Independence Day Celebration in Los Angeles
By Ashraf Ali
President
Pakistani American Arts Council
Los Angeles, CA

We were very disappointed the way the Pakistan Independence Day was celebrated in Los Angeles, California, on August 6, ‘05. It was the worst program we have witnessed in the past 35 years. As President of the Pakistani American Arts Council I urge the community leaders not to let this happen again.

*****

By Kamal Zafar
LA

The purpose of celebrating the Pakistan Independence Day is to acquaint the younger generation with our history, values and culture. This was done in the last 15 years with a considerable degree of success.
This year’s celebration in Los Angeles, however, was a great disappointment. Starting with $ 8 parking fee, the mandatory donation of $5 per person was confounding. The body search left a bad taste in the mouth. The experience within the coliseum was hardly any different. The older people who came with their hearts overflowing with love for Pakistan could not make it to the ground level, and if they did, they could not make it to the washrooms. They were helplessly perched in the coliseum. Almost all Pakistani restaurants boycotted the function as they found participation too pricey.
Things could have been arranged better, especially as the Consulate General was actively associated in arranging the program. The officials should have objected to some of the arrangements and should have also ensured that a true picture of our history and culture was presented on the all-important day.


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Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
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