Association of Pakistani Americans hosts Pakistan Independence Day festival in Bolingbrook
The 22nd Pakistan Flag Hoisting Ceremony and Taste of Pakistan Festival are held in Bolingbrook by the Association of Pakistani Americans.
As the Pakistani community around the globe commemorates Pakistan's 76th Independence Day this year in 2023 with remarkable fervor. To commemorate the 76th anniversary of Pakistan's independence, numerous festivities were held throughout Chicago and its suburbs.
An impressive number of locals, including Pakistan Consul General Tariq Karim, attended the flag-raising ceremony and the "Taste of Pakistan" event at Bolingbrook hosted by the Association of Pakistani Americans. It drew thousands of participants from the Pakistani American community from various backgrounds. An estimated 11,000 individuals showed there to benefit from the occasion.
"The people of Pakistan continue to be the greatest strength of the Bolingbrook Pakistani community," Pakistan Consul General Tariq Karim remarked at the ceremony to raise the flag. I implore the Association of Pakistani Americans (APA) to strive tirelessly for 32 years to maintain the Pakistani flag flying.
The occasion began with the customary translation-assisted recital of the Holy Quran. Talat Rashid, the APA's founder greeted the gathering. The organization was started 32 years ago by Talat Rasheed, the founder of the Association of Pakistani Americans in Bolingbrook.
The event was attended by a number of representatives from the Village of Bolingbrook, high-ranking businesspeople from nearby cities, state and local representatives, prominent community leaders, dignitaries including the Mayor of Bolingbrook, a representative of the Governor of the State of Illinois, representatives of many Illinois state officials, the chair of the school board, the village commissioner, and many others. roughly 6:30 p.m. The Consulate General of Pakistan in Chicago, Tariq Karim, Mayor Mary Basta, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, Talat Rasheed, and a number of other leaders hosted the raising of the Pakistani flag. On this occasion, both the American and Pakistani national anthems were sung.
The Consul General gave a speech during the event, thanking the APA and the Village of Bolingbrook for starting and maintaining the tradition of holding the Pakistan flag hoisting ceremony every year, which has been going on for 32 years this month. Along with the historical significance of the day, he emphasized the accomplishments Pakistan has made since gaining independence as well as the government's reforms and initiatives in a number of areas, notably those that pertain to the facilitation of Pakistani living abroad. He was also appreciative of what the Pakistani-American community in the Midwest had contributed.
In 1991, Mr. Talat Rashid established this organization APA (Association of Pakistani Americans Bolingbrook)
The event which featured food, entertainment, and music, was packed with thousands of attendees. The doctors from Advanced Pediatric Care, Nadeem Longi and Moazzam Saeed, supported the event. They have been supporting this event for the last 15 years. they also provide huge fund the Balochistan water project. Several individuals receive Community service award base on their performance for community. Bolingbrook Police Officer Christopher Salerno receive Officer of the Year Award.
The program's moderator, Mir Ali, has done a fantastic job making sure that it runs well. An exciting musical concert with several local singers and legendary, talented singers Nadeem Abbas Rufi and Fizza Javed sets the tone for the entire evening.
The Pakistani consul general in Chicago remained until the very end and took pleasure. He commended the organizers and the community and emphasized the need for the community to remain unified and to play an important role in American society.
At every level, the event was a big success. The APA has once again shown that they are leaders in teaching America about all the beneficial contributions Pakistani Americans continue to make to its success and that they truly bring out the best in the Pakistani American community.
Talat Rashid, the founder and president of APA, extends his gratitude to all of the sponsors for their support and labor of love in making the event a success.