NEW JERSEY: A Pakistan Day parade was organized on Oak Tree Road in New Jersey to celebrate the 77th Independence Day of Pakistan.
The event was started with recitation of Holy Quran followed by the Naat in honor of prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM). The national anthems of America and Pakistan were read and then the flags of both countries were hoisted. Shahi Palace provided traditional breakfast of Halwa Puri to participants which was enjoyed by all.
On this occasion, young children and adults also presented wonderful tableau on the historical national songs of Pakistan. A quiz session based on Pakistan history questions was also organized for the children.
Traditional Bazar was also established in which stalls of beautiful traditional and folk dresses, jewelry, cosmetics and other items were setup for the community members.
The founder chairperson of Pakistan Day parade Dr. Zubair welcomed the participants and his spouse Sara Zubair also thanked parade volunteers and management especially sister of late Sem Khan and his nephew Hanan for their efforts to make the parade successful. The cake of the 77th Independence Day of Pakistan was also cut.
Dr. Zubair invited Chairman of the Parade Committee chairman Malik Sulemnan, President Mateen Abbas and General Secretary Kamran Khan and appreciated their efforts for organizing the parade and praised their team.
Parade committee office bearers expressed their gratitude to the guests and participants of the parade. They also remembered the services of founder trustees late Mian Aziz and Sem Khan for their remarkable services to the community.
They requested the Pakistani ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh to set up a camp office in New Jersey.
Pakistan Consul General in New York Amir Ahmed Atuzai also attended the Pakistan Day Parade.
Addressing participants, Pakistani Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said that our deployment is for a few years, but the overseas Pakistani in America were the actual ambassadors of Pakistan. He assured that two camp offices will be set up in New Jersey every month.
Sam Khan’s nephew Hanan also moderated the event and introduced the American women officials. He said that Pakistani women were also making their place in US politics.
Pakistani American assembly woman from New Jersey Shama Haider said that she wants that the young girls and women of Pakistani community should come forward and take participation in administrative affairs and in the field of politics.
Pakistani doctors’ organization APNA member Mohammad Ali said that organization will organize a walk to create awareness about the mental health. The representative of Al Raheem foundation Ahmed said that people should not defame the country because of some people wrong decision and policies.
The first Pakistani-American woman mayor from the town of Mount Laurel in Burlington County, New Jersey Fozia Janjua said that our community has always shown unity and harmony.
On this occasion, elected Pakistani and Bangladeshi-American women in New Jersey also expressed their views.
They said that women should also try their luck in the political field. Participating in the event, Mayor Edison NJ Sam Joshi also addressed the audience and said that we are the ambassadors of our culture and values and we should move forward by supporting each other.
Deputy public advocate of New York city Kashif Hussain, who participated in the day parade, said that today is very happy day as our green crescent flag was raised beyond political affiliation and Sam Khan is also greatly missed.
Earlier, the American officials participating in the Pakistan Day Parade also congratulated the community on the Independence Day.
They said that this country and city belongs to everyone and we want to work together with all communities.
On this occasion, other American officials also expressed their views and said that they themselves came to this country as an immigrant, worked hard and earned place.
They said that Pakistani community has also dedication and desire to move forward.in the Pakistani community. The founding chairman of Pakistan Day Parade Dr. Zubair also invited his late friend Sam Khan’s spouse and daughter Alisha who said that Sam Khan used to grace this parade and it is always a pleasure for them to participate in this parade.
Renowned Pakistani singer Ustad Rafaqaat Ali Khan sang famous Persian poetry “Tu Kuja Man Kuja” while folk singer Nadeem Abbas Loonewala also sang folk songs and enthralled the audience with their performances. Later, the US official and organizers of the Pakistan Day Parade committee were presented awards in recognition of their services.
