Pakistani Americans Community celebrates Pakistan 73rd Independence Day in a patriotic zest in Chicago
The Pakistani parade committee of Greater Chicago celebrated Pakistan's 73rd Independence Day with a great deal of fervor at the Devon Avenue, Chicago on Sunday, August 18, 2019. The official celebration is on August 14th. Due to religious festival they celebrate few days after the actual date. Very sunny, warm temperatures with high humidity greeted the Pakistani parade and Pakistani Community.
The Parade starts from the corner of Devon Avenue and Damen Avenue around 12:30 pm. The large group of prominent Pakistanis march toward stage. Which was located corner of Devon Avenue and Claremont Avenue set for the viewing of the floats and short ceremony.
Pakistani community members and spectators waved from the sidewalks and from outside and in front of the stores that lined the route. The crowd was screaming "Pakistan Zindabad" and "Free Kashmir". Pakistani and American flags dominated the parade floats and cars. They also raised slogans of "Pakistan Zindabad" and" Kashmir Banay ga Pakistan" slogans. Attendees wave the Pakistan's national flag and Kashmir's flag during the ceremony. Numbers of community members and leaders chanted slogans in support of the Kashmiri people's struggle for freedom. Children and Youngster were cloths representing various regions of Pakistan.
Several shops and stores in the Devon avenue were selling and given away Pakistani flags, masks, clothes, balloons, and other type of decorated items which carried the Independence Day messages.
The event started off with the customary recitation from the Holy Qur'an with translation by Syed Abdan Ullah. American national anthem and then the Pakistan national anthem were sung at the event. The host of the Stage program was Ms. Bushra Khan.
Many Pakistan United Parade Committee Greater Chicago leaders performed short speech. The speeches were brief but impressive. Chairman Syed Azhar Shah, President Dr. Wasiullah Khan and Board member Hameed Ullah Khan perform speeches.
Attendees from many parts of Chicago and suburb came with their friends and family members and enjoyed and Celebrate Pakistani Independent Day.