Santa Clara Celebrates Pakistan Independence Day
By AbdusSattarGhazali
The Pakistani community in the San Francisco Area celebrated Pakistan’s Independence Day with great enthusiasm and fervor.
Many Pakistanis were donned shirts and T-shirts painted with the Pakistani flag. Many also wore green dresses to express their emotions and association with their country of origin.
A major Independence Day celebration was held at the Santa Clara County headquarter where Dave Cortese, President, Board of Supervisors, raised the Pakistani flag to mark the occasion. He also hoisted the American flag.
Michelle Ahmed sang theAmerican national anthem while Punhal Chaudhry led others to sing the national anthem of Pakistan.
In a brief speech, Dave Cortese expressed his pleasure that the County of Santa Clara has been celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day for the last seven years. “This is an endorsement by the County of Santa Clara of all of you and Pakistan which is a wonderful country…This is not ceremonial but official. The most prosperous and most powerful county in the world is making this statement.”
After the flag-hoisting ceremony the crowd moved to the County Hall where Dave Cortese presented a plaque to the American Muslim Voice, led by SaniaSundas, which helped in organizing the Independence Day celebration at the County Headquarters.
The plaque contained the proclamation passed by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara on the Independence Day of Pakistan.The proclamation recognized the contribution of Pakistani Americans to the cultural, social and economic fabric of Silicon Valley.
For over 150 years, said the proclamation, the Pakistani Americans have contributed to the American economy, specializing in agriculture, mining and logging industries.
The proclamation pointed out that Pakistani Americans represent a culturally rich heritage and vibrant community in Santa Clara County. Their cultural values include hospitality, love of family and community.
The Santa Clara County proclamation said:
“Whereas Pakistani Americans represent a broad sector of professionals in fields such as medicine, law, business, education, government, technology, social services, non-profits and more.
“Whereas Pakistani Americans have worked to improve community through the building of coalitions and alliances and the promotion of cultural understanding, and have played a significant role in immigration reform and other social justice, concerns.
“Therefore, the board of supervisors of Santa County proclaims August 14, 2019 as Pakistan’s Independence Day to recognize the Pakistani American community and to honor the many contributions Pakistani Americans have made to our community.”
A colorful program was presented by the American Muslim Voice to mark the occasion. The program included singing of national songs like DilDil Pakistan and a slide show highlighting Pakistan’s culture.
Simrah, Nabiha and AribaShahidentertained the audience with their presentation of popular Urdu poemLab Pay Aatee Hay DuaBankeTamannaMeree.
Abdullah Navaid read a well-researched article about the life of Quaid-i-AzamMohammad Ali Jinnah, the father of Pakistan.
NaielChudry spoke about the people of Pakistan.
DrAifra Ahmed presented her poem about Pakistan “Subh-e-Charaghaan.
Bilal Haider and MuniraShamimentertained the audience with their presentation of DilDil Pakistan.
Noor Navaid was the Emcee of the program.
At the end,AbdusSattarGhazali, Senior Advisor of the American Muslim Voice Foundation, thanked Dave Cortese for hosting the Independence Day of Pakistan for the last seven years. He also thanked Chandni Restaurant and Mehran Restaurant of Newark for serving complimentary snacks on the occasion.
Congressman Ro Khanna and California Assemblyman Kansen Chu sent messages to the American Muslim Voice Foundation for sponsoring the Independence Day celebration.
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