Chicago Roundup
Muslim Society Inc. (MSI) of Glendale Heights Organizes Neighbors Appreciation Day . Pakistan Independence Day Festival in Bolingbrook Attracts Thousands . Pakistan Independence Day Parade Committee of Chicago Hosts Reception . Qur’an Study Club of Niles West Organized Community BBQ . Launching of Dr. Aqeel Athar’s Book at Arbab-e-Urdu Literary Meeting
By Dr Mujahid Ghazi
Muslim Society Inc. (MSI) of Glendale Heights Organizes Neighbors Appreciation Day
Glendale Heights, July 21 st, 2011: MSI, the Islamic Center of Glendale Heights hosted a Neighbors Appreciation Day last Thursday to recognize the cooperation of the people of other faiths residing in close proximity of the mosque. The program started with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an and its translation by Imam Jawad. Mohammed Misbahuddin, the president of MSI, welcomed the guests and appreciated their cooperation. He gave a brief history of the center. He commended the village officials and the police of Glendale Heights for their continued support of the center and service to the community at large.
Mayor Linda Jackson who is very famous among the Muslim Americans living in Glendale Heights praised the efforts of MSI in increasing the awareness among the local residents and participation in the local activities. Ex-President of MSI Mohammed Dhedhi also spoke on the occasion.
The program was emceed by Mohsin Bhalli who did a great job in keeping the program brief and sweet.
Pakistan Independence Day Festival in Bolingbrook Attracts Thousands
Chicago; July 23 rd, 2011: Thousands of Pakistani Americans gathered in Bolingbrook Illinois last Saturday to celebrate the 64 th Independence Day of Pakistan and 20 th Anniversary of the Association of Pakistani Americans and Flag Hoisting Ceremony. Many dignitaries from around Greater Chicago attended the festivity which started with the hoisting of the Pakistani flag.
The main attraction of the program was famous Pakistani singer Raheem Shah who came all the way from Pakistan to perform at this event. Local talents also performed on the occasion. There was also a bazaar with clothing, jewelry, food and information booths on display. Mir Ali masterly emceed the program. There was also a raffle for all range of gift items from air line tickets from Etehad Airlines to dinner certificates from Italian, Sabri and Bismillah Restaurants. Mr. Talat Rasheed, who was the Best of Bolingbrook Award this year, is the founder of AMA Bolingbrook. It is due to his consistent efforts that have brought the Independence Day festival to this level in Bolingbrook. People from as far as Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan came to join the Pakistani American community in BB celebrating the Independence Day of Pakistan. About 40 awards were also given to the supporters and sponsors of the event.
Pakistan Independence Day Parade Committee of Chicago Hosts Reception
Chicago; July 24 th, 2011: Members of the pioneering parade committee hosted a reception at Lahore Restaurant in Chicago. Famous singer Raheem Shah was the Chief Guest. Mr. Said Umer Khan welcomed the guests and gave a brief history of the Parade Committee. He said that this reception was organized before Ramadan to celebrate the independence of Pakistan. He also asked the elected officials to play their role in stopping drone attacks on innocent civilians in the KPK and FATA regions of Pakistan. This scribe was invited to speak about the history of Pakistan. Mr. Anjum Gohar praised Raheem Shah for his remarkable talent and patriotism. Aurelia Pucinski, Judge of the Appellate Court, congratulated the Pakistani American community on the 64 th Independence Day of Pakistan.
Long time friend of Pakistani Americans Alderman Joe Moore said the American people don’t endorse drone attacks. He said being the chairman of City Council Committee on Human Relations he will welcome any resolution in this regard.
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky talked about the diversity which the residents of her electoral constituency present. She said it is the most diversified district in the US. She praised the achievements of Pakistani Americans in the US. She congratulated the community on the occasion of the Pakistani Independence Day. She was wearing a blue Pakistani sharara with matching top and dopatta.
Barbara Moore, wife of Joe Moore also spoke on the occasion and asked the community to support her in the coming elections for commissioner of Water Reclamation Board.
Qur’an Study Club of Niles West Organized Community BBQ
Chicago; July 23 rd, 2011: Students from the Qur’an Study Club at Niles West High School organized a community BBQ in the premises of MEC in Morton Grove. In spite of scorching heat a good number of community members showed up to support the Muslim Club which organizes Juma Prayers and Islamic lectures in the school. QS is one of the oldest and pioneering student bodies in the country which works to promote Qur’an and Islamic environment for the Muslim students during their academic year.
Launching of Dr. Aqeel Athar’s Book at Arbab-e-Urdu Literary Meeting
Schaumburg, July 24 th, 2011: Dr. Aqeel Athar’s book “Gulshan Sey Veeraney Tuck” was launched last Sunday at the Schaumburg Library during the monthly literary meeting of Arbab-e-Urdu. It is a collection of short stories (Afsaney). Dr. Sadiq Naqvi, this scribe and the president of the launching session Dr. Muzafferuddin Farooqui spoke about various aspects of the book. The author read excerpts from the book and shed light on the various periods of his life when these stories were written and discussed the motivation behind them.
During the first segment of the Literary Meeting, Shah Naeemuddin, Khursheed Khizr, this scribe and Mr. Hashmat Sohail read their poems.
In the ‘Jawan Johar’ segment young cricketers Saad Bungash, Jehanzeb Siddiqi and Muddassir Siddiqi shed light on the present and future of cricket in America.
In the ‘Hasil-e-Muta’ala’ segment Syed Wasiuddin discussed the book ‘Chicago Mein Urdu’. This book is a brief biography of the poets and writers in Chicago authored by Prof. Mir Turab Ali. Dr. Khursheed Khizr read a poem praising the book.
During ‘Iqbal Fehmi’ session Dr. Muzzaferuddin Farooqui talked about the poem Khartaba by Allam Iqbal.
As usual Amin Haider conducted the whole meeting single-handedly with masterly skills.
Northwest Suburban College Celebrates First Cultural Night
Chicago, July 23 rd, 2011: Northwest Suburban College celebrated the first cultural night at Monty's Banquet Hall last Saturday. The program was well attended by folks of different walks of life such as literary, music lovers and Sufi poetry fans. "It was a fete", according to Dr. Rooma Gurg. It was the Sufi music at its best and a reminder of great maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Bilal Chishti also known as Dhruv Sangari - a young man from New Delhi who started learning music at the age of 7 and developed a passion for Sufi Music by the age of 13, enthralled the audience with his self-immersed rendering of the greats such as Ameer Khusro, Kabir Daas, Bulle Shah and others. The program was arranged at a short notice of two weeks by diverting Mr. Sangari from returning to India, according to Rashid Salam, the main organizer and the Administrator of the College. Naheed Ali Niazee, daughter of Dr. M. T. Ali Niazee, the founder of the College, introduced the mission and vision of Northwest Suburban College. Dr. Khalid Sami, Chairman of the Board of Regents, thanked the audience and the volunteers for managing a great event with grand success.
Northwest Suburban College is located in Rolling Meadows and offers accelerated Pre-Medical program and also short-term, jobs-oriented certificate programs. The college can be reached at (847) 290-6425
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