MY MOTTO: SERVE HUMANITY IN REALITY
PREMIER
CELEBRATES PAKISTAN DAY,
PRAISES PAKISTANI COMMUNITY
BY JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION
AWARD WINNER
TORONTO:
The significance and celebration of
Pakistan Day is a very important part of lives of Pakistanis all over the
world. Supporters including VIPs, distinguished personalities, dignitaries and
friends join them and share the joyous moment.
Pakistan
Day festivals, parties, national songs and debate competitions are featured
throughout the day, which sees many people spend time with families, friends
and loved ones. Pakistan Day specials
are broadcast on radio and TV. Special prayers are offered for peace and
prosperity.
Pakistan Day is a public holiday in Pakistan
to remember the Lahore Resolution on March 23 each year. The Lahore Resolution
is considered a major milestone in the Muslim struggle for an independent state
in undivided India.
In
a Muslim League annual session in 1930, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, a poet and
philosopher, put forward the ideal of Muslims being a separate nation. Muhammad
Iqbal is accredited for weaving the Two-Nation theory, an ideology that
eventually made the creation of Pakistan possible.
The
Two-Nation theory stated that Hindus and Muslims were from two different nations.
Muslim culture, tradition, religion, ideology, morals and language were all
distinctly different from Hindu ideals. Both nations (Hindus and Muslims)
shared mutually contradicting beliefs. Therefore, an autonomous state
consisting of Muslim majority areas of British India was demanded to protect
Muslims’ political, social and cultural rights.
In
a Muslim League general session from March 22 to March 24, 1940, Pakistan’s
founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and other party leaders unanimously rejected the
idea of united India, endorsed the Two-Nation Theory and called for a separate
Muslim homeland. The Lahore Resolution was supported by all major Muslim
Leaders of the time. Pakistan gained independence from British rule on August
14, 1947. March 23 became a day to commemorate the Lahore Resolution of 1940,
which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan.
Pakistan
High Commission, Pakistan Consulates and Pakistanis living in Canada too
organized memorable events to celebrate the occasion and highlight the importance
of the day.
The Canadian Association of
Pakistani Origin (CAPO) organized Pakistan Day Celebration on Sunday, March 24,
2013, at the Greek Community Centre, 30 Thorncliffe Park Drive, Toronto.
The Thorncliffe Park Drive locality
is one of the most important arenas of political contest in Canada. It comprises
mostly Muslims of South Asia region. Majority of them are highly educated,
civilized, cultured and enjoyed very good positions, status and reputation back
home. Their tremendous contributions, talent, skills, capabilities and
abilities, because of which they qualified for immigration to Canada, speak for
them.
Unfortunately,
due to reasons and logics best known to the policymakers, rulers and leaders, Canada,
despite demands and best efforts for recognition, has failed to utilize and
benefit from their services, experiences and contributions. They are struggling
very hard and contributing in the best possible manner to earn proper recognition
and become an important part of the mainstream and society as a good,
respectable and responsible citizen.
Because
of large number of Pakistanis and Muslims of India, Afghanistan and other
countries residing here, it is also famous as Mini-Pakistan and Islamic
Republic of Thorncliffe.
Premier
of Ontario Kathleen Wynne, who is also the MPP of Don Valley West area in which
Thorncliffe Park Drive falls, was the chief guest on the occasion. She enjoys
great respect and popularity in the community due to her tremendous
contributions and close attachment with the people. Unlike others who remain
invisible and out of reach, she is accessible, remembers and loves serving the
people.
Other
dignitaries, who attended the celebration, included the new Consul General of Pakistan in
Toronto, Muhammad Nafees Zakaria, Syed Akbar Adil Shah, Counsellor, Community
Affairs, and Asghar, Vice Consul, of Pakistan Consulate, John Carmichael, MP, Michael Prue, MPP, Shafiq
Qadri, MPP, John Parker, Councillor, Melvin John, Geoff Kettel, Lisa
Grogan-Green, Gerri Gershon, TDSB Trustee, Marjorie Hiley, Executive Director,
Flemingdon Community Legal Services, Rob Oliphant, ex-MP, Khalid Usman,
ex-Councillor, Syed Aziz Nizami, Sajjada
Nashin, Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia (RA), and Rafique Memon, Environmental
Technologist in Canada and an important bureaucrat (NAB in Pakistan).
