QSindhis, a social and community welfare organisation of expatriate Pakistanis in Qatar, organised a colourful function to mark Sindhi Cultural Day at Al Waha Club, Al Khor.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Muhammed Aejaz was the chief guest while Captain Ali Hassan Al Mohannadi from the Community Police Department of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) attended the event as special guest. Pakistan Embassy’s Community Welfare Attache Waheed Ullah Khan, PIS-Q Principal Nargis Raza Otho and representatives of various Pakistani forums attended the event.
Community members, with families and children, were dressed up in Sindhi cultural dresses with ajrak (shawl) and topi (cap) reflecting unity and pride of Sindh’s rich culture. The event commenced with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Jam Sarfraz Shaito followed by a naat by Hafiz Attaullah.
Core Committee lead Junaid Mahar said the purpose of organising such an event was to promote and showcase different colours of Sindh and its rich culture. He highlighted the historical significance of Sindh, citing the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro as evidence of the region’s contributions to the invention of cloth and the wheel.
Rania Muhammad, a PIS-Q student, shared information on the culture, history, traditions, clothing, food, music, and sports of Sindh.
Ghulam Murtaza Bhanbhro, a member of QSindhis, presented ajrak, a symbol of Sindhi culture and tradition, to Jassim Mohammed Ashkanani, head of Clubs and Recreational Facilities at Al Khor Community, Qatar Gas while Latief Memon presented ajrak to the ambassador.
Speaking on the occasion, the envoy praised the efforts of the Sindhi community living in Qatar, describing them as "well-organised, well-educated, and true to their roots”. He also praised the beautiful cultural show and urged the community to broaden their cross-cultural connectivity.
The programme also featured performances by Anina Fida and Zamin Ali, the guest singers from Sindh, who regaled the audience with popular folk songs.
Sajjad Suhag compered the event that concluded with Ho Jamalo, a Sindhi folk song and associated dance. The performance is about 19th century folk hero Jamalo Khoso Baloch.
An exhibition of handcrafts of Sindh and replicas of antiques found from Mohenjo-daro was arranged by Rahmatullah Bhutto, Abdul Qadeer Dogar, Saad Dogar and Gahi Khan Solangi.