Today is a very special day. It’s the Prophet’s birthday. That’s why at the centre we women are singing songs. Some we know by heart. Some we write down. They’re songs about the prophet. About what he did. His work. We learnt them from our family. We were brought up like this. We celebrate all month. Like you do for Christmas we have a special meal. Today I pay for the meal. We don’t go to a restaurant. Here at the centre we have a special curry for lunch with meat and rice and potatoes. And then rice pudding. At home in Pakistan we had special lights to celebrate. Here it’s hard to find an electrician to help me put them up.

My faith is very important to me. I pray five times a day. Short prayers. My husband used to tell one story a day from the Koran to the children. There are stories about Jesus and Moses. And now we talk about our faith to our grandchildren. So when people ask questions they can explain their faith. Some women go to the Mosque on Friday. They sit separate from the men. I go three days a week. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

I came to England in 1974. Nice people! First thing I like is, when traffic going, no sound! In Pakistan so much noise from cars. Peep peep peep! In England much quieter. Also I like the queue when you go to bus. In Pakistan the strong people push you out of the way.

We had an English neighbour. We looked after her and our children called her Mum. When she died in her will she left us a sofa. As we didn’t need it we gave it to charity.

My husband and I ran a shop for 27 years. English vegetables, off licence and newspapers. But when they blocked the end of the road we lost the passing trade. It was difficult to pay off the mortgage. And then my husband had a heart attack so we closed the shop.

My children are all educated. My son is a police man and my daughter is a doctor. And I have grandchildren in the flat below mine. I am happy.