by Hania, age 9 from Islamabad, Pakistan, asks Santa about Christmas KD 4 sneakers, the Margalla Hills, and December 25th as a public holiday in Pakistan.
Dear Santa, my name is Hania, and I am nine years old. I live in Islamabad, Pakistan, where my nani says our city was actually planned and built new, starting only around the 1960s, unlike most old capital cities.
Dear Hania, a carefully planned capital city is a rare treat on my whole route, your nani picked a wonderfully tidy, thoughtfully designed hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Do you have Christmas KD 4? My cousin wants a pair of special holiday sneakers but nobody in my family knows exactly what he means.
I am not entirely sure about that specific pair myself, Hania, sneaker releases change so quickly these days that even I struggle to keep up. Your cousin’s best bet is probably checking with a local shop closer to the holidays.
My teacher says Islamabad sits right at the base of some hills called the Margalla Hills. Is that true?
It is true, Hania, the Margalla Hills rise gently at the edge of your city, green and calm against the skyline. I always enjoy that peaceful backdrop on my way to your rooftop.
My nani says December 25th is actually a public holiday in Pakistan, partly because it is also the birthday of an important historical leader. Is that true?
It is true, Hania, December 25th is a public holiday in Pakistan, honoring the birthday of the country’s founder, and it also happens to be Christmas Day, celebrated by Pakistan’s Christian community. Two meaningful reasons to mark the same date is a rather lovely coincidence.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Hania Malik
Islamabad, Pakistan
P.S. Will you help my cousin find those sneakers anyway?
I will point him toward a good local shop, Hania, that is about the best I can promise on short notice.
