Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

The story of connecting with Urdu in Australia: the journey of a mother and her Australian-born daughter

3f381228-3534-4946-ace5-1e353f880419.jfif

Huma Shami and her daughter Aroush Ahmad Credit: Huma Shami

For the new generation born in Australia, staying connected to their mother tongue and cultural roots is both a challenge and a beautiful journey. In today’s special podcast, we introduce you to a mother and daughter who have not only made this journey possible, but have also turned it into a joyful tradition.


We’re joined by Aroosh Ahmed, who was born in Australia, yet her command of the Urdu language is truly impressive - and her mother, Huma Shami, who nurtured a home environment where the language was not only spoken, but deeply felt.

Together, this mother-daughter duo reads Urdu stories, keeps the language alive in everyday conversations, and during their recent first visit to Pakistan, Aroosh amazed everyone with how fluently she spoke Urdu.

Today, we’ll explore how all of this became possible. How can small daily habits at home lay the foundation for a strong cultural identity? And what practical activities can help children growing up abroad stay connected to their language and heritage?

_______________
Listen Wednesday or Friday program at this link
Our SBS Audio app is available for Apple and Android devices.

Share

Follow SBS Urdu

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

Urdu News

Watch now