To celebrate Pakistan’s 70th independence, the Consulate General of Pakistan, Toronto set up a grand Pakistan pavilion at the annual MuslimFest 2017 on 5-6 August 2017 in Celebration Square, office of the Mayor of Mississauga, Bonnie Crombie. Numerous Muslim countries participated in the 2-day festival.
The pavilion showcased models of the landmarks of four provinces of Pakistan including Badshahi Mosque, Mazar-e-Quaid, Ziarat Residency, Khyber Pass and K2. In addition, a tribal Jirga was set up where elders of the community spoke about various aspects of Pakistani society, economic and social development, including the role of minorities.
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Pakistan’s Consul-General in Toronto, said, “My appreciation to the Pakistani community in Toronto who volunteered to set-up the pavilion, provide expertise and also to the large number of people who visited the exhibition; a true progressive image of Pakistan was conveyed comprehensively.”
Visitors joined volunteers who wore traditional costumes and danced to the rhythm of popular folk tunes. An exhibition of colorful Pakistani handicrafts and designer-furniture added value to the display.
Liberal Minister Raza Moridi, NDP Leader Andrea Howarth, Conservative Leader of opposition in Ontario Patrick Brown as well as Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Paul Miller were among 3000 visitors that thronged at the festival. The pavilion also hosted a Qawali night on 6 August.
The event served to project Pakistan’s diverse culture in a wide-ranging manner enabling visitors to see Pakistan from a development, progressive and historical perspective. The community greatly appreciated the Consulate’s efforts in organizing the event.
