Pakistanis: never away from home!

It seemed like a different world when Muslims from different countries gathered under one roof.

It seemed like a different world when Muslims from different countries — including Arabs, Indians, Pakistanis, Americans, Bangladeshis and Africans — all gathered under the roof of the Northern Nevada Muslim Community Centre (NNMCC) at Reno in Nevada, United States. Known to be ‘The Biggest Little City in the World’, Reno has been accommodating a huge number of Muslims who get together mostly under the NNMCC roof to perform religious ceremonies.

It was the first Eid I was celebrating outside of my home so, James, one among the many journalists at the Reno Gazette-Journal, drove me to the NNMCC so that I could offer my Eid prayers. I was searching for Pakistanis in the area as I was new to it and James told me that the NNMCC was the best place for me to find people from my country.

“I am a Pakistani journalist. I have been trying to find someone from Pakistan. Will you help find me some?” I asked a man wearing a shalwar kameez. He identified himself as a resident of Attock and was happy to keep me company.

“I am from Peshawar,” I started to say but before I could continue, the man said, “Khan saab, let me introduce you to Adam Khan, a resident from Nowshera district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), who has been living in Reno since 1976.”

Meeting me was surprising for Adam Khan and his son Adan Khan. They were stunned to see me at Reno as very few Pashtuns reside there. Khan was warm and said that he was really happy to see me there. He said that I’d come to the right place to find Pakistanis as Muslims from across the city gathered at the NNMC for Friday prayers and other religious rituals. Despite several requests, I had to refuse his offers for a meal and tea since I had to reach my office at the Reno Gazette-Journal but, nevertheless, Khan drove me to work with a hope that we will meet again.

As for Reno itself, it was difficult for me to find a place for dinner or lunch but those visiting this city in the future must remember the Taste of India, a place I quite enjoyed. Also, don’t forget to taste the samosas!

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2013.