| Description | An interview with Zubair KHAN, a married man with two boys, two girls, who is a Police - Scene of Crime Officer, born in Pakistan and now living in Birmingham. Zubair KHAN’s father was a Furnaceman, born in Pakistan and his mother a Housewife born in Pakistan. In the interview, he talks about …
' ZUBAIR KHAN MS2255/2/090 Logged by Lorraine Blakemore
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My name is Mohammed Zubair Khan and I’m 41 years of age. I was born on 25th March, 1959 in a village…in Mirpur, Pakistan. I came to England on 19th February, 1971….to join my father….he had come to England in 1957 to join his father…. Purpose in England to gain employment. Father retired from British Steel Corp. in late 80s. Father told him of 30-40 men sleeping in one house when he first arrived. People on night shift would have to wait for the day people to get up so that they could go to bed.
2.12 Father would work for some time then go back to Pakistan for holidays. Decided it would be better for family to join him in England.
2.39 Zubair was 12 when he first came to England. Father bought a house in Alum Rock.
3.26 I got married in August, 1982. I had an arranged marriage…by the family, particularly my elder brother and parents…I’m glad that they did….Then I applied for her to come and join me as my fiancée….
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My grandfather…came here in early 30s. He got off a cargo ship at one of the harbours….was working for the British…He got a job in a foundry in Needham Street, Nechells…. Describes where his grandfather lived and the community.
2.16 Childhood in Pakistan.
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Schooling in Pakistan. Describes school system.
1.11 Strong moral teaching.
1.40 When I came to England as a child I couldn’t speak English and I went to a special session for about 6 months to a school in Springhill. It was especially catering for those who came from South Asian countries….Then In September,1972, I went to Naseby School…a comprehensive school….I left the school with 3 CSEs in 1975….
2.57 I wasn’t able to communicate with people effectively until I was about 15….I was then able to understand what the teachers were saying…. Remembers the teachers and the discipline.
4.00 When I was there…there were about 15 Asian people at the school….It was a mixed school….I left in 1975 and went to Hodge Hill School where I embarked upon doing ‘O’ levels from 1975-8…Started an A Level course, found it too hard and left education.
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Story about meeting up with former teacher.
30” We used to go to the mosque at weekends or whenever we could…There were not many Asian people with families here….we would socialise together… Changes in communication with relatives in Pakistan over the years.
2.00 Father married a white woman in England. Zubair feels more at home in England than in Pakistan.
2.40 Many Pakistani men married local white women in the 50s.
I think it was one of those syndromes of being away from home, wanting company and wanting a relationship. I know a lot of people in our community who had second wives here….some of them are still together, some have divorced…I don’t think it was looked upon very favourably….
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Felt impeded by his lack of English and subsequent qualifications.
Did a City & Guilds course in Pharmacy Technicians whilst working at Boots Chemist for 2 years. In mid 1990s embarked upon part-time law degree course at UCE. Graduated in 1999. Believes everyone should have the opportunity to go to university. Encourages his own children.
1.57 Appointed as Chair of governing body at Washwood Heath Technology College. Discusses the school’s success.
2.47 Eldest son is at Josiah Mason College. Eldest daughter is at Hodge Hill School. Second son is at Washwood Heath College. Second daughter also at Hodge Hill.
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One of the things I do believe in quite strongly is integration. We are part of a multi-cultural society and I do believe we can all live together, work and socialise together and still keep our culture and identity….Some people want to have their own areas where they only want certain sections of the community…I think it’s good to have Islamic Schools but people should have choice….I’m a Muslim and I think it’s very important to have a strong faith…
2.12 Details the provisions made for Muslim children at the school where he is chair and compares with his own schooling.
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I think the state should provide for Islamic schools where there is a demand for it…In my own case for example I made the conscious decision to send my own 2 daughters to a mixed school… discusses some of the conflicts in making that decision and how it has personally affected his daughter.
1.48 We’ve always been told that equality of education for both boys and girls is very important….I’m doing the same for my children….Some Muslim families probably give less opportunities to their daughters….
2.43 I left school in 1978 and I started my first job…in Shard End as a Trainee Pharmacy Technician…I went to Matthew Boulton Technical College for 2 years…..Went to work for Boots….until 1987… Describes his role.
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I left them in 1987 to join West Midlands Police as a Scenes of Crimes Officer…I’ve dealt with offences from theft to murders….Reasons for joining the police and how his role has evolved.
1.49 I’m currently involved in recruiting a lot more ethnic officers….The West Midlands Police has got 16%, I believe….I’m also one of the assessors for new recruits….
3.12 Story about how the Asian community first reacted to his new job based on their beliefs about police back in their home country.
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I was one of the first to join the police from that district… Father was well-known in the community.
1.39 Own experience of prejudice in the police force.
2.51 The Stephen Lawrence Enquiry has had a major impact on how the British police officer works….Anybody found behaving racistly or homophobically will almost certainly be sacked after investigation….You can approach a senior officer who will have to do something about it legally….I’m one of the first contact advisors for people who may be experiencing racism….
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The police force is quite unique in the way it works, everybody sticks with each other…. Positive aspects of the police.
1.11 Describes his working week and role as scenes of crimes officer (in detail).
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When I first joined the police….the canteen culture was very bad….they would talk about Pakis, Indians….It was an accepted norm….in mid to late 80s….Everyone has now been on a multi-cultural awareness course…. How the situation has improved.
3.12 Not experienced racism from the public.
4.34 Changes in how the police are received by the public.
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People have, to some extent, lost confidence in this service…
55” Worked in Sutton Coldfield, Stetchford in 1980s.
1.36 I currently work in the Aston area which is quite a deprived part of inner city Birmingham….We tend to get a lot more serious crime. There are quite a few murders per year, and woundings….If you compare with Sutton Coldfield, they haven’t had anything serious for 18 months….We have a good detection rate….
2.57 Reasons for escalation in crime in certain areas.
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Role of Islam in his life.
50” Sponsored 2 children in Pakistan to study the Holy Koran.
2.21 Islam is very important. It keeps the family together….I don’t have the opportunity of praying 5 times a day because of my job, but I go to the Friday prayers at the mosque….I think you become a better Muslim if you have a broad balanced education….
3.56 Thoughts about Pakistan.
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Contrasts with England.
49” Some people do think that we as a family are too Westernised….the way we socialise, dress….But there’s a limit to what we do…
1.51 My first impression of Birmingham when I came here in 1971…it was quite an old city, the roads were quite narrow…. Lists improvements.
2.43 Links with Pakistan.
In sport he would support Pakistan over England.
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Details changing in naming his family.
1.38 Some of our children are now far too Westernised, even more so than the English people….I like to see a balance…
2.21 Success of his own arranged marriage.
3.31 On arranged marriages for his children. I f they want me to choose a partner for them, I will do that….If they have chosen somebody who is compatible I will encourage them to get married….somebody who is educated, got a decent job and is broad minded….
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Discusses immigration. Most of the people from his village have settled in England.
1.47 How families have settled in different parts of the country.
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Voluntary work.
Serves on BBC Radio WM Local Advisory Council.
Taught forensic science at college.
ENDS. |