Cllr Mohan. S. Sokhal MBE, JP

Research Week Video 2009

Worship

Mosques, temples and places of worship in and around Huddersfield

Take a look at traditional South Asian Stories.

Leaving behind the homes they once new in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, coming to a country with a different climate, foriegn language and even a different sense of dress.

These are just some of the experiences of the people coming to England from Pakistan and India in the late 50's and early 60's.

trolly buses

Growing up in Huddersfield Asghar was one of many second generation children who came to Huddersfield with their parents as infants. Born in Pakistan he grew up going to many of the local schools and later Greenhead Sixth form College. He experienced the challenges of growing up, dealing with bullies and even getting the cane from the headmaster.  

Listen to the stories of the local people who made Huddersfield their home, playing games on the streets, attending local schools and paving the way for their children.

When South Asian population first came to England, many of the men came to undertake labour jobs, but women also played a part not only in the homes, but working late into the nights sewing clothes at home for factories. Some women even worked in factories alongside looking after their home and children, here they tell their stories about home and work life.

Students at Moor End Technology College produced some Oral History recordings with adults from the South-Asian community as part of the Asian Voices workshop.

Feedback from the children was very positive:

"I never knew much about my granddad, but I think I'd like to find out now because of other people's experiences." Ammad

"I really enjoyed interviewing people and I found it a novel experience... I found it slightly uncomfortable at first, because I was nervous, but overall I thought it was a fantastic job!" Hassan

"I have learned many things about people's past in England and also something about my own past...I have come to realise just how hard it was for them." Rakeesh

"I learned how to interview someone, what kinds of questions to ask open or closed and to always let the interview flow by asking follow on questions." Arooj

"I liked that today was exciting and an interesting way of learning about history and other interesting facts about the past of Britain." Sanaa

"We liked learning about other people's background and their views about England and their home country." Ahsin and Usmaan

"I've learnt about other people's views of their cultures and I've learnt more about my background and about people moving from Pakistan to England." Luqmaan

Islamia Girls High School was established in 1984 by members of the Huddersfield community for Muslim girls to gain secondary school education. Students attending the school come from the local area and as far as Rochdale.

Poems from the students:

Arusa Jaan 

The fear I felt of leaving everything behind,

Would my new community be as friendly and kind?

When I arrived, I felt so different and alone,

They all spoke an alien language, they all looked like clones.

So here I was, in this foreign place,

Where I felt was the only Asian race.

Everything was so different, so brand new,

When would I go back home? I didn't have a clue.

Mahdiyya Saleem

They came from Pakistan,

For riches to be made,

To send all the way back to their homeland.

They worked hard all day, Sleeping all night,

They were away from their families,

Which to them was all of their light.

Today we are privileged,

To have our families here.

We love them and care for them,

As they are so near.

We should always be grateful,

For everything we have.

The development of mosques in Huddersfield

Arusa Jaan, Student at Islamia Girls High School

The fear I felt of leaving everything behind,

Would my new community be as friendly and kind?

When I arrived, I felt so different and alone,

They all spoke an alien language, they all looked like clones.

So here I was, in this foreign place,

Where I felt was the only Asian race.

Everything was so different, so brand new,

Mahdiyya Saleem, Student at Islamia Girls High School

They came from Pakistan,

For riches to be made,

To send all the way back to their homeland.

They worked hard all day,Sleeping all night,

They were away from their families,

Which to them was all of their light.

Continued and changed aspects of culture within the South Asian community.

Growing up in a community which catered for the South Asian Communities needs

Going to temple as a child for prayer and the up and the construction of more Temples.

Caring for you family.

Birkby Croft hold a weekly social event open to the South Asian community in which they get together for tea and coffee and have a natter. The group varies in age ranges and the majority of women are in their 50's and over.

Embracing fashion in the 70's.