New York, December 25, Quaid-e-Azam Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, passion, devotion, and patriotic spirit in New York. The event was organized by the Pakistani-American Community Organization of Long Island (PACOLI) and held at the famous Shirazi Cafe restaurant, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. A very large portrait of Quaid-e-Azam, along with a massive 10-foot by 20-foot banner featuring the Pakistani flag, had been specially prepared and brought from Pakistan.
Chairman Bashir Qamar and his wife played a central role in the event. Bashir Qamar himself dressed up as Quaid-e-Azam, looking remarkably authentic in a beautiful cap and sherwani, just as the founder of the nation appeared. Tauqeer Haq, the president of PACOLI, portrayed Liaquat Ali Khan, wearing an elegant sherwani and carrying himself with great grace.
The most prominent part of the ceremony was the awards distribution, where outstanding children, young girls, and distinguished personalities from the Pakistani-American community were honored. Among the recipients were prominent media figures who have played a key role in uniting the community and serving its interests.
Women were dressed in glittering golden attire and formally sang national songs. They raised slogans for Pakistan’s stability, progress, prosperity, and bright future. A musical show was also arranged, and high-quality appetizers along with delicious Pakistani food were served.
The Pakistani-American community participated with full zeal, making the event a memorable celebration of Quaid-e-Azam’s legacy.
(PACOLI) hosted a vibrant and emotional celebration of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s 149th birth anniversary at the elegantly decorated Shirazi Cafe restaurant in New York. The event, filled with patriotic fervor, featured dramatic portrayals of historical figures, awards for community members, national songs, a musical show, and heartfelt speeches recalling the sacrifices made for Pakistan’s creation.
The venue was adorned with a massive banner of the Pakistani flag, specially prepared in Pakistan.
Women attendees wore glittering traditional attire and sang national songs, raising slogans for Pakistan’s stability, progress, and prosperity. Delicious Pakistani appetizers and meals were served, adding to the festive atmosphere.
A highlight was the awards ceremony, honoring outstanding children, youth, and prominent community members, including media personalities who have worked tirelessly to unite and serve the Pakistani-American diaspora.
The program featured several poignant speeches emphasizing Pakistan’s history, the Two-Nation Theory, and the ongoing relevance of Quaid-e-Azam’s vision.
Tauqeer UL Haq shared a deeply personal story of the 1947 Partition, recounting how his grandmother survived a horrific train massacre while migrating to Pakistan. She had nine siblings, all of whom were martyred except her, as attackers targeted trains carrying Muslim refugees. Hiding in haystacks, she escaped death by divine grace but lived the rest of her life in tears whenever recalling the atrocities faced by mothers, sisters, and daughters. The speaker urged gratitude for Pakistan, saying “Alhamdulillah” for the freedom to breathe in an independent homeland, and highlighted the Pakistan Armed Forces’ strong response to recent aggressions from India.
He reminded the audience that internal family disputes are natural but pale in comparison to the unity Pakistan demands, especially for those living abroad facing uncertain times in America.
Bashir Qamar continued the narrative, stressing that Pakistan welcomes its people like a mother, no matter where they are in the world. “InshaAllah, Pakistan is progressing, and we will overcome current challenges,” he said, encouraging children to study Pakistan’s history and recognize it as a nation that instills fear in its enemies.
Tauqeer in his subsequent address thanked PACOLI’s founder and welcomed guests, including elder brother Amjad Nawaz and his family. The speaker described Pakistan as the world’s only state created in the name of Islam, fulfilling Allama Iqbal’s 1930 dream of the Two-Nation Theory. He noted Quaid-e-Azam’s transition from a prominent Congress leader to founding the Muslim League at Iqbal’s urging, leading to independence in 1947.
Drawing a contemporary parallel, Hamyyun Safdar referenced a recent incident in India where the Chief Minister of Haryana forcibly removed the niqab of a Muslim female doctor—a widely condemned act that sparked outrage. “If Pakistan had not been created, this could have been the fate of our mothers and sisters today,” he warned, underscoring the enduring importance of a separate homeland for Muslims.
Another speaker Arshad Bhai outlined PACOLI’s mission: a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-religious, non-political, and nonpartisan organization dedicated to serving the Pakistani-American community in New York. Its goals include building bridges with broader American society through awareness, civic engagement, unity, women’s empowerment, youth leadership, and preserving Urdu language and culture via seminars and festivals. Outreach efforts include food drives, soup kitchens, and voter registration.
Bashir Qamar reflected on the challenges of community service, noting his 40-45 years of dedication alongside others. He praised portrayals of historical figures like Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal, and Fatima Jinnah, emphasizing that creating Pakistan required far greater sacrifice than dressing up for a role. Calling for renewed commitment to improve Pakistan and support community work without expecting financial returns, he urged younger members to step forward. “We do this from our pockets with sincerity—appreciate those who serve selflessly,” he said.
The event concluded on a note of unity and hope, reinforcing the community’s strong ties to Pakistan while contributing positively to life in America. Attendees left inspired, pledging to pass on the legacy of Quaid-e-Azam to the next generation.
The PACOLI Executives among them Shahid Ranjah and Atiq Qadri also made great impression wearing traditional caps and knitted Shairwanies .
Molana Tasswer Gilani recited Holy Quran and prayed for the peace and stability in Pakistan .
The most glamorous item in the event was the “ Mather Millat get up “ one of the PACOLI director was wearing white knitted dress just looks like Quaid E Azam sister .
At the Quaid-e-Azam Day event organized by PACOLI, awards were presented to prominent Pakistani-American personalities from various fields in recognition of their services. The awardees included Deputy Inspector New York Police Waheed Akhtar, Arif Soni, Riaz Babar, Nahid Bhatti, Talib Sheikh, Khurram Khan, Syed Tasawwar ul Hassan Shah Geelani, Iqbal Khokhar, Aslam Baig, Azra Dar, Wakeel Ansari, Hameed Malik, Pervez Mahmood, Attorney Khalid Azam, Atiq Siddiqui, Bano Qazi, Amjad Nawaz, Zaman Afridi, Farooq Mirza, Malik Jameel, Arif Khan, and Mujeeb Lodhi. Among them, Bano Qazi, Khurram Khan, Arif Khan, and Aslam Baig were also specifically honored.
Awards were also presented to PACOLI officials in recognition of their services, including Ms. Tasneem Qamar, Safdar Humayun Qureshi, Arshad Hussain, Hanif Rehman, Atiq Qadri, Azfar Zaidi, Shagufta Khan, Shazia Hussain, and Alisha Bari.
PACOLI also presented citations to commend the services of Shahid Ranjha, Sameer Hussain, Rebal ul Haq, Rams ul Haq, Dua Tauqeer, Muhammad Azan ul Haq, Alina Qamar, Iyaan Khan, Fajr Zaidi, Sufyan Qureshi, Abubakar Aashiq, and others. However, awards were not presented to Aslam Baig and Arif Khan as they were not present at the event.
Over forty guests were presented with gifts of Sindhi caps and Ajrak, placed in beautiful bags featuring an image of Quaid-e-Azam.
PACOLI Youth were also awarded citations for their services. The recipients included:
Sameer Hussain, Rebal ul Haq, Rams ul Haq, Dua Tauqeer, Muhammad Azan ul Haq, Alina Qamar, Iyaan Khan, and Abubakar Aashiq.
