Christian IDP sings tunes of Waziristan

Many uprooted minorities families want to return to their homes.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN:

The centuries-old folk songs of Warizistan praise its culture and the bravery of its men. In his loud, melodious voice, 37-year-old Khalid Iqbal – a Christian by faith – relives the history of the land he calls home, singing songs in Pashto.

“In the Waziristani dialect of Pashto,” he quickly corrects.

Not only tens of thousands of Uthmanzai and Dawar tribals left their homes after the military operation Zarb-e-Azb began last month, but many minorities’ families from North Waziristan Agency have been displaced as well.

Iqbal’s family is now settled in Pennel Public High School, Bannu, among 20 other minorities’ families. Nearly 25 more Christian and Hindu families have taken refuge in Janbaz Public School as internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“I wish to be back at home soon. Life was good there; good weather, good friends,” says Iqbal. As a hujra singer, he performs on all occasions, including Eid, Christmas and Diwali.

Iqbal’s family used to live in Civil Colony, Miramshah, one of nearly 200 Christian and Hindu families residing in Mirali and Miramshah, the two main towns of North Waziristan. Just like the Uthmanzai and Dawar tribes, the minorities speak Pashto in the Waziristani dialect and follow the same Waziristani culture and customs.

A majority of Christians and Hindus have small businesses, are tailors and teachers.

They said that before the Taliban, they lived in peace in the agency, facing no fear or harm to their individual and collective lives.

His religion never became a hurdle in him becoming a part of Waziristani society, he claims. “Like other minorities, we were accepted and appreciated by the Uthmanzai and Dawar tribes.”

“In 1986, there was held naat competition in which all North Waziristan government schools were invited to participate. As a grade-seven student, I participated from Government High School Miramshah and stood first,” he recalls.

He gleefully adds, “Maulana Usman, our Islamiat teacher at the time, encouraged me to participate.”

Even though he was trained in homeopathy, Iqbal’s heart was in music. After he sang informally at weddings and for some friends, he completed a musician’s course from Sano Bar Khan, FC Musician at Miramshah FC Fort, Iqbal told The Express Tribune.

His seven-year-old son, Faizan, is also learning music and being trained by his father. “I hope in coming years, Faizan will earn a good name in Waziristan and he will be as respected for his music and voice like his father.”

Many other families, too, want to return to the mountains of Waziristan after the operation, rather than migrating to a less volatile region. Many said they wanted to go back home after the operation was over, “We are from Waziristan. We are living there for three generations. I hope for peace and stability soon,” said Iqbal Masih, a 38-year-old Christian pharmacist.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2014.