Gora

The Urdu word “Gora” literally means “white man” in English. Its feminine counterpart “gori” means a white woman. The word is commonly and quite frequently used to refer to an average white person of a Western origin. Particularly, it is used to refer to European and American white men. But it would not be an exaggeration to include people from other racial backgrounds, like the Chinese and the Japanese, to form a generalization. In short, the word gora can be used to refer to a person belonging to any of the advanced countries. In a literal sense it is used to refer to a white man of Caucasian background.  

It is not uncommon to hear mentions of gora in normal everyday discussions in Pakistan. Gora did this, gora did that. Gora is a genius. Gora is creative. Gora has better laws in his country. Gora has better values. Gora is humane. Gora is humble. Gora is funny. Gora is fun. Gora is simple. Gora is honest. Gora is innocent. Gora’s science. Gora’s research. Gora’s technology. Gora’s ideas. Gora is not jealous. Gora is not wicked. Gora’s this and gora’s that. Indeed, gora can sometimes be discussed in Pakistan like  the way shrimps were cherished by Bubba in Forrest Gump.  

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the gora has earned this good reputation and respect among the Muslim societies due to his/her superior character of the personality. Gora can be discussed in many diverse circles and places, ranging from markets to mosques. Indeed, many Muslims believe that should the gora recite the testimony of purity and convert to Islam, he/she would be a better Muslim than them already. Muslims claim to have with them a code of the most supreme morality in the form of Quran and Sunnah. It is a pity that the values of Quran and Sunnah are not practiced by the Muslims as the way they should be. They, nonetheless, find a practical implementation of these values in the life of a gora. Muslims, however, appreciate this strength of character.