KENSINGTON — More than 10,000 residents lined the streets of Brooklyn’s “Little Pakistan” on Aug. 18 to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the independence of the South Asian country.

The annual mela (Sanskrit for “gathering”) street fair celebrates Pakistan’s 1947 independence from Great Britain. 

For over 30 years, the festival, which has been held in Brooklyn since its inception, attracts Pakistani-Americans from around the country with booths of authentic Pakistani cuisine, a main stage with pop artists from Pakistan, handicrafts, boutiques and children’s entertainment.

Bringing people together

Mohammad Razvi, CEO of the Council Of People’s Organization, a non-profit group in New York City serving the South Asian community, has been organizing the event for nearly 20 years. His connection to the festival goes back even further; Razvi’s father, Abbas Razvi, founded the parade in 1990.

“I’ve been attending this event since I was a teenager,” Razvi, 52, said. “It holds a very special place in my heart.”

The message of the parade has always been helping people sustain their sense of culture, according to Razvi. 

“It’s all about bringing people together and engaging the generation of today. Its incredible diversity is what makes America, and especially Brooklyn, such a beautiful thing,” said Razvi.

A very positive event

Richie Barsamian, chairman of the Kings County Republican Party, who also attended the independence day gala, referred to the event as “a day of great pride and celebration for the Pakistani-American community.” 

“The festivities ran along Coney Island Avenue from Foster Avenue to Avenue H,” Barsamian said. “It was a wonderful day and a positive experience.” 

Barsamian pointed out that Pakistanis from all varieties of religions, genders and ages were represented, welcomed and celebrated. 

“It was more about all of us just being Brooklynites,” Barsamian noted.

‘A vital part of life’

“Pakistan is an important partner to the United States, especially in Brooklyn where the people are such a vital part of our life,” Barsamian explained. “Pakistanis are our neighbors, teachers, lawyers, merchants, police officers, and they truly love the United States.”

New York City is home to 65% of New York State’s Pakistani residents, according to a report by the Asian-American Federation. The large majority of Pakistani New Yorkers live in Brooklyn — 45% — followed by Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan.

“Up and down Coney Island Avenue it was a sea of Pakistani and American flags side by side, an honorable and proper way to celebrate everything that is good about America,” Barsamian said.