Is Pakistan the most multi-cultural Muslim nation?

[Rafa]

With major ethnic groups such as,

Punjabis
Pashtuns
Sindhis
Balochs
Kashmiris
Urdu Speakers

Which other Muslim countries have more diversity of ethnic groups and languages?

 

[Nostalgic]

With major ethnic groups such as,

Punjabis
Pashtuns
Sindhis
Balochs
Kashmiris
Urdu Speakers

Which other Muslim countries have more diversity of ethnic groups and languages?

Not sure if they’re as diverse as us or not, but Afghanistan and Iran spring to mind. Ethnic Persians make up only about 50% of Iran. There are Azeris, Baloch, Turkmen, Kurds, Bakhtiaris, Luris, Arabs, and many more. Granted, some of these are arguably subgroups of the Persians and others are so well assimilated it’s hard to tell apart, but it’s a diverse country nevertheless.

 

[Syed1]

Not sure about multi-cultural but we definitely are right up there when it comes to softer version of Islam practiced. We do have mullahs and fringe elements but majority of the population has a more secular outlook to life. Like places like Saudi etc only just allowed women to drive and they still require head to toe covering etc. Iran also requires full covering and women aren't allowed at sporting events. We definitely aren't at Turkey level of liberalism though. Girls are allowed to study alongside boys, and women can work alongside men, women don't need a male with them when going outside, this is nothing too special but it is not possible in some other muslim countries who are still living in the dark ages. Oddly enough rural Pakistan has more participation of women in the workforce.

Churches, Mandirs and Gurdwaras are commonplace in Pakistan. I think the first mandir opened only recently in Saudi.

 

[Nostalgic]

Afghanistan too has well-documented diversity: Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Baloch, Nuristanis etc.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Afghanistan too has well-documented diversity: Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Baloch, Nuristanis etc.

What actually constitutes an original Afghan? I mean presumably Tajiks are from Tajikistan, Balochis are from Balochistan, Uzbeks are from Uzbekistan and so on. I had this argument with the fake Afghan @landofthebravepeople who was kissing up to Hindustan. We were discussing which was the more fake nation, Pakistan or Afghanistan, but got sidetracked into trading insults.

 

[irfan]

Not sure about multi-cultural but we definitely are right up there when it comes to softer version of Islam practiced. We do have mullahs and fringe elements but majority of the population has a more secular outlook to life. Like places like Saudi etc only just allowed women to drive and they still require head to toe covering etc. Iran also requires full covering and women aren't allowed at sporting events. We definitely aren't at Turkey level of liberalism though. Girls are allowed to study alongside boys, and women can work alongside men, women don't need a male with them when going outside, this is nothing too special but it is not possible in some other muslim countries who are still living in the dark ages. Oddly enough rural Pakistan has more participation of women in the workforce.

Churches, Mandirs and Gurdwaras are commonplace in Pakistan. I think the first mandir opened only recently in Saudi.

Interesting, I was watching a western travel youtube vlogger yesterday who has been to both Pakistan & India & he mentioned he saw more females working in the service sector in Pak.

 

[Nostalgic]

What actually constitutes an original Afghan? I mean presumably Tajiks are from Tajikistan, Balochis are from Balochistan, Uzbeks are from Uzbekistan and so on. I had this argument with the fake Afghan @landofthebravepeople who was kissing up to Hindustan. We were discussing which was the more fake nation, Pakistan or Afghanistan, but got sidetracked into trading insults.

Historically, Afghan was synonymous with Pashtun, hence the A for Afghania in Pakistan. It was only in the 60s that Zahir Shah, after sidelining Daud Khan for the time being, extended the privilege of the title to all inhabitants of Afghanistan.

Tajiks aren’t necessarily from Tajikistan, since what would be Tajikistan (land of the Tajiks) is split between the country of Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Just as Pakistani Pashtuns outnumber Afghan Pashtuns, Afghan Tajiks outnumber Tajik Tajiks (or Tajikistani Tajiks if you will).

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Historically, Afghan was synonymous with Pashtun, hence the A for Afghania in Pakistan. It was only in the 60s that Zahir Shah, after sidelining Daud Khan for the time being, extended the privilege of the title to all inhabitants of Afghanistan.

Tajiks aren’t necessarily from Tajikistan, since what would be Tajikistan (land of the Tajiks) is split between the country of Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Just as Pakistani Pashtuns outnumber Afghan Pashtuns, Afghan Tajiks outnumber Tajik Tajiks (or Tajikistani Tajiks if you will).

This is the problem with drawing lines in the sand, if nobody respects borders then jingoism is surely doomed.

 

[Nostalgic]

This is the problem with drawing lines in the sand, if nobody respects borders then jingoism is surely doomed.

Wouldn’t jingoism be the one thing that thrives in this scenario, instead of being doomed?

I was chatting with an Azeri Azeri the other day. They are outnumbered by Iranian Azeris.