Maine Township officials (from left) Karen Dimond, trustees Kelly Horvath, James Maher, Kimberly Jones, and Clerk Peter Gialamas, were recognized at a celebration of Pakistan’s independence Sunday at Dee Park. (Tom Robb/Journal photo)
In 1947, the British Empire partitioned the Indian Subcontinent and granted India and Pakistan their independence within one day of each other. Two celebrations of that independence took place at Dee Park in unincorporated Des Plaines last weekend.
With thousands in attendance, the celebration of Indian independence took place Saturday night, while the celebration of Pakistani independence took place Sunday at the park at Dee and Emerson.
Entertainment for Saturday’s event included Indian musicians and dancers. Sunday’s event featured the Pakistani band Malkoo with singer Sara Altaf from Pakistan.
Pakistani band Malkoo takes the stage at a celebration of Pakistan’s 77th anniversary of the country’s independence. (Tom Robb/Journal photo)
Crowds at Sunday’s event were estimated at about 4,500. Crowds for Saturday’s Indian event were estimated at about half that — possibly due to heavy storms that rolled through the area that evening.
Public officials attending both events, largely organized by Maine Township Trustee Asif Malik, included most Maine Township elected officials, Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski, Park Ridge Mayor Marty Maloney, and State Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-56th).
Park Ridge Mayor Marty Maloney (left) with Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski attend a celebration of Pakistan’s 77th anniversary of the country’s independence at Dee Park in unincorporated Maine Township last Sunday, attended by about 4,500 people. (Tom Robb/Journal photo)
Saturday’s Indian Independence Day event was also attended by State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-28th). Murphy attended Democratic National Convention events Sunday, but a state proclamation honoring Pakistani Independence Day from Murphy was presented to Tariq Karim, the consul general of Pakistan for Chicago.
Acting as emcee for the event was Salman Aftab, chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Community Engagement Council, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Office of Community Engagement.
Besides food and entertainment, those attending Sunday’s Pakistani Independence Day celebration in Dee Park could shop for traditional Pakistani dresses. (Tom Robb/Journal photo)
One guest who spoke at the Pakistani event was Brad Curry, chief of staff to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Curry said the sheriff’s department has formed a Muslim advisory council and started a 24-hour discrimination and hate crime hotline, vowing to have every complaint investigated. He said all sheriff’s police officers receive Muslim sensitivity training and said the sheriff’s office monitors all attacks on Muslims, worldwide, during the holy month of Ramadan.
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