Faces of Conflict: Pakistani Kirkwood student aims to learn, then return home

Although Adil Imran has found a lot to love about the United States — its people, educational opportunities and judicial system — he doesn't intend to stay.

That's because while the 27-year-old Pakistani national studies public safety and political science on the quiet Kirkwood Community College campus in Cedar Rapids, his people are living an existence rife with risk, chaos and fear.

His family lives in a city just 12 kilometers from the Indian border — near the Kashmir region that has been a hotbed for war, ongoing violence and terrorism. And they daily face the threat of attacks from the Indian army, Imran said.

'The Indian army is just fighting on them,' he said. 'They kill their cattle, kill their people — innocent children even. Sometimes the people are doing their religious activities in the mosque, and they shell mortars on the mosque and on their houses. People are sleeping inside their houses, and they don't know — 'What is going (on)? Why are they killing us?''

And Imran said he wants peace. He wants change. He wants to be the change. And he believes it's possible. That's why he came to Kirkwood in July 2015 on a scholarship-backed cultural exchange program.

'If you've got education, you can do anything in the world,' he said.

A few months ago, Imran said he visited the United Nations and heard his calling.

'I wish that I could work there and work for the whole world and the humanity,' he said. 'The people of Pakistan, they want peace. We are determined for peace.'

Obstacles exist, though. Imran was a type of journalist back home. He was fearless in his convictions. And that brought threats against his life and his family.

'I want to go back, obviously,' he said. 'But if someone is going to threaten like that … if I have threats on my life …

. But I wish I could go back. I want to serve my own country.'

Disputes over the Kashmir region — near Imran's home — have sparked two major Indo-Pakistani wars, in 1947 and 1965, along with a smaller conflict in 1999, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Both countries since then regularly have exchanged border fire, despite a 'fragile' cease-fire in place since 2003.

And violence has escalated more recently, with infiltration from terrorist groups further threatening the region. In December 2014 — just months before Imran's planned stint to Iowa — Pakistan saw its deadliest terrorist attack in history when seven gunmen entered a school in Peshawar, northwest of Imran's city, and open fire on staff and children.

More than 140 people died in the attacks, including 132 schoolchildren ages 8 to 18. A short time later, in August 2015, a home minister in the Punjab province of Pakistan died in a suicide attack — along with 16 others.

Country ties to Faces of Conflict

*Source: Council on Foreign Relations. Other country profile information from CIA World Factbook. Map by John McGlothlen / The Gazette

Before coming to the United States, Imran voiced his outrage for such senseless violence through his work with an international human rights organization. He would write articles, among other things.

'I just write that we want peace,' he said. 'But some people attacked me personally.'

They threatened his life. They threatened his family. And, in similar cases, Imran said he's seen those types of threats materialize.

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'The bad guys, they can do anything,' he said.

They take counter-speech and protest seriously.

'They don't like the persons who say that you are doing wrong,' Imran said. 'They don't want to listen. They say, 'You are liberal.' …

But I just want freedom for everyone. I want freedom of speech.'

Those liberties are among the U.S. virtues Imran praises and wants to take home. But there are many more, he said. Pakistan has health care woes and literacy deficiencies. It has different education systems for different classes of people.

'We have so many problems,' Imran said.

Many Pakistani nationals feel the same way about the United States, according to Imran.

'After 9/11, Pakistan was the biggest ally of the United States,' he said. 'My country and my army and my people sacrificed more than 40,000 people in our country in terrorism attacks.'

His venue for support has been through writing and reporting and a pursuit of an American education with the goal of returning home. And, Imran said, he won't let threats keep him away.

'We are a brave country and a brave people,' he said. 'We will speak loudly for the rights and the justice. If people are doing anything wrong, we will condemn. They are not among us. They are not human even.'

But the United States is not perfect, he said, pointing to political divisiveness playing out this campaign season. And it's certainly different culturally.

Imran said he's used to family members — all of them — living in one house together. Grandparents, parents, grown children, and their children live more communally. Marriages are arranged.

Food is home-cooked with fresh vegetables and spices. Life is slower.

'Everyone is so busy here,' he said. 'Life is so fast.'

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That's not necessarily a bad thing — especially for someone like Imran, who has big aspirations.

'One thing I like best about the United States is people are so hard working,' he said. 'They are committed. They are so punctual.'

And especially in Iowa, Imran said, people are so kind. They allow the freedom to make mistakes and ask awkward questions.

'Teachers appreciate you and encourage you to work hard,' he said. 'Then you start working hard because they are so appreciating you.'

When he first arrived at Kirkwood, an adviser warned him about walking at night. And he heeded that call to caution.

'But after one year, I realize it's totally safe,' Imran said. 'There is no problem for anyone here.'

'One thing I like best about the United States is people are so hard working. They are committed. They are so punctual.'

Security officers will even quiet loud apartment neighbors. And that level of security is reassuring and rare in the world, Imran said. It's why he's studying public safety. Pakistan needs help addressing not only man-made threats, but natural threats such as floods and earthquakes.

'In our country, nobody has a focus on this field,' he said. 'Universities are not getting you degrees in this field. But there is a lot of need of knowledge and awareness in this field. And that is why I chose this field.'

Improving Pakistan's emergency response capabilities would change a lot, he said.

'I hope that I can go back and I can implement these things, and I can train other people,' Imran said. 'They can learn from me.

'Not only for my country. I can go to other countries and serve the public and humanity. This is my aim.'

But Imran said he isn't waiting until his return home to make a difference. He's doing it now by infusing his cherished Pakistani values into every Iowa relationship he forges. That includes friends, teachers and a host family that has taken him in 'like I'm their own son.'

'Your love is not only for your blood relations,' he said. 'If someone loves you, he is more than your brother. He is more than your sister. He is more than your parents.

'Love is love. It is not different between a parent's love and a friend's.'