooms to meet the kids and, that as cheesy as it may sound, has to be the single most important thing. Kids are seeing this bearded Muslim on telly and for once he isn’t

a baddie and it is someone that they love and can say- ‘ I love that bearded Muslim, I love Mr Khan’ and that is really quite heartwarming.

Can we expect any guest stars?

Peter Bowles who was a legend

from the 80s sitcom show To The Manor Born will be in the new series. Ronnie Ancona who did a lot of comedy sketches with Alistair McGowan and Tyger Drew-Honey who played the oldest child in the sitcom Outnumbered. So there is some kind of exciting guest stars there.

The fourth series of Citizen Khan starts on Friday at 8:30pm on BBC1.

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BUSINESS

THE THREE POTS OF INVESTING

This edition I wanted to share with our readers the three pots of investing. It is really a very simple process, and it gets my customers talking about money, and how they view their money in line with long term goals.

The three pots are essentially: pantry, fridge and freezer. In essence in the world of financial advisers a pantry is something that is easily accessible and money you need now, the fridge is money you might need in 3 – 5 years such as saving for a house, and the freezer is money earmarked a long time in the future such as a pension.

The reason why I got thinking about this really simple process of looking at money, which I got taught as a very young starting out financial adviser (in my twenties, and now not so old financial adviser in his early thirties) is because I read an article from the owner of a financial adviser firm looking at scrapping tax relief on pensions.

The pantry is simple, it’s your bank account that pays your bills. We all need such accounts because how else do we access funds to pay our day to day bills, and most advisors recommend you hold emergency funds equal to three months gross income for such purposes. The fridge is money put away for say five years. Its money you don’t want to access, however because its money

Our columnist Mr Money Bags, who has decades of experience in finance, an MBA, an advanced diploma in financial planning and not to mention his super business skills each edition will give you, our lovely readers some valuable tips and

advice on money and business matters. He is forthright and can sometimes be stern when it comes to your cash, but when it comes to finance he really is the expert. Read on for your business and finance advice.

Mr Money Bags "The pantry is simple its your bank account that pays your bills.

The fridge is money put away and the freezer is money put away for a longer time, such as retirement"

you have put away or even invested you want a return on this money. This money could be either in high interest fixed interest accounts, or even invested within the markets.

Nowadays this is done through ISA’s be it Cash ISA’s or Stocks & Shares ISA’s.

The third pot and perhaps the most important is the freezer, which is money put away for a long time, such as money to pay for retirement, it could even be your house,

which you want paid off at a set period in the future. The freezer, most people would agree as it’s for the future, if it’s invested we want the greatest return from. This is why the government gives all citizens in the UK basic rate tax relief on pensions so that is for every £100 you pay into a pension, this becomes £125; therefore even non tax payers living in the UK can invest a maximum of £2,880 into a pension and it becomes

£3,600 automatically.

So, if tax relief is scrapped and people get the same advantages of an ISA, which is just tax free returns only would you invest in a pension?

The point I want to make is that pensions are a fundamental way to invest for the long - term, and they need to be differentiated from ISA’s.

I invest in pension funds, and regularly pay funds into my pension because I know that the tax relief (explained above) means my contribution is already increased by 20 per cent straight away, and there is no investment out there that without any risk will reward me for investing in the future.

If tax relief is gone, then would those of you currently paying into a pension carry on? I know it would make me think twice about locking my money away, without any real incentive till my fifties .

“ Pensions are a fundamental way to invest for the long term and they need to be differentiated from ISA's”

Issue 9

ASIAN SUNDAY

17

FEATURE

Modi, from pariah to messiah!

by Nadeem Saeed India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to the UK on a three-day state visit starting from November 12. It will be a first visit of the UK by an Indian premier in nearly a decade while during that period UK Prime Ministers paid four visits to India. Of them, three are by David Cameron during his first term in the 10 Downing Street.

