‘Hear My Voice’- Stories From The South Asian Diaspora: Abdul Hakim

Abdul Hakim © Farzana Hakim

It was a true pleasure interviewing my father Abdul Hakim for my project. His knowledge and his recollection of life stories and anecdotes were real eye openers for me. I learnt so much about him and my own family during the interview. I have a lot to thank him for to be honest. His and my late Grandad’s struggles, hard work and perseverance, definitely paved the way for my siblings and I to easily achieve whatever we have today. 

Here is his story:

An Interview with Abdul Hakim © Farzana Hakim

Abdul Hakim has been a resident of Newham for the last 62 years. His Father, late Haji Abdul Razaq, had already immigrated from Pakistan and arrived in the UK in 1960. After spending a year settling in, he was able to arrange for his wife and only son to come and live with him too.

Now aged 67, Abdul Hakim recalled the first day that he arrived in the UK with his mother, Rafiqan Begum, on a cold day in March 1961:

Abdul Hakim also spoke of his first day of school in Newham and he particularly remembered the culture shock!

Abdul Hakim spoke at length about the importance of cinema as a form of entertainment when he was a child. He was a member of the Newham children’s club which was a Saturday screening of children’s films and cartoons at the local cinemas here, which he went to see every week with his young school friends in the early 60’s. 

 About going to watch the Indian films which were screened on Sunday mornings at cinemas in Newham and Tower Hamlet, which was something he and his parents looked forward to each week, he said,

During the interview, Abdul Hakim told me about his most favourite films from India. His absolute favourite was a movie called, ‘Ann’ which starred Dillip Kumar. In the 60’s, Dillip Kumar was his favourite hero, which is why he probably watched this film at least 20 times at the cinema.

As he turned into a teenager, Abdul Hakim, saw shifts in lifestyle. By the mid 70’s technological changes meant they could access these Indian and Pakistani movies from the comfort of their own homes.

Watch this clip in which Abdul Hakim tells us how he was one of the first people to own a VCR in his circle of friends and relatives.

He went on to tell me owning the VCR and a colour television meant friends and relatives would come over more regularly and they would all sit together to watch these films over dinner and snacks. Though, the Sunday cinema was still a popular time to go out for his family because it took time for the newer films from India to be released onto cassette. Abdul Hakim also loved going to watch live shows where Indian and Pakistani singers and actors would perform in Newham’s venues. His most fond memory was of watching Muhammad Rafi, a famous singer, who had sung for many popular Bollywood movies, perform at the Royal Albert Hall in 1978.

So, for Abdul Hakim and his family, Indian cinema played a huge role in keeping them connected to their cultural heritage. I am glad the local council and cinemas offered them the facilities to access these movies and find joy in this form of entertainment. For all of the South Asian diaspora in Newham this was very important for their mental and physical well-being.

The next clip highlights some of the racism Abdul Hakim experienced when he was at secondary school.

Despite the hard times of discrimination, racism and fear, Abdul Hakim went on to college to study software and electronic engineering. He had a keen interest in the mechanics of televisions and I wonder if that was an extension of his love for the big screen.

In 1976, Abdul Hakim went back to Pakistan to get married to Naseem Begum. 

Today, Abdul Hakim is a successful business man and owns his own Supermarket in Hackney. He told me he would never dream of leaving Newham. He loves his neighbourhood and all that Newham has to offer. He also told me of the time, he was a local councillor for Newham Council in the 90’s and how he is a popular resident of East Ham with many friends.

Abdul Hakim now spends much time with his grandchildren. His five children have all grown up, and he is a doting grandparent to thirteen children. His eldest grandchild has recently gotten engaged!

So, the diaspora lives on and so do the stories connected with Abdul Hakim.