Bakhtawar Bibi lives in the village of Paharpur in District Dera Ismail Khan, a place where old traditions still shape daily life. The village is surrounded by fields, and people know each other very well. The society has long been male dominated, and even now many women speak less and stay within limited spaces. Muslims are in a large majority, but Hindus and Christians also live there, just as they did before 1947 before the partition.
Women in the village have a history of weak communication. Many of the older women hold firm and very old beliefs. They often feel that their religion is the best and others are wrong or less important. Muslim women usually believe their religion, values, customs, modesty, festivals, and family life are the finest. Hindu and Christian women also think their traditions are strong. Still, Muslim confidence in being the ideal group remains the strongest.
Every year, a Hindu festival takes place at Kafir Kot. It brings people from nearby areas, far-off cities, and even other countries. Kafir Kot is known for its ancient Hindu temple, built almost 1400 years ago during the time of the Maharajas. On festival days, women from all communities gather there. This tradition started long ago and still continues.
On such a day, groups of Muslim women stand together and talk about Eid ul Fitr, Eid ul Adha, fasting in Ramadan, zakat, hijab, and their cultural pride. Hindu women talk about Ekadashi, Navratri, Diwali, their colourful sari, and their long-standing customs. The discussion grows louder and each group tries to show its religion is greater and more meaningful.
Bakhtawar Bibi was listening to this from a short distance. She has always been thoughtful, and as a student she tries to understand before she speaks. After some time, she steps forward and asks everyone to listen to her with respect.
She speaks in a very good manner and requests that they have spoken enough about differences. She says that both communities value family life, respect elders, and hold their marriages as sacred. She explains that both religions practise fasting. Muslims practice fasting in Ramadan and Hindus in Ekadashi or Navratri. She adds that Muslims give zakat to the poor while Hindus practise seva to help those in need.
Bakhtawar also talks about greetings. Muslims say Assalamu alaykum while Hindus say Namaste. Hindu families touch the feet of elders to receive blessings, while Muslim families use Adaab or place a hand over the heart to show respect. She says both cultures avoid giving direct refusal because they care about harmony and izzat. She says to them that both believe guests are a blessing. Mehmaan nawazi in Muslim homes and Atithi Devo Bhava in Hindu homes are common and they treat the guests very well. Offering food again and again is common in both.
Then she asks them why they choose to focus on what separates them instead of what they share. She says unity gives more strength to their village than any argument about superiority.
The women, educated and less educated, listen carefully and agree with her.
By the end of the festival, they see each other and praise Bakhtawar Bibi for teaching them a valuable lesson. They walk to the temple together. The Muslim women do not pray there but show mass respect. Later, the Hindu women visit Muslim shrines and honour them.
People praise Bakhtawar Bibi and her words that she spoke once on the festival day. It showed a feeling of togetherness and acceptance.