India has recently become the fastest growing major economy in the world replacing China by doubling its nominal GDP to more than $2 trillion in a period of just seven years. Struggling to come out of the shadows of economic downturn of 2008, Britain needs more foreign investment while India being one of the fastest growing economies looking for investment opportunities abroad is a potential partner to work with.

India is already the third largest foreign investor in Britain after the USA and France. Over 800 Indian companies are operating here, employing more than 100,000

workers.

Prime Minister Cameron is expected to accord a warm welcome to his Indian counterpart while a royal lunch at the Buckingham Palace is also on the Prime Minister Modi’s UK itinerary.

But his big showing will be at London’s Wembley Stadium where India Europe Forum is organising a grand event “UK Welcomes Modi” on November 13.

Modi became premier of the world’s largest democracy last year after securing a thumping parliamentary majority for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after

successfully capturing imaginations of youth and urban middle class. India has the largest youth population in the world with 28 per cent of it is 10 to 24 year-olds.

According to an estimate some 13 million youth seek jobs in India every year. Modi promised while electioneering to create 100 million jobs by 2022 in the country with improved manufacturing and modernising the service sector. In the first year of Modi government investors poured $22 billion into Indian stocks and bonds but the growth could not pick up while the job growth also remained sluggish.

But Modi’s aura is by and large undiminished despite his less promising performance compared to the expectations he had aroused. Given India’s global

economic significance Modi is becoming equally popular among international leaders as he is at home.

Industrialised nations with present and future business interests in India are rolling out red carpets for Modi who had been an international political pariah for over a decade before becoming the Prime Minister of India.

America denied him visa while Europe and the UK banned him after his alleged actions or inactions in bloody “Gujarat riots” that took place in 2002 in the Indian state of Gujarat while Modi was its Chief Minister. More than 1000 people, mostly Muslims, were said to be killed during the riots.

Immerse in the Hindu supremacist philosophy of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Modi did not show any remorse in the aftermath of the riots that took place under his watch and considered to be the worst communal violence in that part of the world after the bloodbath of partition in 1947. His only regret was “I could not manage the news media better”.

In 2012 while poising to become BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Modi did finally sought forgiveness for any mistakes he might have made as the state’s chief minister.

His addressees, however, were not the families of the victims of the ‘Gujarat Riots’ but the 60 million Gujaratis.

He is coming to the UK in the backdrop of growing communal violence in parts of India on the question of cow slaughtering while at the same time it seems the space for dissent is also shrinking in Modi’s India.

Cow is considered to be a holy creature by many of Hindus while for Muslims beef including cow meat is halal (religiously legitimate).

The difference over the status of cow might have led to violent clashes off and on in the past but in recent weeks and months they are somehow becoming a regular feature with some states officially banning consumption of cow meat.

Taking lead from the state’s willingness to take sides in religious differences, some

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Issue 9

ASIAN SUNDAY

FEATURE the writers who have returned their medals saying “they are suffering from the disease of secularism”.

The organisation which celebrated its ninetieth foundation day this week has always been critical of the secular foundations of the Indian constitution.

Modi’s pro-business and foreign investment friendly overtures aside, his shabby past human right record and increasing intolerance against minorities and dissent within one year of his rule have raised alarm bells in and outside the country.

2002 Gujarat Riots

Leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn and Scottish National Party’s stalwart Alex Salmond have sponsored a parliamentary motion calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to raise human rights concerns with Prime Minister Modi when both the leaders will meet in November.

An online protest group #SikhLivesMatter held a large rally outside the Indian High Commission in London on October 22 to protest against victimisation of Sikhs in India while a Muslim activist Tariq Mahmood has filed an application with Deptford Police Station in South London to charge and arrest Modi for his alleged role in “Gujarat Riots” in which three Britons were also said to be killed.

Modi and Cameronat the G20 summit in 2014

Hindu vigilante groups are taking this onto themselves to stop cow slaughtering and beef eating by taking law and order in their hands.

