Launching ceremony of a Book “Memoirs of a Pakhtun Immigrant” By Teresa Schapansky

On Dec 2, another book was launched in town and this time it was Ms. Teresa Schapansky’s “Memoirs of A Pakhtun Immigrant “, based on the memoirs of Mr. Gafoor Khan. Consul General of Pakistan Dr. Mohammad Tariq hosted this launching ceremony at Afghan Chopan Restaurant in Surrey with Pakistani community members. Ms. Layla Khan did the MC. Few speakers were invited to speak about late Mr. Gafoor Khan, as they knew him personally. Among the speakers was Mr. Shams Jilani, who told the audience about Mr. Khan’s efforts at that time and how difficult the immigration system was. Mr. Khan got the immigration with the help of Nasarullah Khan, a Pakistani Minister. His honesty, hardship, and dedication were the reasons behind his success. Next speaker was the writer of the book, Ms. Teresa Schapansky. She thanked everyone who came to hear Khan’s immigrant story and specially thanked Dr. Tariq for arranging the event. She said that the purpose of writing this book was to ensure the history of her husband Salim’s family was preserved. Mr. Salim is the grandson of Gafoor Khan. His father Mr. Jamal and his family’s struggles are mentioned in the start of this book. She said, “I have the absolute honor of playing a small part of this incredible journey, researching and learning history of this family discovering what could happen at arriving in Canadaside by side with Mr. Jamal and his Family.” Mr. Salim Khan, also talked about the book and his grandfather. He remembered him as a very generous man. He arrived in Vancouver Island many years before, and he struggled hard. Then they spent some time in Pakistan and came back to Canada. Mr. Khan also thanked his wife for writing the book. Mr. Rasool Mohammad had come from Texas to speak at this event. , He said that the book is the story of an immigrant and everyone here today knows how we struggle here for our food and living. He talked about Mr. Ghafoor Khan and Sr. Mastoor’s efforts during that time. He came from same region, and at that time Mr. Khan had only 2 and he had 400 in our pockets but never Mr. Khan never gave up. He was a great and brave man. The Consul General in his speech highlighted that the title of the book

has ethic and linguistic overtones as Pakhtun live in Pakistan and Afghanistan, however, the subject story relates to Pakhtun from Pakistan. Mr Jamal Khan takes pride in calling himself as Canadian of Pakistan origin. The story is about the earliest known Pakistan origin family in Western Canada who permanently settled in Vancouver Island. The Consul General added that the author through her work, depicting Pakhtun and Pakistani culture has brought Canada and Pakistan closer. The author, Ms Teresa Schapansky, a hardworking and positive person always looks at the brighter side of the things. He then thanked everyone for coming and joining him at this one of a kind event.

‘Memoirs of a Pakhtun Immigrant’

in the remote village of Charuna, in the North West Frontier Province of undivided India, a child was born in a oneroom house made of stone and clay. Although the family members of this child were povertystricken, they felt rich with knowledge; this knowledge stemmed from their customs and religious beliefs, which had spanned generations and survived the passing of time. The moment this child’s gender was determined, so was his destiny. It was expected that he would, as his father and ancestors before him had done, grow up strong, marry young, build a stone house, father children, and farm the land. As always, names were chosen carefully among the Pakhtun people, and he was called Gafoor. This was a strong, masculine title, which meant “forgiver” and “merciful”. Throughout the early years of his childhood, the boy would gather daily during the harvest seasons with his brothers, sisters, and other village children while the adults farmed the land. Never far from the watchful eyes of their parents, these children were content as they played, learned, and grew together, protected by the thick green canopies provided by the trees, and sheltered from the hot summer sun. This simple, yet laborious way of life lasted throughout his adolescent and teenaged years, and it might have continued into adulthood, if not for the interest he’d taken in the stories he’d heard about those who’d chosen to leave the mountains. Widely talked about among the villagers, and held in high regard, were the brave men who had left the comfort and security of their mountain homes. These men for the most part, found work with shipping companies in Bombay, and rumour had it that this employment not only provided a good income, but also opportunities for traveling the world - a world which, for most of those left behind, could only be imagined in their minds’ eye. Gafoor listened to the stories and was growing into an idealist. He was eager to find out how much more the world might have to offer.