Pakistani community celebrates culture and heritage at National Multicultural Festival

Shafqat Ali

The National Multicultural Festival, celebrating the cultural diversity of the Australian population, was held in the CPD of Canberra, ACT from Friday 17 February to Sunday 19 February

2023. Over 100 Pakistani members participated in the cultural parade, holding flags and chanting national songs. The kids wore cultural dresses and marched through the streets of Canberra. Food stalls and stages showcased performances from local and international artists.

Miss Shafaq Jafery, president of APWA, took her team to set up a stall to promote the Pakistani community and their culture. They also took part in the parade. Shafqat Ali, president of Young Innovators of Australia, and his team came from Sydney to promote and support the community. Munawar Rafeeq from OSS Imports donated Pakistani food products to the community to introduce them to try products in Pakistan.

The festival, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year, is a national event and an excellent opportunity to experience the vibrant and diverse cultural scene in Canberra and to celebrate the multiculturalism that makes Australia such a unique and interesting place. Multiple stalls were set up to promote Pakistani handicrafts, clothes, and other items. Workshops, cultural talks, and exhibitions offered visitors the opportunity to learn more about different cultures and traditions.

Miss Asiya Mahar played a great role in the coordination of different community groups. Sujahir Ul Islam covered the whole event on behalf of PakOz, going live while the event was occurring and taking many videos and pictures along the way.

Multicultural events allow us to celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, and backgrounds that make up our country. They allow us to showcase and learn about different customs, beliefs, and ways of life. These events help to build understanding and em- pathy among diverse communities. When we come together and learn about each other’s cultures, we can better appreciate our differences and find common ground. In these events, people can learn about the history, traditions, and values of different cultures, as well as provide opportunities to learn new skills and try new things.

The event was well supported by the Pa- kistan High Commissioner, Mr Zahid Hafiz Chaudhri, and his team.

Clips and live streams can be seen on the PakAussie Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/PakAussie/

Shafqat Ali is the Founder/President of Young Innovators Australia. He is a Trainer, Youth Mentor, Author and Consultant.