Flag ceremony hosted at Milpitas on Pakistan's 70th Independence Day
From community members to local politicians, around 100 people gathered at Pakistani cultural centre
(Web Desk) – A ground-level flag ceremony was hosted by members of Pakistani community at Milpitas, city in the US State California. People showed up in large number to celebrate the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan.
Pakistani American Culture Center outside Milpitas City Hall was lit up with joy as community members, local politicians and organisers hoisted flags of Pakistan and the US before singing their respective national anthems. The attendees were entertained by live music, traditional cuisine, and speeches of known faces, including Vice Mayor Marsha Grilli and Pakistani motorcyclist Moin Khan who once rode 25,000 miles from San Francisco to Lahore.
Speaking to the event, Vice Mayor highlighted that the world had seen difficult times in the recent part, encouraging the people of her city to unite against hate. “As a community we are here to support our (Pakistani) residents … We want to congratulate you on your independence day and remind you that we are all one,” she said.
Assemblyman Kansen Chu and County Supervisor Dave Cortese recalled the services of Pakistani Americans for the country and paid them a tribute. As many as 40,000 Pakistani Americans reside in San Francisco Bay Area. They are recognised as a distinguished community while people respect their norms and culture. To Pakistanis in America, August 14 holds the status of Fourth of July, said Asghar Aboobaker who founded the cultural centre.
The story was originally published in The Mercury News by Aliyah Mohammed
