Jamal Ara Ahmad

Story

What were the circumstances of the family you were born into?

The family into which I was born was an extended family in which my uncles and my grandmother of my father’s side lived all together in a big house in India. At first we lived all together, we used to eat together etc. After a few circumstances members of our family were separated, and my mother and my family moved into my grandmother’s house from my mother’s side.

We lived together with my grandmother, after a few years my mother had passed away. I had two elder brothers, an elder sister and a younger sister. As my mother had passed away my elder brother who was disabled was in charge and he did his best to take care of all his siblings. I married to Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad in 1950 and my second elder brother married to my husband’s sister.

Where did you live before and after you came to Australia? Briefly describe the characteristics of those places.

Before coming to Australia, my family lived all around northern India. We had lived in Aligarh, Delhi, Kashmir, Mohamdabad (My husband’s family house) Awai (My grandmother’s house). The most interesting place where I lived was Jamia Milia because it made we feel welcomed, the people were very friendly, the community in which I lived was very friendly.

What sort of education did you have?

I didn’t go to school, we did home study; we mostly learnt at home our spoken language, Urdu and our Religion.

What were the main reasons for you leaving homeland?

The main reason for leaving homeland because of my husband’s job circumstances. My husband received a scholarship to do his PhD, for which he migrated to Australia and we followed soon after.

What was your impression of Australia when you arrived?

I had expected that Australia would be just the same as India.

Did that impression change? If so,how?

No, the impression did not change, but I found Australia to be very highly secure, in those days.

Name any events or experiences that were of importance to you?

It was pleasantly surprising to see how nice the people were here and I was very grateful of this. Also there wasn\’t much illegal activity as well which also surprised me.

During your life, what historical events were you involved in/affected you in any way, and how?

Leaving India, my homeland, leaving all my relatives and going towards a new country was upsetting but also uplifting. Also events that greatly affected me were when my grandsons passed away.

What were the main obstacles and problems you encountered and the main successes you had in your childhood, your journey to Australia and your life in Australia?

In my childhood, the thing I enjoyed most was atmosphere in my family, and the worst problem I encountered was when I was 12 years old and my mother had passed away. When travelling to Australia I lost all my jewellery and when migrated to Australia, I faced a language problem – a culture problem, After settling in peacefully I moved into the community and I looked after my children; I was involved in family social activities.

What have been your main motivations in your life?

The main motivation of my life was to have a peaceful atmosphere at home and bringing up my children in a proper manner in the preparation for the Hereafter of a happy and successful life.

What are some of the more unusual experiences you have had in your life?

An unusual experience was when one of my children divorced which I had never expected. Also two of my grandsons have died early in their lives Ð this saddened me immensely.

Please give a brief overview of your family.

When my children were small, we lived together happily and peacefully. My children have now grown up, married and settled down. We had built a big house where we lived for a long time. Due to changing circumstances, my sons and daughters have taken up different paths. Of course, as a mother, I am affected by these changes.

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