A 50-year-old Muslim Akhlaq Ahmed was lynched to death in Dadri area of Uttar Pradesh by a mob on September 28 after the rumours that he had beef in his home fridge. In a separate incident, a Kashmiri Muslim Zahid Rasool was burnt to death on October 9 over what the Indian media

is calling ‘beef rumour’.

His death led to protests, strikes and violence in Indian administered Kashmir.

An academic and rationalist Prof M M Kalburgi was shot dead at his home in the state of Karnataka in August allegedly by Hindu extremists who visited him posing as his pupils.

Outspoken Prof Kalburgi had drawn the ire of religious groups for denouncing superstition and idol worship.

But Modi, by and large, has been reticent as he was during and after the riots of 2002 in Gujarat. His indifference to the mounting hostility towards fringe sections of the Indian society has sparked reaction from literati. Dozens of authors, intellectuals and poets have surrendered the state honours they received for their work and services.

The RSS, which is considered to be the guru organisation of ruling BJP, has criticised

The Supreme Court of India had however exonerated Modi in 2013 of any wrongdoing in the riots, a verdict currently facing challenge by the victim families and Muslim groups.

Raging Hindu nationalism under Modi is providing a field day to the hawkish elements in neighbouring arch rival Pakistan, a country which had drifted towards religious bigotry from the very onset of its being, to mock India’s secular

credentials.

Minorities including Hindus and Christians have been subjected to discriminatory laws in the so called land of pure’s and are made to live a life of second class citizens.

Islamic vigilante groups and mobs often hit the headlines with their street justice.

Hindus are said to be mass migrating to India as reportedly there have to be set up as many as 400 refugee centres in recent years in the Indian state of Rajasthan which shares its borders with the Sindh province of Pakistan. Sindh has the largest Hindu population in Pakistan.

With her dismal record on minority rights and freedom of speech Pakistan and its establishment, which now include its hawkish media, do not hold the moral compass to score points.

The recent attacks on minority groups and freedom of speech can prove further damaging to India’s selfstyled branding of ‘India shining’ after earring notoriety for being “rape capital” of the world.

India’s global economic might is the outcome of market reforms rolled out in 1990s by Congress under Prime Minister Narashima Rao which were strengthened further

by Modi’s predecessor Manmohan Singh, who incidentally was also a Congressman.

Modi is having a honeymoon of his popularity as a business-friendly strongman but he has yet to fulfil the promise of “achay din aa gaye” meaning good days have come. Where his critics should wait for four more years to gauge his performance before riling him, his fans should also see the economic achievements of India in their historical perspective.

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MATRIMONIALs

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Sports

Pakistani Old Timers Help Seal Win for Pakistan over England

by Ayyaz Malik Pakistan’s cricketers completed an exciting win over England. The tourists who came agonisingly close to winning the first test, have been second best for the large parts of this one.

Key to England’s failures have been the way they have dealt with Pakistan leg-spinner, Yasir Shah. The 29-year old Shah who missed the first test with a back spasm wreaked havoc for England’s lower order batsmen in particular.

After winning the toss, Pakistan decided to bat first and the hosts made the most of that decision. Despite losing opener Mohammed Hafeez relatively early, Pakistan wrestled control of the game back from England.

Pakistan were indebted to veterans Younus Khan and Misbah-Ul-Haq. The experienced duo took the game away from England with a vital 93 partnership in the first innings and a brilliant 143 run partnership in the second.

Sadly from England’s point of view, their spinners were put to the sword as Moeen Ali returned figures of 0-60 in 11 overs and fellow spinner Adil Rashid returned with figures of 1-107 of 25 overs. As is the case with all pitches in the UAE, the pitch was expected to be slow and favour the spinners.

Unfortunately, England’s spinners weren’t able to take advantage of that. In fact, it was England’s seamer’s who fared better than the spinners.

