The American Muslim Voice Foundation (AMV Foundation) celebrated Pakistan’s Independence Day at the Santa Clara County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. The event was co-sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee.
A crowd of over 200 Pakistanis dressed mostly in green and white sat down for the festivities. Machelle Ahmed, who attends The Boston Conservatory at the Berklee College of Music, sang the U.S. national anthem followed by the entire crowd singing the Pakistani national anthem.
Santa Clara County Supervisors Cindy Chavez and Otto Lee presented the AMV Foundation with a proclamation that Aug. 14 was Pakistani Independence Day in Santa Clara County.
Also presented to the Foundation was a certificate of recognition from the offices of California Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Alex Lee along with a certificate from the California Senate.
U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna’s office presented the Foundation with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.
The celebration ended with samosa snacks, and songs celebrating Pakistan.
High school student Omar Farooq makes jokes about Pakistani moms and dads at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
An older man sits in the audience at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
American Muslim Voice Foundation’s Founding Executive Director Samina Sundas speaks to the crowd asking people to pray for Pakistan at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Almas Shabvani sings “Sohni Dhurti Allah” at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Shagufta Ahmed (center) takes a selfie with two friends at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Naiel Ahmed Chaudry sings “Jazbah Junoon” at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Emcee Sahar Farooq and Samina Sundas have a discussion at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Guests start lining up for snacks at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
A man wears a Sindhi topi at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Shahida Malik and her children sing “Jeevay Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan” at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
American Muslim Voice Foundation Activity Coordinator Shamsa Rafay makes closing remarks at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Reshma Hyder takes a selfie with a friend at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Sahar Farooq tries to organize the kids on stage at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Zareena Anwar and son Deen Malik, 6, hold a Pakistani national flag at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
The crowd at the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and the American Muslim Voice Foundation at the County Government Center in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.