Shaniera Akram is a household name in Pakistan. Synonymous with ‘Bhabi’, known for her ability to take on a cause, cleaning up our beaches, and also taking on Pakistan in a warm-hearted virtual embrace, every time she takes to Twitter. She will post on socially meaningful issues, things that bother her or she feels must be spoken of to raise awareness. She won’t back down if she’s in for a cause, but she will do it all with a sublime positivity which is why she goes down as an expat turned Pakistani whom the nation also embraces with their hearts!
We give you Shaniera Akram in Gup Shup with FUCHSIA! Read on to know her views on Pakistan, Islam and taking on a new country & continent to ultimately call it home.
Pakistani Attire Is Very Empowering, She Opines
I feel like a princess every time I wear one of these.
Shaniera Akram
That is certainly a liberating thought – refreshing perspectives on our libas for sure! Shaniera appears cool in a Farah Talib Aziz creation, a designer she’s admitted to wearing often, because she loves the style!
Shaniera Is In Love With Pakistan!
“I moved to Pakistan and I did it for love, but I’ve fallen in love with the whole country now!
Shaniera Akram
On her first memories..
My first memory she reveals, was from the airport, dusty roads, 5 people on a motor bike but then the vibe was so strong! I thought I’d seen the world, but Pakistan was different!
Shaniera Akram
Really? We ask. But tell us 5 things you noticed from the get go about Pakistan. From the eyes of someone who decided to make it her home much later in the day.
She Talked About Raising Voice Against Wrongs!
Sometimes you realize you don’t need to fix things because they’re not really broken…that’s just the way they’re done here. Different but that’s okay. That’s what I had to learn.
Shaniera Akram.
“I observed, stayed silent, and learnt to adapt and integrate. Become a Pakistani. Everyone loved me so much especially because I’m Waseem’s wife,” gushed Shaniera. And on her better half? Oh he’s a romantic at heart. Every day is Valentine’s day for him!
Even if I felt I wanted to talk about something, I did my homework first. Shaniera put it very wisely, that she wouldn’t want to address an issue she didn’t know enough about.
So, Tell Us, Things Typically Pakistani In Your Books, We Ask, Curious To Know From Her Eyes, What Might Have Missed Us?
Oh well, she laughs. Don’t ever be on time anywhere! If they say 1pm for lunch, you can safely get out of the shower at 2!
Shaniera Akram
But that’s just the way it is. She’s not one to criticize a cultural (ahem) norm. So folks, if you’re listening, when in Pakistan, do as the Pakistanis do, take your time and show up ‘fashionably’ late!
In Pakistan, You Will Never Be Lonely!
Pakistanis are a nation who are passionate about anything they do. They’re all heart! Whether it’s playing cricket, fashion, or giving charity. They live and breathe the cause, profession or hobby they take up.
Shaniera Akram
Many would agree, yes, we are a passionate translate jazbaati nation… wait till you see our cricket team (ahem) lose a match and you’ll know what she’s talking about.
A hugely positive observation. Shaniera noted that one is never alone in Pakistan. You always have a support system. Someone to talk to or go to, which is so heartening!
Pakistanis taught me to live every day and, in the moment.
Shaniera Akram
She’s just about hit the nail on the head here!
I couldn’t drive right away she says. I believe in straight lines and signs. But the country has progressed immensely in the 10 years I’ve been here. And we will go places.
Shaniera Akram
We decide now we’re meeting up, going to the beach, etc. We do things at the drop of a hat. Yeah, that sounds just about as Pakistani as it gets. Shaniera has us all figured out for sure!
Her Shift Towards Islam. How Hard Or Easy Was It?
Shaniera responded with a poignant story. It was Ramazan.
Shaniera responded with a poignant story. It was Ramazan. I was watching people open up their homes for Iftar….and giving. Some were letting in hundreds of people! I couldn’t believe people could give so much! There is no other religion that’s like this, I thought. I’ve never seen this anywhere else. And that was the start of my journey.
Shaniera Akram
“Islam is a journey. It finds you, you don’t find it. You progress in phases,” she gazes into the distance and says almost to herself. “For me, it had to mean something. I now do some work behind the scenes too. Charity, fund raising, out of the public eye,” she added.
And so continued our Gup Shup on writing emails to her daughter, on discovering motherhood in Pakistan, on love, on age difference in marriage, on finding oneself!
