Pakistan Day celebrated with traditional zeal and respect in Chicago and its suburbs
More than 400 Pakistani community members from Chicagoland celebrated the Pakistani National Day and paid tribute to the Martyrs of New Zealand Mosque at an event in the Chicago Suburbs on Friday March 22nd, 2019 at Holiday Inn Skokie.
The 79th 'Pakistan Day' reception was hosted by the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; Chicago was also attended by many diplomats from various countries and officials of the State of Illinois Government. Mr. Roger C. Claar, Mayor of Bolingbrook was the chief guest at the event. The master of ceremony was Arshia Hasnain.
The ceremony commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Ali Khan and concluded with prayers for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan and Martyrs of New Zealand Mosque.
A minute-silence has been observed in New Zealand a week on from the terror attack at two mosques which killed 50 people including 9 Pakistani.
In this remark on the occasion, Consul General of Pakistan, Chicago Mr. Javed Ahmed Umrani highlighted the priorities of the government, progress in Pakistan-US relations and the various initiatives taken by the Consulate in especially in the last few months.
Congratulatory messages of the Governor, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Attorney General Kwame Raoul of Illinois and Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago were also read out at the event by their representatives. Mr. Roger C. Claar of Bolingbrook was the Keynote Speaker who recently visited several Cities in Pakistan last November. Part of the Program sister city between Bolingbrook and Sialkot. Mr. Claar Highlighted and explained about his trip to Pakistan. He further said "During Pakistan Village trustee and candidate Sheldon Watts, Village Trustee candidate Mary Basta, also went to Pakistan with me. We were impressed with the very nice reception we received from the Mayors of Lahore, and Sialkot our Sister city, and the Warm welcoming rom the citizens."
Mayor Claar also appreciated the role of the Pakistan Consulate Chicago for its efforts to strengthen ties between both the countries.
At the end, a scrumptious dinner and an elaborate dessert were served to all. The event was Broadcast several News Channels and media from Chicago.