This blog post is written by Mehwish Nasir, our American Pakistan Foundation (APF) Leadership Council Leadership Team member, WEST Network Ambassador. She highlighted 2024 Pakistan Independence Day Celebrations in the Greater Bay Area, CA as part of the celebration of 15 years of the American Pakistan Foundation and APF Heritage Week (August 10-August 17, 2024) to profile the Pakistani culture, heritage and Independence Day festivities across the United States.

Last year, I attended the August 14th Pakistan Independence Day Flag Raising ceremony and celebration in San Jose, Santa Clara County, CA headquarters and I made sure not to miss this year's August 14th, 2024 celebration at the same location, as well. 

Samina Faheem Sundas, (American Muslim Voice Foundation (AMVF) Founding Executive Director), has been organizing Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations in San Jose, CA for the last several years. AMVF events revolve around its mission and values to bring the community together, promote unity, celebrate diversity, culture and understanding among diverse groups. 

This two hour evening program started with the raising of American and Pakistani Flags at the singing of National Anthems by everyone. Singing was followed by a proclamation from Santa Clara County which stated that, "Pakistani Americans have contributed greatly to the cultural, social and economic fabric of Silicon Valley…and that Santa Clara County honors and recognizes the over 150 years of contributions of the Pakistani American community.” The proclamation was received by one of the senior board members of AMVF Abdus Sattar Ghazali, who is also an Editor in Chief at Journal of America. Afterward, a state of California Certificate of recognition from Senator Dave Cortese was handed over to the AMVF.

Youth and community leaders then gave short and engaging speeches on the Pride and Joys of Pakistan; about Abdul Sattar Edhi, a great humanitarian and philanthropist from Pakistan; and about Kashmir; all of which touched everyone in the audience very much, myself included.

Various Pakistani national songs, including an all time favorite - “Dil, Dil Pakistan,” a song of Vital Signs band - were sung vey movingly by our youth at the end of the program. Complimentary refreshments, Pakistani snacks and sweets were available and served throughout the program.

At this event, I met many of my Bay Area local community members, including members from OPEN Silicon Valley chapter, and Raeena Lari one of our 2023 esteemed APF Rising Stars, also joined me later in the celebrations.

Indeed, like the previous many years, AMVF and our very own Samina F. Sundus have very successfully and beautifully pulled Americans, Pakistani Americans - everyone together for August 14, 2024 Pakistan-Independence Day Celebrations depicting well its mission of  “fostering friendships among all Americans by bridging cultural and religious gaps.” And APF members like the previous years joined hands this year as well with AMVF in August 14, 2024 Pakistan Independence Day Celebrations across the USA.

Pakistan Independence Day Photo Gallery from August 14, 2024

My friends at NUSTIAN USA, in particular those residing in Silicon Valley, USA have insisted that I attend the Azadi Family Festival (organized by the Pakistani American Community of San Francisco Bay area), which I finally did on August 18th, 2024. This independence family festival has been held in Fremont downtown center every year for the last three years in a row. 

There was Pakistani food, treats and non-food vendors with stalls of Pakistani clothing, shoes, accessories, arts, crafts and books at the arena, all under one roof. Everyone there seemed to be enjoying food; some were also taking home the scrumptious food, and people were excited and busy overall, shopping for accessories and greeting each other.

The official event ceremony started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Fremont community senior member Salim Mastan, and others along with him, received a certificate of recognition from Alameda County, CA officials for the massive contributions from the Pakistani American Community of San Francisco Bay area. Next, we enjoyed singing of the American and Pakistani National Anthems by everyone, with children on stage waving Pakistani flags. The official video of Salam Pakistan (which is the embodiment of Pakistan's incredible beauty and rich cultural heritage), presented by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Government of Pakistan), was played afterwards.

During the program, Istafa Zaidi, one of the co-founders of USAMPAC (United States American Muslim Public Affairs Committee) introduced and recognized individually all of the Greater Bay Area Muslim Candidates for various elected offices, and their significant roles/contributions. 

During this event, many Bay Area community members were also recognized individually by Salim Mastan and team for their significant contributions to the community. Many officials of Alameda County, including Pamela Y. Price (Alameda County District Attorney), Michael K. Hannon (Mayor, Newark, CA) were in attendance. These officials also gave their individual short speeches and later concluded the program by mingling and greeting everyone during a cake-cutting ceremony.

Afterwards, there was a singing competition among children, prizes, and an evening music program.

I will definitely attend this Azadi Family Festival again in the future. Through this event, I learned so much about our community and their contributions - inclusive of non-Pakistanis, too. I also met many of my community members in-person there, including my NUSTIAN USA Silicon Valley family and friends. Later, I came across Raeena Lari, as well. 

It is so heartening to see that Pakistan Independence Day festivities in the Greater Bay Area, United States have beautifully gathered everyone from all corners and walks of life together and built the bridges between people of Pakistan and the United States of America. Pakistan Zindabad!

Pakistan azadi family festival Photo Gallery from August 18, 2024