In a world often divided by fear and mistrust, hospitality remains a quiet, enduring revolution
- Sindhi hospitality, rooted in love, tradition, and honor, offers the world a glowing example of what it means to be open-hearted
- Hospitality is one of the most powerful expressions of our shared humanity. It transcends language, religion, borders, and class
By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
In many cultures, a guest is not just welcomed—they are revered. “A guest is a blessing from God” is not merely a phrase; it is a living principle in homes across the world. Hospitality is one of the most ancient and universal human values, and in our increasingly divided and digital world, it has become more relevant than ever. Whether practiced in tribal deserts, bustling metropolises, or remote villages, the act of opening one’s door to a traveler or stranger represents hope, trust, and shared humanity. This article journeys through the international expressions of hospitality—interwoven with personal stories from Iceland to Morocco—and places a special lens on the deeply rooted and soulfully practiced hospitality of the Sindhi people.
Hospitality in the Global Context: A Universal Gesture with Local Flavors
Hospitality is more than comfort and care. It is a reflection of how a society treats the “other.” Across continents, it takes on unique forms—yet the essence remains the same. In Italy, hospitality might be expressed through a three-hour dinner of local dishes and wine. In Japan, it is ritualized through precise gestures of respect and service. In Morocco, it means sweet mint tea served in elaborately decorated glasses, a symbol of warmth and welcome.
From diplomatic state visits to simple homestays, hospitality also functions on a broader stage, shaping tourism, guiding ethics in service industries, and even playing roles in peace-building. It demands awareness of cultural sensitivities, respect for difference, and attention to human dignity.
My Personal Journey with Global Hospitality
Having had the privilege to travel extensively, I have experienced firsthand the beauty of global hospitality. From being warmly received by friends in Iceland, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, Iran, and France, to sharing stories over home-cooked meals in Italy, Australia, and Morocco, the generosity of hosts across the world has left a lasting impact on me. These were not just stays—they were invitations into people’s lives, their kitchens, their laughter, and their stories. In Pakistan, too, I’ve been welcomed into homes where tea is never served alone—it’s accompanied by a plate of empathy, pride, and heartfelt connection.
Each experience reminded me that hospitality is a universal language—one spoken without translation, understood across borders, and felt in the heart.
Sindhi Hospitality: A Tradition of the Heart
Among the most enduring traditions of hospitality I’ve encountered is that of the Sindhi people. In Sindh, hospitality is not an act of obligation—it is a source of pride and identity. Guests are received like royalty, often with Ajrak—a block-printed traditional shawl—and the Sindhi Topi, symbols of immense honor and respect. These tokens are not merely decorative; they embody centuries of culture, heritage, and the Sindhi philosophy of mehmaan-nawazi (guest reverence).
When Sindhis welcome a guest, they often greet them with joined palms, fingertips pointing upward, and the word “Sain” spoken with heartfelt warmth. This one word—“Sain”—carries with it the weight of respect, honor, and reverence. It’s not just a greeting; it’s a recognition of the guest’s value. Whether spoken to elders, travelers, or strangers, “Sain” is a cultural embrace, as sacred as the food served or the khaat / charpai offered for rest.
From offering freshly prepared saag and bajhri/ kanrk/ joer ji mani to insisting guests take the best spot on the khat / charpai under the shade of a nim tree, hospitality here is a full-sensory, emotionally sincere experience. Even those with little to spare will serve generously, believing that guests carry blessings and spiritual merit.
Sindhi Hospitality Abroad: A Global Tradition in Motion
What’s remarkable is that Sindhi hospitality is not limited to geographical Sindh. Whether living in Moro, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas, Ghotki, Mithi, Karachi, Dubai, Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East, or North America, Sindhis carry their culture of warmth wherever they go. I’ve seen Sindhis abroad organizing dinners, opening their homes to visiting friends and strangers alike, sharing traditional dishes like Sindhi Biryani and khirni, and even presenting Ajrak or Sindhi Topis during international cultural gatherings.
Even in the digital age, when travel and distance are bridged by screens, Sindhis are known for real-time virtual hospitality—inviting people to online mehfils, sending food via delivery to others in different cities, and celebrating moments of connection with sincerity. For many of us, a Zoom gathering with tea in hand still holds the energy of a real bethak.
Hospitality’s Many Roles: From Culture to Diplomacy
Whether in a Sindhi village or a Parisian apartment, hospitality performs multiple societal functions:
- Cultural Preservation: Hospitality showcases and protects the customs, cuisine, language, and traditions of a people.
- Tourism and Identity: For countries and regions, hospitality is crucial in shaping national identity and reputation.
- Diplomacy and Trust: From state banquets to community exchanges, hospitality lays the groundwork for peace and dialogue.
- Humanizing the Other: Welcoming someone from another place or background can challenge stereotypes and build empathy.
- Community Strength: Hosting guests brings people together, reinforcing community values of cooperation, sharing, and responsibility.
The Shadows of Generosity: Challenges of Hospitality
Yet, hospitality is not without its dilemmas. In the global hospitality industry, genuine care can sometimes be replaced by superficial service driven by profit. Workers may be overburdened and underpaid, while cultural experiences are packaged and commodified.
In the Sindhi context, the intense cultural pressure to be hospitable, sometimes beyond one’s financial capacity, can create stress and social imbalance. Families may overextend themselves to host weddings, Eid guests, or travelers from afar, driven by social expectations rather than affordability. Additionally, hospitality in tight-knit communities may clash with changing values around privacy, boundaries, and personal space.
Hospitality in the Digital Era: Changing, Not Disappearing
In the era of platforms like Airbnb, Couchsurfing, and Zoom, hospitality is taking new forms. Technology allows strangers to connect and cultures to be shared across distances. Yet the soul of hospitality—offering without expectation, welcoming with humility—must remain intact. Whether it’s a traditional bethak in a Sindhi home or a shared kitchen in Barcelona, the heart of hospitality is timeless.
Welcoming the World with Wisdom
Hospitality is one of the most powerful expressions of our shared humanity. It transcends language, religion, borders, and class. It is a bridge between people, between histories, and between futures. My own journey—from the snow-covered warmth of Icelandic homes to the spice-filled kitchens of Sindh—has shown me that hospitality is not about perfection or luxury. It is about the willingness to open one’s door and say, “You are welcome here.”
Sindhi hospitality, rooted in love, tradition, and honor, offers the world a glowing example of what it means to be open-hearted. But like any powerful force, it must be practiced with awareness—balancing tradition with mindfulness, generosity with sustainability, and pride with compassion.
In a world often divided by fear and mistrust, hospitality remains a quiet, enduring revolution—one that begins not with policy or technology, but with a warm smile, an Ajrak-draped shoulder, joined palms, and the sacred word: “Sain.”
Read: Timeless Principles of Power
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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
