Naurin, Social Media Coordinator, Bangladeshi

What’s the one thing you love about your culture?

Our love for the arts, literature, and our language; I love how poetic the Bengali language is and it’s always inspiring learning about the resilience of older generations as well as our rich intellectual and literary history. 

Bengalis come from all walks of life and speak a variety of different dialects; I find this diversity really beautiful.

What’s one thing you would change about your culture?

The amount of sugar, oil and salt in our food (we have one of the highest rates of diabetes and CVD in the UK 😔).

What kind of food would you recommend from your culture's cuisine? 

Biryani, korma, chingri maachh bhuna, roshmalai, gajorer halwa, mishti doi … (I could go on 😋)

Tell us about a time that you advocated for diversity and inclusion, whether it's in your personal or professional life:

I am involved in various university societies and projects where I am active in promoting discussions and events around diversity and inclusion, specifically issues relating to women’s career advancement and access to health information by marginalised groups.

How do you think your culture has helped you in life?

My culture has shaped my identity in a number of ways. Being multilingual is something I am especially grateful for as it has given me the privilege of being able to connect with so many different people from different backgrounds on a much deeper level.

Aya, Newsletter Editor, Algerian

When was the last time you visited your home country? If you have, how would you describe it?

Feels like a lifetime ago, in 2019. The best way to describe it is like it gives you a warm and welcoming hug!

Tell us about some traditions or celebrations that your family participates in:

One thing that stands out to me is the weddings! The bride changes about ten times in one night, you'd mistake it for a fashion show.

What’s one thing you would change about your culture?

The lasting effect the French colonization had on Algeria, such as names, landmarks, blood and language.

What kind of food would you recommend from your culture's cuisine? 

Algerian couscous, it's iconic. Very flavourful and beautifully presented in clay tagine dishes

Tell us about a time that you advocated for diversity and inclusion, whether it's in your personal or professional life:

I was having a conversation with a few Algerian aunties; they implied that being from the capital of Algeria is the ideal. They were discriminating against traditions, ways of life, income and even skin colour of people from other parts of Algeria. I explained why what they were saying was wrong and hopefully changed their outdated way of thinking.

How do you think your culture has helped you in life?

My culture makes up my character, there is so much that I learn from being Algerian. We focus on confidence, social skills and hospitality. Culture shapes who you are and gives you a sense of belonging.

Salma, Secretary, Somali

When was the last time you visited your home country? If you have, how would you describe it?

The first and last time I visited was in 2018. It has beautiful scenery, a friendly atmosphere and lots of animals.

Tell us about some traditions or celebrations that your family participates in:

Somali traditional dances such as buraanbur and dhaanto.

What kind of food would you recommend from your culture's cuisine? 

Sabaayad iyo Maraq, Canjeero, Malawax, Muufo iyo Suqaar, Bariis iyo hilib

Tell us about a time that you advocated for diversity and inclusion, whether it's in your personal or professional life:

I once gave a mosque recommendation to a white revert sister and encouraged her to go despite her feeling anxious.

How do you think your culture has helped you in life?

It has helped shape my personality and enables me to become more confident and outspoken.

Hajrah, Quality Assurance Lead, Indian

When was the last time you visited your home country? If you have, how would you describe it?

In the summer of 2012. India has some beautiful places like the Taj Mahal and Goa, but there’s also a lot of poverty as well. I remember people living near the rail tracks in the train station :(

Tell us about some traditions or celebrations that your family participates in:

When a wedding is over, the groom’s immediate family and relatives arrive at the groom’s family home before the newlyweds and then lock the front door. The groom then has to negotiate a price with the family for them just to open the front door!

What’s one thing you would change about your culture?

The obsession with fair skin/colourism in Indian culture.

Tell us about a time that you advocated for diversity and inclusion, whether it's in your personal or professional life:

I recently took part in a programme where I worked with a group of people who had different cultures, races and religious beliefs. We all supported each other and learned a lot from each other’s experiences and struggles.

Fatnin, Design Manager, Malay

What’s the one thing you love about your culture?

Malaysians love food. Our dishes are inspired by Chinese, Tamil, Bangladeshi, Javanese, Singaporean and Indonesian flavours, so you can always get a dish containing that sweet, salty, tangy and spicy kick. Each Malaysian state has a signature dish, so you can tell where someone is from based on their take on a traditional dish.

We also have amazingly diverse communities in Malaysia due to many migrants from neighbouring countries. Often children grow up knowing Malay, English, and some Tamil or Chinese slang. 

When was the last time you visited your home country? If you have, how would you describe it?

