NEWYORK: Pakistani American Community of Long Island celebrated the Pakistan Independence by organizing a grand Pakistan independence festival at Eisenhower park in which large number of Pakistani American community participated.
The festival begun with the recitation of Holy Quran and later the American and Pakistani national anthems were sang.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the participants were informed about the objectives and performance of PACOLI. On this occasion, Bashir Qamar, the founder of PaCOLI and his cabinet were invited on the stage.
Addressing participants, PACOLI President Abdul Rehman and Vice President Humayon Shabbir said that this festival could not be organized without the support and contribution of Pakistani community. They said that overseas Pakistani have heart for their beloved country.
Several stalls of traditional dresses, jewelry and foods were set up in the festival.
PACOLI Vice Presidents Ateeq Qadri and Salman Sheikh said that they try to do something for their community throughout the year and the community always cooperates with us.
Not only PACOLI’s team but also men and women from different areas of New York participated in independence festival and all of them were dressed in green and white clothes waving green crescent flags in their hands.
Singer Somia Khan sang the traditional national song of Madam Noor Jahan which was appreciated by the participants.
PACOLI secretary general Asim Malik and director Jamal Mohsin appreciated the role of Bashir Qamar for organizing such event under his leadership. PACOLI Comptroller Azra Dar announced the award to first Pakistani American police inspector in New York Police Department Adeel Rana which was received by his nominated colleague in the ceremony.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman along with senior officers of his office attended the Independence Day festival organized by the PACOLI.
He said that the Pakistani community consists of educated, capable, talented and skilled people and they have an important role in the development of the county. On this occasion, PACOLO presented awards to different personalities in recognition of their services.
Senior advisor to Nassau county executive Brue Blakeman, Chaudhry Akram said that Bruce Blakeman attended the Pakistani community event despite his busy schedule because he wanted to congratulate the Pakistani community on their independence day.
Pakistan’s famous singer Ustad Rafafat Ali Khan also attended the event and sang a popular song which was also sung by Madam Noor Jahan to raise the moral of the soldiers during the Indo-Pak war of 1965.
Executive director of the office of Asian American Affairs in Nassau County Aun Naqvi and and others were also present at the event.
In his address, he appreciated the efforts of Bashir Qamar, the founder of PACOLI and County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Nassau county’s deputy attorney Shaharyar Ali said that Nassau county has unique example for providing opportunities of representation to persons belongs to different nationalities.
People flocked in the independence festival in the evening to listen the singing of their favorite artists coming from Pakistan.
Renowned singer Naeem Abbas Rufi enthralled the audience by singing the songs of late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
At the end of independence festival, Nassau county executive Bruce Blakeman awarded certificates of appreciation to members of PACOLI in recognition of their service for the community.
