DUBAI // Green-and-white flags waved in Dubai as hundreds cheered “Pakistan Zindabad” – long live Pakistan – to mark the country’s 69th independence day.
As Pakistan’s flag was raised on Friday morning at the country’s consulate, those gathered looked on with a sense of pride and resolve.
From children having their faces painted in their country’s flag to the older generation customising their clothes with pictures of Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammed Ali Jinnah, it was also a way for many to reconnect with the country.
“This is a very special day for Pakistanis here in the UAE because it gives us a chance to celebrate our nation,” said Javed Jalil Khattak, Pakistan’s consul general.
“You can see by the turnout that this is something Pakistanis feel very strongly about and want to show their pride in their home nation.
“The atmosphere has been wonderful throughout the flag-raising ceremony and now and there is a real sense of belonging.”
A similar ceremony was also held at Pakistan’s embassy in Abu Dhabi.
After a speech by Mr Khattak, food was served by Ravi Restaurant to members of the public.
Businessman Syed Muhammed, 21, arrived at the event with eight friends.
“I’ve lived in Dubai for 12 years and have attended this event every year,” he said.
“I feel very proud to be a Pakistani but sometimes I think as expats we can get detached a little from those back home.”
He recently returned from a visit to his homeland and was looking forward to his next visit.
“I went to Kashmir and the beauty of the place was amazing and I hope to go back soon,” Mr Muhammed said.
For his friend Rahid Ali, 25, who works as a driver, it was a chance to relax with friends and think of home.
“There is a good turnout, but this is only the beginning of the celebrations,” he said.
“Later this afternoon we’ll be going to Mamzar beach to continue the celebrations.
“It’s become a bit of a tradition for people to go there to celebrate independence day and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Danish Shamim, 33, an IT consultant, was attending for the first time.
“I loved being here because it’s rare to be able to celebrate such an occasion with like-minded people,” he said, as his young nieces ran and played excitedly with other children.
“It was a proud moment when the flag was raised and the national anthem was sung.
“It created a great atmosphere and you could see people were very proud to honour our country like this.”
Although hundreds of people attended, Mr Shamim, who came along with family members, felt it could have been better advertised.
“We only found out about this through friends, so I think if the consulate had advertised it then more people would have come,” he said.
Faisal Ikram, general secretary of the Pakistan Association Dubai, said: “There are people of all backgrounds and ages here today and that is wonderful to see.
“We have families and groups of young friends all sharing this special occasion and it’s been a very relaxed atmosphere.
“Considering it is so early on a Friday to have so many people here is wonderful and many have taken the time to prepare with flags and face paint.”
As well as the flag-raising ceremony, the association also organised a cultural evening at Pakistan Education Academy in Oud Metha, where visitors were entertained by songs, traditional dance, music and food.
“The UAE is home to 1.6 million Pakistanis and it is a good home but days like today remind us of our own history and traditions and that is very important,” added Mr Ikram.
Sheikh Khalifa, the President of the UAE, sent a congratulatory cable to Pakistani president Mamnoon Hussain.
Similar greetings were sent to the Pakistani president by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
nhanif@thenational.ae
