Pakistani Community Celebrates 4th of July with Great Fervor
By Akhtar M. Faruqui
Pictures by Yousuf Keekeebhai, Anwar Khawaja, and Basit Khan
Oh say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last ...
Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave.
The stirring lines echoed in the sprawling banquet hall as the overflowing Pakistani-American assemblage joined upcoming singer Ruba to celebrate the Fourth of July.
It was a moving moment. The spirited Pakistani-American community, furnishing vivid proof of their latter-hyphenated identity, celebrated the American Independence Day - as any American would do – with warmth, affection, pride and a sense of belonging to the star spangled banner on the memorable evening of July 1 at the Cerritos Sheraton Hotel. The display of patriotic zeal was spontaneous and felt by the emotionally charged community as the evening progressed.
The July Fourth celebration by the community was the brainchild of ArifZaffarMansuri, President, PL Publications, the publisher of USA-based weekly newspapers Pakistan Link and Urdu Link and the producer of the weekly television show on ARY Digital TV Network, the Mansuri Show. Mansuri was ably supported in this undertaking by members of the recently formed ‘Friends of Pakistan Link.’
There were many scintillating performances to keep the audience in raptures – Manhattan Beach Police Marching Band, patriotic songs by Peter Parker, lilting Punjabi songs by Janice Miller, dances by MKM Bollystar and Donia Duo, comedy by Hollywood actress and movie producer Nicole, fashion show, world-famous standup comedian Mona as emcee, Michael Jackson look-alike actor, dancer, choreographer Omar Rajpute, and much more.
Many diplomats, elected officials, law enforcement personnel graced the event. Guests included ShoaibSarwar, the Consul of Pakistan at the Consulate of Pakistan in Los Angeles; Ahsan Wagan, the Charge d’Affaires of Pakistan in Niger; NasheetaMohsin, the Commercial Counselor at the Pakistan Consulate, Los Angeles; consul generals of Sri Lanka and Senegal. Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) who was not able to attend due to a last-minute change in his schedule, addressed the audience over the phone. Almost all prominent movers and shakers of the community were present. From Dallas flew in S. Javaid Anwar, the Owner and President of Midland Energy, Inc., Petroplex Energy, Inc., and Western T. Corporation, who graciously presented a check of $10,000 to Mansuri. The food catered by Shahnawaz testified afresh to the Restaurant’s high-quality cuisine.
Kudos to ‘Friends of Pakistan Link’ for organizing such a splendid show. The group includes Abida Ahmed, ArifMansuri, Asad Saeed Khan, Darakhshan Malik, HawaVahed, Jawaid Butt, Maham Khan, Mustaqim Syed, NaushabaNaz Butt, Naveeda Nasir Rajpoot, NirmeenMohsin, Raheela Mahmood, Rohida Khan, RubinaSaminFaruqui, S. FirozeQasim, Salman Nasir Khan, Sana Jamal, Syed Naveeduddin, TasneemRehmani, Yasmin Qasim, MD, YousufKeekeebhai, and Zille Huma Zaman.
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