Dam Fund Event Generates Enthusiastic Response in Sacramento
By Ras H. Siddiqui
The recent worldwide appeal for funds to build two dams in water-scarce Pakistan by the Supreme Court and leaders now including Prime Minister Imran Khan has galvanized our community here in America. And with that said it was almost a sure thing for us to expect that the American-Pakistanis of Sacramento, California would respond with a great deal of enthusiasm.
For a few weeks now our local community had planned to get together for this cause and lucky for us Sacramento’s famous Punjab concept Haveli Restaurant re-opened (as Haveli Grill) at just the right time. Close to a 100 friends from the Pakistani Community gathered here on Sunday, October 7th for the Diamer Basha Dam effort. It was not just the quantity but the quality of people present that was important here that evening (especially their checkbooks) because by the end of the night around $60,000 had been collected for this important project spearheaded by Supreme Court Chief Justice in the old country.
The event started with a traditional invocation by Imam Kashif Ahmed of the local SALAM Islamic Center. Imam Kashif in a brief speech following his recitation stressed that this is a kind of contribution which will keep on giving back in the Islamic context, because these dams will be benefitting ordinary people for many, many years to come, which means continued Sawab for the people who help to build them. The Imam also said that we should count our blessings for our relative prosperity here in this country because of which we are able to help. Imam Kashif is leaving the area to lead an Islamic Center in Irving, Texas soon, so it is with sadness that we bid him farewell.
Sohail DJ was the emcee for the evening and first invited Mrs Rabina Khan to speak. Mrs Khan from the Chico area explained in Urdu the necessity of this project and what inspired her to contribute to it. Next, it was time for the national anthems of the United States and Pakistan to be played during which everyone participated, showing their respect by standing and some by singing along. The team which organized the event was also introduced.
The Consul General of Pakistan from the Los Angeles Consulate, Abdul Jabbar Memon was the Chief Guest here and was invited to speak next. He spoke of the need for new dams in Pakistan and how other regional countries had strengthened their water storage capacities while Pakistan greatly lagged behind in comparison. He also spoke of Pakistan’s continued sacrifices in the War on Terror and the price that had been paid including thousands of lives lost and the economic impact which has had stunted such infrastructure priorities.
Special guest, Dr Amir Siddique, next inspired the participants both by his speech and monetary contribution. Another important part of the event was the live keynote speech delivered by the Governor of Punjab, Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar via video link from Pakistan. The fundraising activity also included a paintings sale-auction by local youth and comments by Shak Khan, Marwa Zafar and Mrs Durriya Syed.
And last but not least was the entertainment segment with San Francisco-based Riffat Sultana in the lead accompanied by her husband Richard Michos (Shiraz). For those who may not know Riffat is the daughter of the legendary Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and her family has been keeping their musical tradition alive for several generations. She gave a fine performance to close the event here.
Pakistani dam fundraisings are happening all over the United States and in California the next one is planned for Livermore close to the San Francisco Bay area on Saturday, October 13th with Munni Begum slated to be the star performer.
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