The project fitted perfectly into the research on the theory of stereotypes and prejudices as determinants of socio-political behaviour, which I have been implementing in my scientific work so far
– says Natalia Zajączkowska and adds:
Its innovation consists in the fact that up till now no field research on the perceptions of the Hindu minority has been conducted there. It is also an attempt to verify the widespread conviction that the condition of Hindu-Muslim relations is poor. The results of my research will serve as an inducement for further discussion on the socio-political relations in modern Pakistan.
The undoubted advantage of the research was its highly empirical nature – for the entire duration of the grant, the doctoral student was living with Pakistani families, which allowed her to actively participate in the daily life of the respondents. She travelled by local means of transport, read the local press, visited libraries, and made contact with professors of local universities. She took part in both daily housework and numerous family celebrations, which over time allowed her to communicate freely in Urdu. Thanks to this, she had the chance to establish unusual relationships, learn about the problems of her interlocutors and understand their point of view better. The culmination of the stay was her participation in a traditional Muslim wedding, which lasted nearly a week. During the wedding Natalia Zajączkowska got to know Pakistani customs and took an active part in all ceremonies (see: wedding photos).
The study was conducted in English and Urdu on a group of 50 people in three cities in north-east Pakistan – Islamabad, Lahore and Sialkot. It is a kind of study continuation that the doctoral student started in 2018 on the other side of the Indian-Pakistan border. At that time, she spent more than half a year in total in the village of Kokamthan in India, in the northwestern state of Maharashtra studying Hindu-Muslim relations. Then, under the PROM programme (NAWA), she went to Jawaharlala Nehru University in New Delhi to continue her research on the perception of the Muslim minority by the Hindu majority and the political dimension of Islamophobia in India.
Staying in Pakistan within the doctoral grant provided by the Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz was a unique opportunity for me to gain invaluable experience, expand my knowledge and scope of research, but also to dispel the hurtful stereotypes and ideas about Pakistan. The country – often demonised by Western media – remains a niche area in Polish social sciences and humanities
– adds Natalia Zajączkowska.
The knowledge and experience she gained as part of the research will result in the publication of the article in a prestigious scientific journal in the next academic year.
The photos courtesy of Shaheera Naeem and Farhan Ijaz. Sialkot, Pakistan.
Source: Natalia Zajączkowska (Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz)
Edit: Promotion Centre, University of Lodz