They were (mostly) Islmailis who settled from all parts of South Asia before there ever was Pakistan or India. That's why Pakistan accepted some expelled Asians.
Is there a story behind this? Why were the Ismailis the ones they sent? Is this why some ismailis are well off?
Sorry brother but I disagree. Im guessing you live in Pakistan? I lived in America for a good 10 years, in NYC which is the most racially, culturally and religiouly diverse place in the world and I have not seen a single biracial kid who did not face health problems or difficulties even when society was very accepting of such things because on a personal level every human being seeks a coherent identity with which he/she can identify with, regardless of how accepting society is.
I've lived there as well. They seemed fine to me. The issue isn't so much as race, as it is cultural (which includes race to a large degree). Notice Muhammad Ali said how he's different from the blacks in Zaire... that's because he's American black, who have their own culture, which is different from American white. He'd have more issues if he married a black from Africa, than he would if he married a white (which he never wanted to do... so who cares).
Maybe for some people it works but I have never seen such people even when I lived in the most diverse place in the world.
That's because in New York, you've probably seen a lot of b*stard childeren (no joke). That happens a lot with the poor whites and blacks.
B*stard children are usually raised in a poor, hostile environment, probably by a single mother who can't keep her legs closed.
It's not worth jeopardizing the future of your offspring over some social experiment. I want that my children will grow up in a household where they will be able to identify with their grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles and be able to communicate with them and relate to their culture.
You don't see that in interracial households because the child(ren) grow up in a confusing environment.
I agree here. But it's got more to do with cultural cohesion. Also note that the world has changed a lot since Muhammad Ali, so I don't think it's that big a barrier any more.
Not that I'm saying it's the be-all end-all. I too, agree with him, in that I like my race. But I wouldn't sh*t the bed the way he's doing over something like interracial stuff.
In fact it is the complete opposite. It causes a major identity crisis. I think this is something that we Pakistanis take for granted, having a homogeneous society where majority of the people are more or less similar to ourselves. But if you ever get the chance to live in the West, and I personally would recommend NYC because it is the most diverse place in the world and no other place in the world rivals it in this regard, you will see what I mean.
Pakistan is very diverse. Each province has arguably it's own culture. In some cases it has more in common with the culture of another country than other Pakistanis. Punjabis in Pak and India... big difference is religion. But same language, similar food, similar mannerisms etc.
In conclusion, I don't agree that race is a barrier. It's more cultural than racial. But personal preference also exists - many people just like to keep it in the same race.
