Memorable Eid Milan Party in Washington Metropolitan Area

 

Potomac, Maryland: Eid al-Fitr was celebrated in the United States of America on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Americans of Kashmiri ancestry always organize Eid Milan parties in major cities of the United States – New York, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Washington metropolitan area, etc.  One such Eid Milan party was organized by the Americans of Azad Kashmir ancestry at the Islamic Community Center of Potomac in Maryland and was attended by more than 500 people including women and children. The party was officially sponsored by the board of directors of Kashmir American Welfare Association (KAWA).

KAWA is a non-profit organization that works to promote the welfare of the Kashmiri people, primarily through advocacy and humanitarian efforts. It was founded in 1990s, with the goal of supporting the Kashmiri people in the diaspora and in Kashmir. It aims to raise awareness about the situation in Kashmir, advocate for the rights of Kashmiri people, and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need.

In his opening remarks, Sardar Zarif Khan, Advisor to the President of Azad Kashmir, mentioned that the purpose of Eid Milan is to strengthen our community bonds and share our rich cultural heritage. Raja Liaqat Kayani, President of KAWA said that we want to make this Eid Milan an unforgettable event.

Sardar Zubair Khan, representative of ‘Voices of Justice in Kashmir,’ said that while we celebrate Eid today, we cannot forget the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters in Jammu & Kashmir. We express our unconditional moral support to them.

Other speakers on the occasion included: Sardar Shoaib Irshad, General Secretary, KAWA; Khalid Faheem; and Sardar Abid Khan.

Insaniat Foundation, which is headed by a prominent businessman, Akram Butt, gave 100,000 Pakistani rupees to Rehana Shafi Khan, a 6 years old girl whose name was drawn through Raffle tickets. She will contribute it to a charity of her choosing in Pakistan which helps the needy and homeless people there.

Likewise, KAWA Board members also gave 100,000 Pakistani Rupees to Zaheeruddin Ahmed Khan of Ghaziabad, Bagh whose name was also chosen through Raffle ticket. She too will contribute to a charity of her own choice in Pakistan.

Gifts prepared by Semab Shafiq, CEO of SEMA Collection were given to children under 14 by Semab Shafiq, Sardar Zarif Khan, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Sardar Shakeel Anjum, Ashfaq Shah and Raja Liaqat Kayani. The gift boxes included American and Azad Kashmir flags, pen and chocolates.

KAWA welcomed four brothers to Washington metropolitan area: Saleem Sahib, Sardar Kabir khan, Advocate Haider Irshad, and Asad Khan

KAWA Board of Directors and volunteers include Raja Liaqat Kayani, Sardar Shoaib Irshad, Sardar Zubair Khan, Raja Latif Kayani, Khalid Faheem, Sardar Abid khan, Waseem Khan, Sardar Sharez Hayat, Azhar khan, Awais Khan, Imtiaz Kayani, Sohail Khan, Shafi Khan, Zeeshan Khan, and Maqsood Hussain.

For more information, contact Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice -gnfai2003@yahoo.com