Brampton residents react to India-Pakistan conflict: 'We focus more on what unites us'
'If we can coexist here together, they can coexist over there,' resident says
Some residents in Brampton who are from India and Pakistan say they are concerned for their relatives back home as tensions soar between the two countries.
Married couple Sadaf Iqbal, who is from Pakistan, and Harman Singh, who is from India, say they have put plans to visit India on hold after the country said all visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be revoked.
While their families are safe now, "of course it can escalate, so they are really worried about it," Iqbal said.
The couple, who have three children, have visited India several times. They were planning a trip to Pakistan in the next two years, but that has now been cancelled as well in light of recent exchanges between the two countries.
India fired missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory in several locations early Wednesday, killing dozens in what Pakistan's leader called an act of war. India also claims there are casualties from Pakistani fire in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.
India said it was striking infrastructure used by militants linked to a massacre of tourists last month in its portion of Kashmir. At least seven people died in Indian-controlled Kashmir from artillery exchanges.
Pakistan said at least 26 people died in the missile strikes and five from artillery exchanges along the Line of Control that separates the two countries in the contested Kashmir region.
Canada has issued travel advisories for India and Pakistan, warning people to exercise "a high degree of caution" and saying all travel should be avoided in certain areas.
Iqbal and Singh said they have friends from both countries, and they all come together in Brampton to celebrate each other's cultural festivals.
Over 27 per cent of Brampton's population is from India, according to 2021 census data, while almost 4 per cent of residents are from Pakistan.
"We really need to leave our stuff behind [in] the past and really focus on the future," Iqbal said. "That's how peace is going to come."
She said she was welcomed with open arms by her husband's family, which is part of the reason why they've visited India so many times.
"When I married him, I never looked at him as, he's Sikh or he's from India," she said. "It was just more about, we love each other."
"Our kids, they don't know the religion difference, but they know it's just about love."
Residents connect playing for Brampton cricket club
Meanwhile the owner of the Brampton Raiders, a cricket club in the city, said the sport is a way to unite people of all nationalities.
"We have people [from] every religion, every country and they all get along really well," said Kevin Bhathal.
Bhathal, who is from India, said players don't talk about tensions between India and Pakistan.
"We come as a team, we play as a team, we represent the team," he said. "We don't represent any country, we don't represent any religion."
He added, "If we can coexist here together, they can coexist over there, too."
Ehtisham Tahir, whose family is from Pakistan, is a manager for the club. He says residents in Brampton created an "exemplary community" that doesn't concentrate on their differences.
"Canada as a whole has been this melting pot. We all come from different backgrounds and origins, and we focus more on what unites us," he said.
"Rather than talking about religion, we're talking about what is at the core of our humanity."
Tahir said he is hoping for a quick and peaceful resolution.
"I don't think any of us wants to see innocent lives being wasted on either side of the border," he said.
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With files from Dale Manucdoc and The Associated Press