Review by Muhammad Yahya

The Pakistan American Cultural Association (commonly referred to as PACA) was founded seven years ago to bring the Pakistani community of San Diego together, and to represent this community in cultural, social, religious, political, and other forums. During these years, PACA has been represented by executive committees elected by the community on annual and bi-annual basis. Consequently, different individuals had the opportunity to represent and serve the Pakistani community. All the committees elected so far have been very active in getting the community together on different occasions like Ramadan, Eid, Pakistan Independence Day, etc. PACA has also arranged for many musical concerts and othr fun activities like the 'Chand Raat Mehnidi'. Additionally, PACA arranged for the visit by the then Consul General of Pakistan in Los Angeles, Honorable Asma Anisa, and other well-known personalities.

One of the most prominent contributions made by PACA has been the introduction of the 'Iftar" dinners at the beautiful Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD). Started seven years ago by the then executive committee of PACA, the "Iftar" dinner arranged by PACA during the month of Ramadan on each Saturday has become a popular annual event. This initiative has taken PACA's recognition past the boundaries of the Pakistani community and has made its name well-known among the entire Muslim community of San Diego. On the average, a total of up to four hundred people are served dinner by PACA every Saturday in Ramadan. This dinner is served free of cost and is open to the entire Muslim community of San Diego.

Each year, a donation drive is started by the PACA officials and volunteers who contact the Pakistani community members, and the community members have always been generous in their contributions. The total sum of contributions has been on the rise each year. In fact this project always ends up in surplus funds which are used by PACA to make donations to the Islamic Center of San Diego and other worthy causes. Consequently, PACA, and thus the Pakistani community, has been publicly recognized by the Islamic Center of San Diego as an example to be followed by other communities. Moreover, it is a well-known fact that following the tradition set by the Pakistani community of San Diego, now the 'Iftar' dinner is served every day of Ramadan at the Islamic Center of San Diego by different groups and individuals from the Muslim community of San Diego.

Like all previous years, PACA was very active this year during Ramadan and Eid as well. A nice dinner was served every Saturday during the holy month. A women-only 'Chand Raat Mehnidi' was held where close to eighty ladies participated in the activities. Finally, a dinner and musical concert was held on the week-end following the Eid. The musical entertainment was provided by Mehmood and his band from Phoenix, Arizona. Even though the band members are Afghans by origin, this band carries an excellent repertoire of songs from the Indo-Pak subcontinent, including Urdu, Hindi, Pushto, and Persian. In addition to the members of the Pakistani community, a good number of Afghan audience were present at this show as well. The audience actively participated by dancing, chanting, and clapping. Outdoors, the rain-showers offered a rare, monsoon-like evening in the city of San Diego, while indoors, melody of up beat music was accompanied by the charming rhythm of multi-cultural dance styles from the East. Altogether, PACA ended this calendar year on a very positive note - all credit goes to the current executive committee, the volunteers, and most of all, the wonderful Pakistani community of San Diego.