On Pakistani Sounding Names

Shahzad Chaudhry in a recent Op-Ed in the Express Tribune wrote: 


 By the time the day was out, about a 100 odd Indians of the 1.2 billion, including some with Pakistani names, had put up an orchestrated protest...


The comment on "Pakistani names" really seemed to strike a nerve with alot of people, which led me to think exactly what a Pakistan name is?


The argument here being that Indian commentators, take "Pakistani" names, which are effectively Muslim names and try to make it seems that only Indians would disagree with the AVM. No good, patriotic Pakistani would question the solid arguments that Chaudhry makes.

When it comes to names I have always faced awkward situations when having to introduce myself.

In school, on the first day with a new teacher, as introductions went around, I would stand up and say, "Syed Nadir El-Edroos". The El-Edroos would turn into, Al-Qadoos, Al-Batroos. After explaining how to pronounce the name, I would then be questioned on what type of "Syed" I was. Whether I was Shia or Sunni. Once a teacher asked me if I was Ahmedi due to my strange last name, but then answered his own question by saying "Haan, Syed tau Ahmedi nahi ho saktai". Back in 2009 I went to renew my passport at the Pakistani High Commission. Forget about refusing to sign the statement at the end regarding Ahmedi's, I was asked point blank if I was one! I asked why would he think that, given that they could access my records, and he responded: "you have a strange name".

When I would say, "I don't know what type of Syed I am", many teachers actually appeared offended. I never figured out the big deal then and I don't think I really appreciate what the big deal (if any) is even today.

But I have to admit, that the Syed has helped out on many occasions. Taking taxis or wagons, especially when travelling between Pindi and Islamabad, getting stopped at Police check posts, upon showing my ID card, I would usually get a wide eyed..."Aap Syed hain?"..and that would be it, I would be on my way. I don't know what was going on, or perhaps they thought that Syed's don't take public transport?

In the UK, at times I have to drop the Syed all together. Otherwise, Nadir becomes my middle name and everyone starts calling me Syed.

Anyways, I definitely don't have a very "Pakistani" sounding name. Perhaps the AVM saab would consider me less of a Pakistani? 

Which is exactly what many people on Twitter have declared me to be. Many people tweet me something along the lines, "Why are foreigners like you so interested in Pakistan". After explaining that I am Pakistani, the discussion moves in two directions. One, I am asked detailed questions on my name and its background. One guy asked me where my village was and if I didn't have one, I was not a "real" Pakistani.

The other direction such interactions take is when people, who are perhaps in the know or do a quick Google search, ask me whether I am related to General Syed Ahmed El-Edroos who was the Commander and Chief of the Hyderabad Deccan Army? Pakistanis ask me whether I am related to the traitor who surrendered to the Indians, and the Indians ask me whether I am related to the General who served a Princely state that refused to join the Indian Union. The late General was my Great grand father, but his eventual surrender to Indian forces after Operation Polo in September 1948 seems to be enough to question my patriotism and loyalty.

Not only do I not have a Pakistani sounding name but the name is also associated with an act that somewhat overly nationalistic Pakistanis find a total humiliation. Some people seem to explain my "anti-Army agenda" by the actions of my long departed relatives.

The point here is not the events or the people, but the fact that judgements are made merely on the basis of curiosity over my last name. In most cases I get the sense through interactions with people or over social media, that I am expected to explain and justify my Pakistanism - If my name was different would I have to?

Which brings us back to "Pakistani sounding names". For one, I would like to know what exactly a "Pakistani sounding name" is. There obviously seems to be a hierarchy involved here, from more Pakistani to less Pakistani sounding names.

While I dont have any complaints, I could scarcely imagine how Pakistani minorities, Christians, Hindus, Parsis etc, must be quizzed day in or day out, with the majority assuming the worst of their intentions. 

Finally, let me share one of my experiences, which will hopefully illustrate what I mean by a hierarchy. 

I had a regular taxi that I would pick up in Westridge in Pindi. One day the driver started talking about Ahmedis. He heard me explain the pronunciation of my name when we were stopped at a police checkpoint. From there somehow the discussion turned to Ahmedis. The driver tried to explain to me why Ahmedis cannot be good Pakistanis. After about 20 minutes of going back and forth he went: "wo Musalmaan nahi hain, un mai Jihad ka josh nahi, wo Pakistan kai liyai kiss taraan lar saktai hain?"

This is exactly why I was personally offended by the AVM's statement pooing those who take on "Pakistani sounding names" disagreeing with him. By prejudging people and questioning their morals, actions, patriotism, intentions, we effectively "other" them out of any discourse or debate. We see this happening all the time.....'So you disagree with my argument? Well that's expected, you have a Hindu name!'...its as if your views don't count because perhaps you lucked out on the Last Name Lottery at birth.

For those interested, heres a Wikipedia on  where my last name comes from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadhrami_people