The
gathering was large, including mostly women and children, and the hall
packed. Members of the Seniors
Club/Circle, based at TNO Youth Centre and supported by the TNO, also joined
the celebration with the objective and belief that all bodies, organizations,
leaders and members are branches of the same tree called community. They share
the same trunk, root and the ground. This should be the spirit of cooperation,
collaboration, love, care, help and support.
The
program included Video titled `Vibrant Pakistan’, slide show from past CAPO
events, recitation and translation of the Holy Quran by Azeeb Uddin, national
anthems of Pakistan and Canada and some songs by Daniyal Wani, documentary on
Malala Yusufzai, national songs (Shujat Ali) and dances, Punjabi Bhangra, welcome
speech by Nawal Ateeq, speeches by dignitaries and others, poetry presentation
by Major Muhammad Wani, cultural dress show, award presentations, moment of
silence (Candle performance) and vote of thanks by Mazhar Shafiq. Refreshment
was served to the guests.
The
CAPO Youth Committee, which organized the 23rd March Event 2013---Pakistan
Day Resolution, included Sana Khan, Daniyal Wani, Hufsa Akbar, Nida Hasan,
Yumna Azeem, Uroosha Lailun, Aaysha Wani and Ahmed Mazhar
People
enjoyed the music, songs, Punjabi Bhangras and other presentations but were
shocked that in all the speeches, including by dignitaries and hosts, the
significance and importance of Pakistan Day was not touched. They kept waiting
till the last to hear something but were disappointed when it was neither
mentioned nor discussed.
One
of the guests, an ex-senior military officer in Pakistan and now a Canadian
citizen, felt very bad, contacted Nawal Ateeq of CAPO and protested to her
about this. When nothing happened he then wrote a strong protest note
addressing the new Consul General, Muhammad Nafees Zakaria, and Dr Shafiq
Qadri, MPP, and went to present the same to them. Since the Consul General had
left, he informed Syed Akbar Adil Shah about this and handed the note to Dr
Shafiq Qadri.
Many other guests felt the same and were
disappointed. They surrounded me and
said that the media must take serious note of all such acts. They hoped that
the CAPO and all other organizations and organizers must understand the
significance and importance of all such occasions and highlight them
accordingly---with great respect and proper manner.
It
is the responsibility of the organizers to make sure that the presentations
match the dignity of the theme and program. People love Pakistan very much and
attend the events with the same love, spirit and respect. They have great spiritual and emotional
attachment with their motherland and feel very bad and hurt when the country
and people are not paid proper respect.
The CAPO Team has good team leaders,
volunteers and supporters. It is playing an important role in the community
including cultural, social and political fields and emerging as a strong force.
The most visible and dominant ones in CAPO are Wani Family and Mazhar Shafiq
Family and their supporters.
People
who keep monitoring activities, bodies and leaders feel that CAPO should remove
the impression of some families’ affair and recognition and promotion of some and
same families only. They say that other competent ones in the community should
be brought forward who can help CAPO and the team become stronger and more effective.
It is in the interest of CAPO and the community. No doubt the Wani Family,
Mazhar Shafiq and their supporters are the backbone of CAPO and play an
important role in its progress and success.
The
community media too must focus more on the community events, affairs and
promotion and prominently highlight them in a positive and constructive manner.
The wastage of precious space on prominent coverage of dirty politics of
corrupt Pakistani leaders and rulers must stop. People are not interested, fed
up and instead get frustrated. The media must change the policies if it wants
to change the mindset and really guide and serve the people.
---Javed
Zaheer, Free Expression Award Winner, Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner,
Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC, Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto
Press Club, Ex-Member of The National Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary
Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English
Weekly `The Ambassador’, ex-Senior Sub-Editor of English Daily DAWN, Pakistan,
Chairman, CANOPI, and Director, Canpak Camber of Commerce, is contributing
purely on Voluntary and Honorary Basis in order to serve all people and
communities. Contact: (416)696-0981/jazamedia@hotmail.com. To read more JZ’s
exclusive articles, please visit: www. nepmcc.ca and nationalethnicpress.com
(Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004 to 2011. Visit
www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com
and
www.jazamedia.wordpress.com.
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