ALKHOBAR, 28 March 2003 — Pakistan Day was celebrated enthusiastically at the Al-Rezayat Compound recently. Patriotic Pakistanis pooled their resources to organize an informal variety program attended by distinguished guests.
Mrs. Kauser Awais who compered the program explained the significance of Pakistan Day in her opening address. “We must teach our children why the two-nation theory evolved and resulted in the creation of Pakistan.
“Times are hard in Kashmir and Chechnya. We must finish our differences and become true Muslims.”
Guest of honor was Sardar Ghalib of Abdullah Fouad Co. who hoisted the Pakistani flag.
He praised the patriotism of Pakistanis. “My village had a per capita income of perhaps 300 rupees but they were rich in patriotism. And they proved that by holding the village during an enemy attack in the 1965 war till the regular army arrived,” he said.
Ghalib, who has lived in Saudi Arabia for thirty years, said the Pakistani children born in Saudi Arabia could not have the same strong feelings for Pakistan as their parents “unless we do something for them.” He suggested a platform to organize essay competitions and similar activities which would encourage the children to find out facts about Pakistan.
The program included musical performances from children and adults. Two skits stood out. One written by Tazeen Iftikhar showed the spirits of two boys and a girl, whose conversation the audience clearly enjoyed.
The second skit, by Nadeem Khwaja, was a sharp satire of corruption in Pakistani society.
The podium was thrown open afterward to all who wanted to showcase their talent. People enthusiastically sang patriotic songs and read Parveen Shakir’s poems, while children provided more entertainment singing nursery rhymes.
Everyone was declared a winner. Gulrez Butt, of King Faisal University had them rolling in the aisles with his jokes, which are soon to be collected in a book.
It was due to the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Awais, Mr. and Mrs. Iftikhar, Khalid Khan, Nadeem and Majida Khwaja that the Pakistan Day celebrations were such a success.