Mohammed Alyas audio interview

00:00 Gives name and current job. Early life and name of village they were from. Recalls school life, enthusiasm to study and memories of village community and daily routine.

02:30 Migration to the UK. Impressions of work life in the UK influenced by brothers’ experiences. Journey from airport to Oldham.

05:30 Memories of school and English teaching school in Oldham. Struggle with English language whilst taking exams.

07:12 Explains the ethnic makeup of the school being majority white. Describes when they first realised the difference between Pakistani and Kashmiri identities/backgrounds whilst working at the markets. Describes the behaviour towards Kashmiris from Pakistani traders, who thought them as inferior. Left school, went to College and then studied chemical engineering at University.

10:37 Began community work during College. The importance of having public services in place for Kashmiri communities in Oldham.

13:05 Finding a career. Promoting Kashmiri as an identity, fighting against inequality between services provided for Pakistani and Kashmiri communities.

16:23 Children’s knowledge of Kashmiri background and Pahari language. Significance of mother tongues, Pahari and Kashmiri representation on self-identity.