Last time I visited I was twelve years old. I remember it being swelteringly hot. Every evening, the streets would come alive with people as they purchased street food by the roadside, or they would go to the local pasar malam (night market). This was where you could catch up with your friends, eat cheap foods on plastic tables and chairs, and laugh until the early hours when it would be time to go to the local mosque to pray fajr.

Tell us about some traditions or celebrations that your family participates in:

We have these events called "Open House", and the clue is in the name! We open our house to everyone who would want to come and celebrate Eid with home cooked dishes like satay, rendang and teh tarik. 

I grew up in Sheffield where the Malay community is not large, but we would still open our house during Eid week and host up to 200 people throughout the day! Friends, family and neighbours would come along, all dressed in their Eid clothes. It’s just a great way to spread the love.

Tell us about a time that you advocated for diversity and inclusion, whether it's in your personal or professional life:

I came from a pretty poor background, including living in a low-income area and going to a state school rated "special measures" by Ofsted. The opportunity to study Medicine at King's College London is not something I take for granted. 

I worked hard as a Widening Participation Ambassador and a Senior Student Ambassador during my university years, and I taught at schools and sixth forms quite regularly. I advocated for higher education and supported young students from similar backgrounds as mine to reach their aspirations.

Saneaah, Social Media Team, Pakistani

When was the last time you visited your home country? If you have, how would you describe it?

A few months back—I don’t know where to start! It was amazing of course :)

What’s one thing you would change about your culture?

I think certain people within cultures introduce biases and make things unequal, so I’d want to change those negative perceptions.

Tell us about some traditions or celebrations that your family participates in:

Celebrating the start of spring, historical figures etc.

How do you think your culture has helped you in life?

Influencing my values!

Tasmia, Data Manager, Bangladeshi

When was the last time you visited your home country? If you have, how would you describe it?

About 17 years ago, and it was incredibly hot. I preferred it in more rural areas in comparison to the city, which felt like complete mayhem!

What kind of food would you recommend from your culture's cuisine? 

Hutki (no joke), but not the dry kind.

Tell us about a time that you advocated for diversity and inclusion, whether it's in your personal or professional life:

Almost every day I talk to my parents about gender bias in our culture. Diversity in domestic chores counts right?

How do you think your culture has helped you in life?

Strong familial ties are important in South Asian cultures, which has really helped me in situations when I've needed support.

Anjum, Prayer Space Team, Bangladeshi

What’s the one thing you love about your culture?

The food—there's so much variety and flavour, it's definitely one of the best parts!

When was the last time you visited your home country? If you have, how would you describe it?

The last time I visited Bangladesh was in 2016. The streets are busy, dusty and colourful, and the humidity hits you as soon as you step out of the airport. Going into air-conditioned cars and buildings is the most relief you'll get in the heat.

What kind of food would you recommend from your culture's cuisine? 

One food that I think is great and that everyone maybe should try is maacher jhuri with rice and lots of lemon—it's one of the only fish dishes I liked at first!

Tell us about a time that you advocated for diversity and inclusion, whether it's in your personal or professional life:

I’ve advocated for diversity and inclusion in relatively small ways, whether it's through discussions with friends and family or wearing cultural clothing to events.

How do you think your culture has helped you in life?

My culture gives me a way of life that I enjoy, so I guess you could say it's helped me live with more story and meaning.

Anjumin, Blogger, Pakistani

When was the last time you visited your home country? If you have, how would you describe it?

Last time I visited Pakistan was in 2017, it was beautiful! Full of colour, wonderful people and good vibes.

Tell us about some traditions or celebrations that your family participates in:

We love a good party when it comes to weddings, and these can usually start a good week before the actual wedding day. From dholki nights, to mayoons to mehndi parties, which are always so fun. Another tradition we take part in are the million and one dawats (dinner invites) that newly married couples and their families have. These can be fun, but tiring!

A personal family tradition, which I'm sure may be the same for other Pakistani households, is having semiah/savayah (vermicelli in warm milk) every Eid for breakfast.

What’s one thing you would change about your culture?

The stigma of men being more superior to women when it may come to certain life decisions or their roles within the household and society. Thankfully this isn’t something I’ve personally experienced, but know of friends and family members that have/do. 

Tell us about a time that you advocated for diversity and inclusion, whether it's in your personal or professional life:

Most recent one I can think of is at work, the HR team has been made more aware of other cultural/religious holidays, which all stemmed from me asking for a prayer room when I first joined. They even sent a cute newsletter to all employees this year two days before Ramadan, which gave a brief overview of what Ramadan represents and etiquettes to be mindful of around a colleague that is fasting.

How do you think your culture has helped you in life?

It’s helped me to stay grounded, to be kind and hospitable towards others no matter who they are. It’s also given me a voice that’s helped build bridges with other people.

Do you have anything you want to share about your culture? Let us know in the comments below or sharing this post on social media and tagging us!