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August 5th, 2024

Wānaka, New Zealand

Sajjad and Shabna

 

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I had the pleasure of meeting Sajjad and Shabna, a lovely couple from India, Amroha, near New Delhi, who have recently settled in New Zealand. 

 

Sajjad is a talented chef at the Spice Room Restaurant in Wānaka. He has been living in New Zealand for 17 months. He previously worked as a chef in Japan for six years. I had the opportunity to taste his naan bread, and it was, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever had.

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Shabna, who has been in New Zealand for a year and in Wānaka for the past eight weeks, is a skilled seamstress with a Master’s degree in Art in Urdu Language. Although she is relatively new to this community, she has quickly embraced it.

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Both Sajjad and Shabna have found great joy in their new community. They enjoy the natural beauty and mountains of New Zealand and appreciate the warmth and friendliness of the locals. They mention how much they appreciate the community’s genuine interest in them, particularly how people regularly ask how they are doing—something I also enjoy very much.

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To improve their English, Sajjad and Shabna attend a weekly English class organized by the Wānaka Community Hub. Improving their English helps them in their communication with colleagues and the locals of Wānaka.

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Every Friday, Sajjad leads a group reading of the Quran, usually hosted in someone’s home. 

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