Anniversary of Pakistan independence marked at festival at Babylon Town Hall Park

Pakistani pride was on full display at Babylon Town Hall Park on Saturday as the community celebrated the nation’s 77th anniversary of independence from British rule.

Dozens of people in vibrant jewel-toned scarves browsed a small fair as kebabs sizzled over a charcoal grill and lively Urdu folk songs played in the background.

The festivities were organized by the Empowered Muslim Women of New York, a nonprofit that seeks to instill confidence in Muslim women through education, employment and leadership.

Founder Shazia Jabeen, of East Northport, said Saturday’s celebration was all about showcasing Pakistan’s rich culture through food, music and community. “It can reduce hate crimes and Islamophobia,” she said.

Jabeen said Saturday’s event marked the first-ever celebration of Pakistan’s ​​Independence Day in Suffolk County.

Pakistan was declared a sovereign nation in 1947, after Britain partitioned the subcontinent into two nations, India and Pakistan, based on religious lines. Pakistan officially observes Independence Day on Aug. 14.

Attendees said the event is a way to show pride in their homeland while teaching younger generations about their heritage.

“The Muslim community is growing in Suffolk County,” said Farzana Begum, of Commack. “We want our children to come out and be proud of their identity, but at the same time, we’re part of this country and want them to acclimate.”

About 4.3% of Suffolk County’s 1.5 million residents are Asian, according to the 2020 census. Religious leaders have estimated the Muslim community includes 100,000 people in Suffolk, Newsday reported earlier this year.

Asad Riaz, a 14-year-old from Commack, said Independence Day is one of his favorite traditions. “All the Pakistani people become united and really embrace being Pakistani,” he said. 

Asad was selling event T-shirts while his sister, Anam, offered green and white face painting designs for the holiday. “Pakistanis are so patriotic, so seeing that represented within Long Island lets us embrace our Pakistani side,” Anam, 17, said.

The main attraction was set for Saturday evening, with performances and speeches by local lawmakers. Children performed a cultural showcase of traditional dances from Pakistan’s four provinces before a set by Pakistani musician Sanwal Esakhelvi.

Jabeen, who immigrated to New York from Karachi, Pakistan, in 2004, grew emotional as she recalled stories passed down from elders about gaining independence.

“It was a very extreme situation,” she said. “There was no religious freedom, no political freedom.”

That moving history underscored the jubilant celebration.

“We have to honor those who sacrificed for Pakistan and brought this beautiful country to us,” Jabeen said.