Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Pakistan
Association of Australia arranged a Pakistan Day Function in Sydney
(Coverage by: Syed
Zafar Hussain, Editor-in-Chief Sada-e-Watan Sydney)
Pakistan Association of Australia arranged a Pakistan day function on the 23rd March
2013 in Silverwater, Sydney. After a while the function was held on the actual
anniversary date Saturday March 23 and was attended by approximately 600 people.
Many state
and Federal dignitaries attended the grand event from all sides of politics,
government and non-government, educational and consular.
The General Secretary of Pakistan Association Mr Ashraf Chohan commenced proceedings with welcoming all guest and giving a short update on the things the association has been working on.
Formal proceedings had begun with the reciting of the Quran, after which the National Anthems of both Australia and Pakistan were sung in person by Ms Mehreen.
The rest of the evening was run by the Information Secretary; Ms Aisha Amjad, as the MC she welcomed all dignitaries and special guest and highlighted the importance of Pakistan 23 March event and shared some words of Quaid-e-Azam.
Ms. Aisha had introduced a special guest who had travelled from Melbourne to join us to celebrate Pakistan Day in Sydney.
Usman Baig, President of Pakistan Students Association [PSAA] Usman had spoken very passionately about Pakistan.
The stage was joined by the youth wing of the Association, Syed Talal talked about the Young Pakistan Association and the success of the recent annual cricket tournament which was attended by many people. The Hon Victor Dominello Minister for Citizenship and Communities was asked to present the trophy to the winning team.
Mr Azam Mohammed, Consul General took the stage next he spoke about the importance of Pakistan Day and the value of inter faith Harmony. Also how the Association and Consulate have been working together in promoting interfaith.
Community awards were presented on behalf of the Association and Consulate towards those people who had played important roles in interfaith within the community:
· Dr. Shabbir Ahmed – For Promoting Interfaith Harmony in Australia
· Sheikh Idressul Hassan - For Promoting Interfaith Harmony in Australia
· Nizamul Haq Thanvi - For Promoting Interfaith Harmony in Australia
· Nazeerul Hasan Thanvi - For Promoting Interfaith Harmony in Australia
Mr. Iftikhar Rana, President of the PAA had spoken about the creation of Pakistan which was based on the thoughts of Quaid –e- Azam “Faith, Unity and Discipline”. Mr. Rana compared both the positive and negative things about Pakistan’s current state; he said we need to remove corruption and terrorism, end the violence and crimes from Pakistan. This can only happen if the people and government work together in unity have faith and embed discipline.
The President Rana had presented his condolences towards his good friend and a prominent member of the Pakistani community Mr. Minhas Zulfiqar. A minute of silence was observed in his respect and honour including the innocent people killed in Quetta, Karachi, Pakistan and all over the world.
More community awards were presented that night to people who had provided great community services and support.
The
recipients were presented their award by Iftikhar Rana President PAA and
His Excellency
Abdul Malik Abdullah High Commissioner of Pakistan Australia:-
· Dr. Shujaullah Kirmani – For Inspiring and Helping The Community Over the Years
· Dr. Akbar Khan - For Inspiring and Helping The Community Over the Years
· Bashir Malik – For Inspiring and Helping The Community Over the Years
· Mr. M.E. Qurashi - Life Time Achievement Award
· Shabbir Iqbal - In recognition of community services and Best Student Education Services Award
· Rimsha Bilal - For her outstanding results in the 2012 High School Certificate
Minister Hon.Victor Dominello MP - In
Recognition For Integrating Communities
· Hon. Julie Owens Federal MP - In Recognition For Integrating Communities
· Hon. Barbara Perry MP - In Recognition For Integrating Communities
· Hon. Alex Hawke Federal MP - In Recognition For Integrating Communities
· Craig Laundy – In Recognition For Integrating Communities
Mr. Syed Zafar Hussain
- In recognition for his continuous media support over the years
Javed Chaudhary - In recognition for his great effort and services in helping
the community
· Charity Australia – For Helping and Assisting The Community
Musical Entertainment was provided by the very talented Singer Shagufta Zia.
More speeches were presented by members from all sides of politics and government:
The Hon. John Murphy MP for Reid was representing Julia Gillard Prime Minister of Australia for the night. He congratulated the Pakistani community and presented the letter from the Prime Minister.
The Hon. Victor Dominello, Minister for Citizenship and Communities had spoken and congratulated the Pakistani Community for Pakistan Day.
