Social Activism
In a Nutshell
It is time to open up our cultural celebrations to the broader community. One of the best ways to do this is to organize celebrate dinners on Eid or during Ramadan for the broader community. It only needs a few Pakistani or Muslim families to help organize an Iftar or Eid celebration at the local community center or civic center. The key is to invite an equal number of Muslim families as well as non-Muslim friends. You can get the city to give you a venue and get local restaurants, particularly Pakistani and Middle Eastern restaurants to donate the food at little to no cost. Bringing together the community in celebration and sharing of culture and heritage is one of the most powerful forms of social activism.
Success Stories
AA (of CA) : This year, towards the end of Ramadan, we organized an Iftar dinner celebration at our community center. We got our city officials to provide us the venue free of cost and we almost several local restaurants to donate the Iftar and dinner items. We had several families who volunteered to organize and publicize the event. We kept the event free of charge. We had local city, councilors and our mayor come and attend the event. The mayor was happy to speak to 200 attendees - local Muslim families and our non-Muslim friends and neighbors. It was an amazing evening of friendship and celebration and camaraderie. We wish we had done this each year for the last decade that we have lived in this city!
The Ask
Pick some key brands / companies that are founded and backed by Pakistani founders. Consumer - Zareens, Nani Khatai
Effort and Cost
Food cost should be low, as long as local ethnic restaurants are persuaded to highlight their brand and offerings to a large section of their local customer base. A small expense can easily be covered by small donations from the organizing families
Venue should not cost anything as the city is usually happy to support local groups in promoting their culture and traditions
Impact and Benefits
Share our culture with our neighbors, strengthening our relationship and lessening the chance of being seen as “the others” (that unfamiliarity and social distance can create).
Foster a sense of pride in our next generation in their culture heritage and traditions.
Strengthen ties between our families and especially our children. When you volunteer for and participate in an event like this, it creates or deepens their friendships
Help publicize and support local Pakistani and Muslim businesses
Scaling the play
Persuade friends in other towns and cities whom you think are able and willing to organize such celebrations in their towns. In particular, folks who are active with their local schools and community should be able to replicate this in their towns.