James Anderson, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood and Stuart Broad

all had respectable bowling figures.

Pakistan’s tactics were quite clear, survive against the seamers and attack the spinners. The home side did that to brilliant effect in the first innings as captain Misbah Ul-Haq launched Adil Rashid for a couple of sixes to reach a ninth test hundred.

By that point, Younus Khan had already been dismissed, but Pakistan looked to be in a point of complete control at that point at 178-4. Asad Shafiq did provide support for his captain which helped the Asian side get towards 300.

When Asad Shafiq and Misbah departed for 102 and 83 respectively, Pakistan suffered a mini collapse and were all out for 378 after being 282-5 and 334-6.

England who would have been relieved that they were having to score 400 to reach parity, but their innings couldn’t have got to a worse start. Moeen Ali and Ian Bell were dismissed in quick succession.

The tourists were 14-2 and in deep trouble. Thankfully for England those two dismissals meant that England’s vice- captain Joe Root and Captain Alistair Cook were in the crease (their two best batsmen).

The duo put on 113 for the third wicket as England were trying to get their way back into the match. When Cook was out after playing an uncharacteristic shot, it was left to Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root to survive till the end of their day’s play, which they did.

What was to happen the

following morning, however, was to change the complexion of the match. England lost Joe Root early in the day and that lead to a dramatic collapse which saw six wickets fall for just 36 runs.

The chief destroyer in Pakistan’s bowling attack was Wahab Riaz who finished with impressive figures of 4-66 in the first innings. Riaz was superbly supported by legspinner Yasir Shah.

From being in the game, England were at Pakistan’s mercy. The tourists knew they were going to need to make some early inroads to get back into this match, which they did. Shaan Masood who scored a fifty in the first innings was again dismissed by James Anderson cheaply.

Just like England, Pakistan lost two quick wickets as well as first double centurion again failed to make a decent score.

The hosts were indebted to opener Mohammed Hafeez who’s fifty helped steady the innings somewhat.

When Hafeez was caught by Joe Root off the bowling of Mark Wood, England might have been fearing the worst.

The dismissal of the 34-yearold meant that Misbah and Younus were together again, an ominous sign for England and so it proved.

The duo put on 141 for the fourth wicket to emphasise Pakistan’s dominance in the game. As was the case in the first innings Asad Shafiq made a vital contribution. Shafiq’s contribution of 79 helped the hosts build a lead of near 500.

Pakistan eventually declared on 354-6 and England were needing a mammoth 491 to win the test and more than a day to save the test. In a repeat of the first innings, the tourists lost early wickets, one of those early wickets was Alistair Cook who literally struggled to 10.

The partnership was only broken with an absolutely fantastic Yorker by Wahab Riaz which Broad couldn’t keep out.

Pakistan could sense victory with eight wickets down, but Mark Wood who is a number 10 batsmen and all-rounder Adil Rashid put on another battling partnership.

The England captain who looked to be nursing an injury fell to Yasir shah for the second time in the match.

Moeen Ali capped off a miserable performance with another failure as an opener.

England were starting to believe and Pakistan were starting to panic as the end of the game was drawing closer and they couldn’t force the win. Thankfully, (if you’re a Pakistan supporter) the Asian side were able to break the 55 run partnership after Mohammed Hafeez took an excellent catch at slip to remove Mark Wood.

In the first innings, England were indebted to Cook and Root for a valuable third wicket stand, but in the second innings it was Root and Cook who combined with a 102 stand which helped regain some control for the tourists.

When that partnership was broken, an England batting collapse followed and at 193-7 the tourists were on the brink of an embarrassing defeat.

Although down, The Three Lions were not out as Stuart Broad and Adil Rashid bravely tried to save the game for England.

