The Alum Rock Diaries
This project explores the British Pakistani community in Alum Rock, Birmingham, examining their dual identity through portraits and personal narratives. It reflects the balance between preserving cultural heritage and adapting to life in the UK. The work highlights the complexities of belonging and identity, drawing on visual storytelling and cultural studies to connect the subject’s experiences with a wider audience.
Personal Narrative: “They See Me As Just a Delivery Driver, But They Don’t Know I Have Driven Through Storms Of Doubt And fear To Give My Parents A Smooth Ride To Their Dreams And Expectations They Have From Me”
Reflective Personal Narrative : “ The cricket matches in the streets of my hometown will always be my fondest memories of childhood”
Personal Narrative: “My Faith Gives Me Strength In A World That Sometimes Feels Uncertain. It’s The Prayer Whisphered In My Mother’s Voice, The Quran In My Father’s Hands, And The Peace I Carry In My Heart. No Matter Where I Go, It’s My Anchor And My Guide”
Reflective Narrative: "The warmth of chai shared with friends in Pakistan taught me the value of simple joys"
Personal Narrative: “Living At Alum Rock Birmingham Feels Like A Comforting Connection To My Roots In Pakistan, It’s A Vibrant, Multicultural Hub That Brings Familar Memories”
Reflective Narrative: "Even in this new world, I hear the folk songs of Pakistan as if they’re sung just for me"
Personal Narrative: “I Wear Shalwar Kameez Just Because I Want My Kids To Know Where We Come From, So They Can Keep Our Cultural Heritage And Identity Alive”
Reflective Narrative - "When I wear the shawl my father gave me, I feel the weight of his blessings and the connection to the land he loved”
Personal Narrative -“As An International Student In Alum Rock, I Have Been Immersed In A Vibrant Tapestry Of Cultures. The Diverse Community Here Has Shattered The Myth Of Cultural Barriers. It’s Inspring To Witness People From Different Backgrounds Co-Existing Peacefully Sharing Their Traditions And Embracing Each Other’s Difference”
Reflective Narrative- “Every time I see children playing cricket in the streets of this foreign land, I am reminded of the endless matches we played, under the warmth of the sun”
Personal Narrative: "Alum Rock Is My Home, But So Is Gujranwala. The Streets Here Are Lined With Opportunity, But My Heart Still Yearns For The Street Vendors Calling Out And The Warmth Of Aunts And Uncles In every corner. I Live In Both Worlds, And I Wouldn’t Trade Either"
Reflective Narrative: "The Urdu poetry I grew up hearing from my father flows in my veins, reminding me of the beauty of my language and culture"
Personal Narrative -“They Tell Me To Choose One Identity As If I Can Divide Myself In Two. But I am not Halves, I am Whole. I Speak English, But I Dream Of Urdu. My Existence Isn’t Conflicted, It’s A Harmony Of Cultures That Make Me Who I am”
Reflective Narrative - “I carry Pakistan in my accent, my food, and my laughter it’s a part of who I am”
Personal Narrative: “I Wake Up Before Sunrise Everyday To Open MyCorner Shop. It’s Not Glamorous, But It’s Honest. It’s My Way Of Showing My Kids That Dignity Lies In Hard Work, No Matter Where You Come From”
"The sound of the dhol at weddings reminds me of the celebrations that united us as a community back home"
Personal Narrative - “The Sound Of The Azan (Call To Pray) Echoing In The Streets Of My Childhood Still Plays In My Mind. When I Close My Eyes In Birmingham, I Can Feel The Same Peace, The Same Faith, And The Same Connection To History That Crosses Boarders And Time”
Reflective Narrative - “The mountains and valleys of Pakistan and especially my village Gilgit (Northern side) are etched in my mind, their beauty unmatched”
Personal Narrative -“I Moved Here For My Children To Have A Brighter Future, But I Didn’t Leave My Past Behind. My Memories, My Languages, My Prayers They Are The Pieces Of Home I Brought With Me, Building a Bridge Between Where I Came From And Where I am Now”
Reflective Narrative: "Even miles away, the echoes of the street vendors in Sialkot stay with me, a constant reminder of the vibrant life I left behind”
Personal Narrative : "I Came Here To Birmingham For Better Future, But My Past Isn’t Something I Left Behind”
Reflective Narrative : "The taste of a home-cooked meal, especially the spices of biryani, will always be a deep-rooted reminder of the love that fills my country’s kitchens”
Personal Narrative: “ I See My Reflection In The Glass Of This High-Rise Office, But Behind It, I See My GrandFather’s Fields. His Sweat Made My Suit Possible. His Dreams Made My Reality”
Reflective Narrative -“My prayers in this foreign land carry the same faith I found in the mosques of Pakistan”
Personal Narrative : “Alum Rock Is Second Home To Me, It’s Just Like Whenever I am At Home Or University I Feel Like I am In Birmingham But When I Go Out On the Streets Of Alum Rock I Hear My Native Languages Like Urdu, Pashto, and Punjabi. It Gives Me Vibe Of My Home Country”
Reflective Personal Narrative : “No matter how far I travel, the essence of Pakistan is in my words, my actions, and my heart”
Personal Narrative: "Living In Alum Rock Feels Similar To Living Near Saddar In Rawalpindi. When I Moved To Birmingham, I Expected Exposure To A Diverse Culture And A Lifestyle Shift. However, Staying In Alum Rock, I See The Same chaos, Noise, And Litter That I Left Behind In Pakistan At Times, It Feels Like I Have Just Moved To Another City In Pakistan Rather Than The UK”
Reflective Narrative: "The laughter of my siblings and cousins in the streets of Malkwal will forever be the echo that keeps me connected to my past"
Personal Narrative: “Every Eid I Send Money Back Home Not Because They Need It, But Because I Need To Stay Connected. It’s My Way Of Saying I Have Not Forgotten Where I Come From”
Reflective Narrative: "Every street I walk in the UK feels empty without the chaotic yet comforting noise of Rawalpindi vibrant city life, where everyone knows everyone"