Guests Enjoy Ramadan Iftar at Pakistan House
By Elaine Pasquini
Photos by Phil Pasquini
Washington: Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, celebrated the holy month of Ramadan (Ramzan) with a special iftar – the meal after sunset that concludes Muslims’ daylong fast – at Pakistan House, on March 12, 2025.
Among the group of attendees were journalists and representatives from local and international media outlets, including Dawn, Pakistan Link, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, PTV in US, BC Channel 5 and Express TV, along with community leaders and friends of Pakistan.
While camaraderie and joy were in abundance at the informal event, the highlight was the delectable array of Pakistani dishes including pakoras and samosas, among several others.
Pakoras , a delicious and crispy iconic Pakistani delicacy, are typically made with chickpea flour, potatoes, onions, spinach and spices such as coriander, chili powder and cumin and then deep-fried. Samosas, triangle turnovers, have a history dating back to ancient Persia and then introduced in India with Mughal empire founder Babur in the 1500s.
Kashmiri chai and classic yogurt-based lassi drinks were also on hand for quenching thirst after the day-long abstinence from food and drink.
The evening was a welcome reprieve from Washington’s current chaotic political arena with guests sharing family news, future or past travel experiences and a general esprit de corps.
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
