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Pakistani community in the UAE kick off week-long celebrations, gives tribute to the father of the nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah and tge country's martyrs
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Deputy Editor, UAE
Dubai: Hundreds of community members gathered today at diplomatic missions in the UAE pay tribute to the father of the nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah and to those who sacrificed their lives for independence and creating a separate homeland for Muslims in the subcontinent.
Though the community has planned week-long celebrations, the official events of flag hoisting were held at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and its consulate general in Dubai.
Pakistan Ambassador Moazzam Ahmed Khan raised the flag at the embassy early Thursday morning in the presence of large number of community members. School children in colourful national dresses sang national songs.
National Day messages of president and the prime minister of Pakistan were read out. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Khan recalled the struggle of Muslims of subcontinent for a separate state, practising the principles of equality, justice, and equal opportunity for all. The ambassador paid tribute to the great sacrifices made for the independence of Muslims of the subcontinent.
Khan urged all citizens of Pakistan to renew their resolve to bring their country to the forefront of the comity of nations.
In Dubai, Brigadier (retired) Jawed Hassan hoisted the flag in the presence of a large number of community members from Dubai and Northern Emirates.
He urged the community to play their role with dedication and commitment to make Pakistan an even stronger and more prosperous country.
He said that Pakistanis residing in the UAE were a valuable asset for the country and have been making a tremendous contribution to Pakistan’s economy through their remittances.
According to the latest statistics provided by the Embassy, around 1.4 million Pakistani live the UAE.
Every year Pakistan Day is celebrated on March 23 throughout the country to commemorate the adoption of the Pakistan Resolution by the All India Muslim League on March 23, 1940 at Lahore’s Minto Park which demanded a separate homeland for Muslims in South Asia.
The Pakistani Association in Dubai will hold a grand ceremony on Saturday, March 25 to mark the Pakistan National Day. A library will be opened at the association and some plans for the UAE’s Year of Giving will also be announced.
Pakistan Social Centre Sharjah is also organizing cultural and entertainment programmes today (Thursday) to mark the National Day.
What is Pakistan National Day?
Many young people especially non-Pakistanis are often confused about Pakistan Day celebrations on March 23 while the country was founded on August 14.
Well true, Pakistan Independence Day is marked on August 14 as the country was founded on the same date in 1947 but the Pakistan Day is celebrated on March 23 to mark Pakistan Resolution whereby the Muslims of the then Indian-Continent formally demanded a separate homeland for themselves.
Pakistan Resolution which was originally known as Lahore Resolution--passed on March 23, 1940, holds an immense historic importance in the history of Pakistan movement. This was the first forum where Muslims of Indian subcontinent formally demanded a separate homeland for themselves.
They had ultimately reached upon a consensus that it was not possible for the Muslims to survive in a country under an overwhelming Hindu majority. This resolution was presented on 23rd March 1940 during the annual general body meeting of All India Muslim League with founder of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah presiding the session.
The resolution mainly stated that a Muslim state be made comprising of the areas where Muslim populace exists in majority.
Although the resolution was carried away by strong emotions and unanimously accepted, still there was no clear definition of Muslim majority areas or a clear definition of the boundaries for such a Muslim state to be.
So there was to be a subsequent Delhi resolution in 1946. In this way a path to a separate identity was paved which was to later transform into an ideology.
A landmark named ‘Minar-e-Pakistan (Minaret of Pakistan) was also built at Iqbal Park --the venue of the conference in Lahore -- to commemorate the Lahore Resolution. During the British rule in the Indian-subcontinent, the Iqbal Park was called Minto Park --named after Lord Minto who was then Viceroy and Governor-General of British India.
© Gulf News 2017
