CALGARY, More than 200 Canadians of Sindhi origin gathered in a local community hall to celebrate their Annual “International Sindhi Cultural Day” on December 12th, 2015. Sindh is the home to the ancient Indus Valley civilization and is now a province in Pakistan. A vibrant Sindhi-Canadian community numbering in the thousands lives in various Canadian cities. More than 40 million Sindhis live in Sindh today and about 100 Million live in various countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and America, constituting the Sindhi Diaspora. Sindhis are supportive of democracy and secularism and have been marginalized by Pakistan’s military establishment. Sindhis around the globe are famous for their heritage emphasizing the peace, universalism, tolerance, hospitality and entrepreneurship of our culture.
This celebration was made special because of the soulful performance by a renowned Sufi Singer Mr. Rajab Faqeer from Sindh. The event was jointly organized by World Sindhi Congress (WSC), Indus Association of Canada (IAC) and Sindhi Association of North America (SANA).
Sindhis from the other cities of Canada such as Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Toronto came to participate in this evening. Those who spoke at the event included Mr. Zulfiqar Khowaja, Dr. Roshan Aara Talpur, Mr. Max Memon, Mr. Asif Panhwar, Mr. Mazhar Memon, Mr. Amanullah Panhwar and Mr. Soomro.
Everyone wore the traditional Sindhi Scarf (Ajrak) and Sindhi Caps. The hall was glittering with embroidered caps with mirrors in them worn by the kids and adults. A traditional dinner was followed by the Sufi Music Session.
“It is our largest Sindhi gathering in Calgary. Canada is our new home, and we are happy to gather today and remember our roots and our heritage,” said Mr. Zulfiqar Khowaja and Mr. Asif Panhwar.
“We will have twice as big event next year,” proclaimed Mr. Max Memon.
“We are lucky to come from the land of Sufis, who taught us the lessons of tolerance and universalism; a much needed values in the chaotic world today,” said Mr Mazhar Memon.
Organizers of the event included Max Memon, Siraj Makhdoom, Zulfiqar Khowaja, Ahmer Nadeem Memon, Samad Shaikh, Siraj Abbasi, Kelash Langhani and Asif Panhwar.