This blog post is written by Imaan Zaheer, an APF Intern and undergraduate political science and communications student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who aspires to a career in the legal field. Imaan served as Project Manager of APF’s Heritage Week (August 10-August 17, 2024), which was designed to profile the Pakistani culture, heritage and Independence Day festivities and as part of the celebration of 15 years of the American Pakistan Foundation.

Hello everyone!

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of Heritage Week, whether by assisting or attending. Your dedication made this week truly exceptional, and I’m incredibly proud of the team that helped bring it all together.

We kicked off the week with a webinar celebrating 15 Years of APF and the Spirit of Pakistan, featuring remarkable speakers. Dr. Adil Najam shared insights on preserving Pakistan's cultural heritage in his capacity as President of WWF. APF’s Dr. M. Nasar Quresh (Board Chair), Ammad Mahmood (Leadership Council Chair), and Dr. Syra Madad (Board Member and Rising Stars Board Lead) led a discussion on the future of APF, focusing on its impact on young adults and women. Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, provided valuable perspectives on Pakistan’s role in the global community.

Our second webinar, Pakistani Pioneers in Health Tech, was equally inspiring. Mahmood Panjwani (APF Board member), Sara Rana, MD, MBA, and Mariam Nusrat (APF 2023 Rising Star) explored topics ranging from the expansion of AI in healthcare to the experiences of CEOs and founders in the industry.

For our third webinar, we were delighted to have Hania Chima and Bilal Sami discuss, The Evolution of Art and Cinema in Pakistan. They offered insights into creating a supportive environment in a challenging industry and navigating uncertainties in the creative process.

Professor Waqar Azeem from Binghamton University led an insightful session exploring Pakistani American Literature and the role of identity politics for Pakistani Americans. His book recommendations are a must for anyone looking to expand their reading list!

We also launched our first podcast of the week, featuring Shanaz Ramzi, CEO of StarLinks PR and Events, and President of TravelinPk. Titled Savoring Heritage: The Culinary Journey of Pakistani Cuisine and its Communities, the podcast dives into the evolving role of cuisine in our lives—perfect for those looking to broaden their culinary horizons!

On Instagram, you may have caught some fantastic informational videos by digital storyteller Rida Ali. She explored Coke Studio’s Transformation of Pakistan’s Music Industry and its generational impact. Don’t miss out—check out her page @freespiritrida for more engaging content about Pakistan!

Our second podcast, The Journey, Style, and Business of Pakistani Fashion, featured prominent designers Shamaeel Ansari and Zainab Salman in separate interviews. They shared their stories of hard work, perseverance, and success in the fashion industry.

Finally, I encourage you to read a heartwarming blog post by Mehwish Nasir, a member of the APF Leadership Council and WEST Network Ambassador. She beautifully captures the essence of the 2024 Pakistan Independence Day Celebrations in the Greater Bay Area.

A special thank you APF and the Leadership Council community, particularly Maha Butt, Amber Chaudhry (APF 2023 Rising Star), Khadijah Zahid, Imaan Mirza, Sadia Malik, and Mustafa Mohammad for being outstanding hosts and moderators. They did an amazing job keeping conversations flowing and guiding us through special topics.

As we reflect on this year’s Heritage Week success, we’re excited to share that we’re hoping to plan more in-person events next year! We’ve also learned to utilize even more communication avenues, which we believe will help us engage even more with our community.

Kindly,

Imaan Zaheer