SF Bay Area Pakistani Americans Celebrate 14th August
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Pakistani Americans in San Francisco Bay Area celebrated the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan with great enthusiasm and fervor.
A flag-raising ceremony was held at the Santa Clara County Headquarter in San Jose to mark the occasion. The ceremony was sponsored by the County Supervisor Otto Lee.
Addressing the gathering Otto Lee said that for many, many years Pakistani Americans have contributed to the American economy, specializing in agriculture, mining and logging industries.
Lee said Pakistani Americans represent a broad sector of professionals in fields such as medicine, law, business, education, government, technology, social services, non-profits and more.
He went on to say that Pakistani Americans have worked to improve community relations by building coalitions and alliances and promoting cultural ties, and have played a significant role in immigration reform and other social justice concerns.
Senator of California Senate, Dave Cortese, sent a special message of congratulations on the occasion. It may be pointed out that Senator Dave Cortese was supervisor of the Santa Clara County prior to his election to the State Senate.
Otto Lee presented the Commendation certificate of the Santa Clara County to Abdus Sattar Ghazali, Communications Director of the American Muslim Voice.
Among others who participated in the flag-raising ceremony were Kansen Chu, a former member of the California State Assembly and Attorney Javed Ellahie, Councilmember, Monte Sereno City Council, California.
Earlier, Khalid Saeed, President, American Muslim Voice, welcomed Supervisor Otto Lee and said it is heartening that the Santa Clara County has been sponsoring the flag-raising ceremony for the last nine years.
The flag-raising event, arranged by the American Muslim Voice, a civil advocacy group, included a colorful program of national songs and presentations by Pakistani American youths.
Noor Navaid was the emcee of the event.
Machelle Ahmed thrilled the audience with his singing of the Star Spangled Banner.
Lead singer, Malik Imtiaz Awan, amused the audience with his melodious presentation of Dil Dil Pakistan. Malik Imtiaz was joined by Fatima Khawaja, Reem Waqas, Mishall Nauman, Zainab Dogar, Zunish Sardar, ShamsaRafay, Shahida Malik, Alina, Aima Maqood and Rania Maqsood.
Abdullah Navaid read a brief article about the life of the founder of the nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Dr Aifra Ahmed spoke about the Poet of the East, Allama Iqbal.
Fatima Khawaja, 10 th grade at James Logan High School, spoke about Miss Fatima Jinnah.
Naiel Chaudry, 7 th grader, presented his own poem about Pakistan.
Munira Shamim, Community leader, shared his thoughts as an expatriate Pakistani.
The colorful flag-raising event ended with a Vote of thanks by Shama Khan of American Muslim Voice.
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