I get asked questions like "A friend is being forced to do this religious thing in Pakistan, how can she run away and leave the country?"
Like guys. Stop. Running away isn't going to solve everything. [thread]
Like guys. Stop. Running away isn't going to solve everything. [thread]
Leaving your country and becoming a refugee is no fucking joke. Don't take it lightly. If your situation is that bad, that you truly cannot cope, then you might want to throw it all to the wind and run. But otherwise, try to make it work. Talk to your parents.
For 80% of cases, I don't advise telling your parents that you don't believe in Islam. Don't do it. It can have severe consequences. But do tell them that you dont want to do certain things, especially if they are optional. Learn about boundaries.
If you have no choice, and they force you to say read Quran, then read the damn Quran. It's a small price to pay for having food and shelter and a family to take care of you.
If on the other hand they are forcing your hand into an arranged marriage to your cousin that you are not happy about, then you need to get help. I can't advise you as I'm not part of that culture, but there may be ways to delay or get out of that marriage without running off.
Do not underestimate how difficult it is to run away from home, even in Canada or America. It's no joke. You cannot imagine just how painful this experience can be. Sometimes you are better off, but please, this needs to be carefully thought out and planned.
There's this really heart warming story here of Zara who ran away from home and ended up better off. But she was an adult by this point. She wasn't a kid. And she had the support of the government. If you are in Pakistan, this won't happen.
I'm not saying by any means you need to stay in an abusive household. But I'm saying plan it carefully, be strong and have intention to work hard and make yourself self-sustaining so you can leave and not depend on others.
You want out of your Islamic household or country? Learn useful skills whether its coding, or business, or teaching, or whatever! But learn useful practical monetizable skills that will make you money.
Learn the religion enough to counter them. Learn hadith that you can use ie tying your camel. Tell them you want to have ihsan in everything you do. Sincerely be a good child and make them happy. Learn what buttons to push and what they want from you.
If you can work the family situation, that is far better than leaving, until you are strong enough. But be strategic, don't let them stop you from studying and learning so that eventually you will be able to be independent. If you have to tolerate some islamic rituals, so be it.
Here's a video I made on the topic
And sorry to say, I'm the worst person to ask about immigration. I have no idea. :(
