'I've written a book so my child - and others - can learn about their heritage'
A new mother has published a children's book in a bid to protect her Pakistani heritage from dying out.
Unzela Khan Sheikh, a second generation British Pakistani, hopes the book will keep her heritage and native language alive for future generations.
The book entitled 'Pakistan, I’ll Be Back' is based on a little girl called Anum Khan who visits Karachi and explores the city with her family.
The story is based on Unzela's own childhood trips to the country and is written with three language translations, English, Roman Urdu, and Urdu script.
Unzela Khan Sheikh was inspired to write the book after her daughter was bornUnzela, 29, was inspired to write the book following the birth of her 10-month old daughter Aafiya. She wrote it during her maternity leave with the help of her own mother for the translation.
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It was published earlier this month, which coincides with South Asian Heritage Month.
"I only speak to Aafiya in Urdu, it is the only language I use with her, I want it engrained in her. I started TikTok videos of me speaking to her in Urdu and it has really taken off from there", says Unzela.
"I keep the culture alive at home through language and food. I weaned Aafiya on paratha, but definitely kept the chilli out.
"As a third generation it is so important she stays in touch with her language and culture. As a British Pakistani, you're never fully British, you're still half Pakistan and to keep in touch with your roots is important, we have to embrace that.
"The book follows Anum's journey as she explore the city, Karachi. She visits the university, airport, basically things I have done when I was a child."
Unzela, a journalist at My London, visited Pakistan as a child a handful of times but after an 11-year gap, she was determined to reconnect with her roots again. In 2018, Unzela spent a year in Pakistan working as a TV presenter.
She says: "After a long gap I knew I wanted to go back and reconnect with Pakistan again. Karachi is a city that doesn't sleep, life starts after people finish work.
"People would socialise until the early hours of the morning. That was my chance to reconnect with the culture. Ironically my own Urdu become a little poor because everyone spoke English in the office."
'Pakistan, I’ll Be Back' is based on Unzela Khan Sheikh's childhood tripsAlthough Unzela has always kept the culture alive at home she worries about her daughter's future.
Unzela adds: "I grew up in Barnet which wasn't a diverse area and at school I did struggle. I remember when I was five, my mum dressed me in a Pakistani outfit for fancy dress day and other children were like, 'what is that, what are you wearing?'
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"I pretended the dupatta (scarf) were my wings, I felt embarrassed. Of course, I do worry about my daughter and her future.
"When I went to university, the environment was diverse. I had friends who were Bengali, Pakistani and Indian. I joined societies to embrace cultures."
Unzela from London, says she hopes to start a series of books featuring different countries one day.
She says: "The feedback has been amazing from parents. I have had people asking if I will start a series visiting different cities, like India.
"I can't wait to take my daughter to Pakistan. I've already told my husband the first visit will be dedicated to meeting all the family and we'll do a second visit to explore the country."
Unzela will have a pop-up stall at Westfield Strafford Shopping Centre to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day on August 14.
The book is available to buy on Amazon.
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