With defeat drawing all the more closer, the inevitable happened as Adil Rashid who batted superbly for a fighting 61, was put caught after playing a tired looking cover drive. So Pakistan wins then by 178 runs and go 1-0 up in the series. As for England, they face a battle on their hands to level this series. The third and final test starts on 1 November

Issue 9

ASIAN SUNDAY 23

Sports

Tariq Khan Lifts the Weight of Expectation

by Ayyaz Malik British bodybuilder Tariq Khan finished in an impressive seventh place in his world championship debut. The event which was held in Rome was the show piece for all the world’s best bodybuilders.

Khan has won every discipline that he has entered in body building and includes local events and national bodybuilding events.

Tariq knew that the world

championships in Rome, Italy, would be his sternest test yet and so it proved.

Having said that, though, to finish seventh in a field of much more experienced athletes is impressive, very impressive indeed. The sports desk here at Asian Sunday congratulate Tariq on such a great achievement.

We are sure you will be back in next year’s championships, stronger than ever.

F1 World Championship: Hamilton Wins World Title for the Third Time

by Ayyaz Malik Lewis Hamilton capped off a very dominant season in F1, by winning the F1 world championship in Texas. The 30-year old Hamilton won a thrilling US grand Prix, pipping teammate Nico Rosberg to the race win. Hamilton who pipped Mercedes teammate Rosberg to the world title last year barely got out of second this year - sorry for the pun.

The former McLaren driver in the process equalled childhood hero Ayrton Senna with three world titles. Lewis’ nearest challenger Sebastien Vettel

who needed to finish second to keep the world title alive, could only finish third.

It’s quite a turnaround of form for Hamilton, who burst onto the scene and came agonisingly close to winning the world title in his first season in F1. The Englishman agonisingly lost out to then Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen that year. The next season however Hamilton went one better and won the world title with boyhood team McLaren.

No more world titles followed after that for Lewis for some time. What seemed a controversial decision at the

time saw the 30-year old move to rivals Mercedes.

One of the main reasons for that move was due to the legendary Ross Brawn, Hamilton’s decision to leave his boyhood racing team was brave, but turned out to be the right one.

Two world titles have now come for Hamilton since he moved to Mercedes. Just like this year, next year Lewis Hamilton will go into the new season as the man to beat, but I am sure the thirty year old will be thriving on that.

Congratulations on becoming world champion Lewis.

Issue 9

24 ASIAN SUNDAY

Sports

United Bore in Score Draw

Nicolas Ottamendi brilliant defence against Wayne Rooney

by Ayyaz Malik Manchester United and Manchester city played out a very dull draw in the first Manchester derby of the season. Both sides came into this derby on the back of impressive wins. United last time out beat Everton at home, while Manchester City trounced Bournemouth courtesy of a Raheem Sterling hat-trick.

As far as team news went Manchester United went with Antonio Valencia at right back and Anthony Martial was out wide. As for Man City, they had to do without the services of David Silva and Sergio Aguero.

Both sides have had good starts to the season and were looking to maintain that

good start with a win over their local rivals, but also to earn local pride. As for the match itself, the match failed to live up to expectation and ultimately was a match where defences were on top.

Although United had more of the possession, the Reds failed to have any shots on Joe Hart’s goal until late into the second half. It was only until the introduction of Jesse Lingard that sparked United into life as an attacking unit.

In fact, it was United youngster Lingard who had the game’s best chance.

The Warrington-born player saw his volley crash back off the bar as United eventually pushed for that elusive winner.

City who had a few key

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players absent were looking to not lose this one. The normally influential Yaya Toure struggled and was substituted in place of Martin De Michellis, which was making City’s intention clear that they were content with a point.

Joe Hart did excellently to keep out Chris Smalling’s effort, but a draw was a fair result. This match wasn’t the greatest spectacle in the attacking sense but this was a game which saw good examples of good defending.

Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi was outstanding and deservedly won man of the match. City went top after this draw on goal difference and United are fourth behind Arsenal and the impressive West Ham.