The Hon. Babara Perry MP was representing Hon.John Robertson MP, Leader of the Opposition and congratulated the community on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
Craig Laundy had spoken on behalf of Hon. Tony Abbott, Liberal Opposition Leader and congratulated Pakistan community on Pakistan day and talked about what an important role the Pakistani people play towards the Australian community.
The speeches were concluded by His Excellency Abdul Malik Abdullah, High Commissioner of Pakistan in Australia. H.E. Abdullah encouraged the community and community groups to stay united and work under one umbrella; He appreciated the efforts of Mr. Iftikhar Rana on bringing all community groups on one platform as Mr Rana played a very vital role in keeping the community united. He congratulated the Pakistani community on the event of Pakistan Day; His presence on the night was highly appreciated by the PAA and Pakistani community in Sydney.
Dinner was served by
Himalayas team of Mushtaq, Asif and Arif and who displayed one of our cultures
rich traditions, a sumptuous dinner flowing with variety, taste, freshness and
flavour.
After dinner and desert, a raffle was conducted to raise funds and prizes were
won by many.
The night was concluded by a musical performance by the well-known and very talented Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan.
The Association would like to thank its media partners for its publicity of the
event including Syed Zafar
Hussain of Sada-e-Watan
and Pak Link Magazine.
The Association would like to thank all that attended and its long standing
support from the Consulate General of Pakistan offices , various State
and Federal Government offices and from the sponsors of the Event including
Citilink , Rana Finance , Systronic, Sydney Taxi Training, Silver Smash,
Slimtel, Anmol Rice, Pakistan Australia Business Council and
various individual Doctors who contributed.
The list of dignitaries and special guest that attended the night is below:
· His Excellency Abdul Malik Abdullah - High Commissioner for Pakistan in Australia
· His Excellency Azam Mohammed - Consul General, Pakistan Consulate in Sydney
· The Hon. John Murphy MP Federal Member for Reid Representing Julia Gillard Prime Minister of Australia
· The Hon. Victor Dominello - Minister for Citizenship and Representing Barry O’Farrell Premier of NSW
· Mr. Craig Laundy Candidate for Reid and Representing Tony Abbott Opposition Leader of Liberal
· The Hon. Julie Owen - Federal Member for Parramatta
· The Hon. Tony Issa MP - Member for Granville
· The Hon. Barbara Perry MP - Member for Auburn
· Sardar Balakh Sher Khosa , CWA Sydney
· Brig Zahoor Ahmed - Defense Adviser
· Saad Malik
· Hanif Mukaddum –PPP
· Afroz Shaheen – MQM
· AtharZaidi – Muhammadi Association
· Abbas Aly – Imam Hassan Centre
· Mehmood Ahmed – Ahmadi Association
· Abdul Qayyam Changazi – Hazara Community
· Sheik Idrees Hassan
· Dr. Shabbir Ahmed
· Nazimul Haq Thanvi
· Naizirul HasanThanvi
· Dr. JsVirk
· Syed Talal – Young Pakistan Association
· Mr. Andrew
· Mr. Margivb Elahi Qurashi
· Dr. Akbar Khan
· Dr. Shujaullah Kirmani
· Mr. Bashir Malik
The Hon.Victor Dominello - Minister for Citizenship and Communities
His Excellency Abdul Malik Abdullah - High Commissioner for Pakistan
Mr. Azam Mohammed - Consul General of Pakistan in Sydney
Mr. Iftikhar Rana, President Pakistan Association of Australia
The Hon.John Murphy Federal MP for Reid was representing Hon. Julia Gillard Prime Minister of Australia
The Hon. Babara Perry MP was representing Hon.John Robertson, Leader of the NSW Opposition
Craig Laundy had spoken on behalf of Hon. Tony Abbott, Liberal Opposition Leader
The General Secretary of Pakistan Association Mr Ashraf Chohan
Information Secretary Pakistan Association Ms Aisha Amjad was the MC
Deputy Editor Sada-e-Watan Syed Talal - Young Pakistan Association & Organizer of Pakistan Day Cricket Tournament Sydney
The stage was joined by the youth wing of the Association, Talal Syed who is talking about the Young Pakistan Association and the success of the recent annual cricket tournament. The Hon Victor Dominello Minister for Citizenship and Communities & H.E.Abdul Malik Abdullah, the High Commissioner for Pakistan present on stage with the winning team.
The Hon.Victor Dominello - Minister for Citizenship is Representing Hon.Barry O’Farrell Premier of NSW
His Excellency Abdul Malik Abdullah - High Commissioner for Pakistan
Mr. Iftikhar Rana, President Pakistan Association of Australia
