Embassy participates in Meena Bazaar Spring time deviation from routine for Washingtonians

WASHINGTON, May 9 (APP)- For a large number of Washingtonians it was a different weekend on Saturday, visiting the daylong International Meena Bazaar, on the main Massachusetts Avenue, enjoying rich variety of exotic food and sweets, and buying gifts of handicrafts, art works, clothing, kitchenware, house decore, wall spreads and rugs.

The daylong event was held by the Muslim Women's Association (MWA), at the Islamic Center, and Mrs. Abida Qazi, wife of the Pakistan Ambassador, who is senior vice chairman of the Association, was the chief guest.

MWA has 37 Muslim countries as its members, and wives of the ambassadors of the respective states as its office-bearers and members.

This year, in all 17 countries took part in the annual event, which attracted art lovers, fashion designers, house wives, scholars, officials and keen cultural event watchers,besides general public.

It was a bright perfect spring day, and those passers by and joggers also walked in.

There were others, who had been visiting the annual event for many decades since 1960 when the MWA was established, or those who had been to Muslim countries, and knew what peculiar food and handicraft varieties they offer.

The eatables the visitors enjoyed most were biryani, pulau, chholey, dahee bhaley or samosas, as well as sweet dishes.

Many merely had searching queries like "why vermicillies had more sugar and milk content?," or dahee bhaleys were rife with red chillies. Others said,they were there to enjoy the uncommon crisp and sharp flavours found in peculiar Asian, Middle Eastern, African, Central Asian or Far Eastern cuisine.

There were young couples who had such fantastic queries as:"does Islam allow females to attend and organize such functions?."

The countries participating in the Bazaar this year included Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Sudan, Bahrain, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Yemen, Kuwait, Morocco, Gambia, and Senegal.

Mrs. Abida Qazi, talking to APP said it is a voluntary venture, which is robust enough to attract enthusiastic crowds.

The proceeds from these stalls go to charity for award of scholarships to girls of Muslim countries. There is a well laid out procedure of supporting deserving cases of such girls who attain distinctions or good grades in their education, so that they could pursue their higher learning, based on the criteria of merit and qualification alone. Many such talented students are now pursuing their higher learning in medical, computer science and other fields in George Washington University and John Hopkins, University of Maryland, etc.

Of the Bazaar, Begum Qazi said, we at the same time are promoting our products. She said, food items such as 'shami kebabs,' 'biryani,' and 'samosas' find ready buyers.

To a question, she said the number of participating countries in the International Bazaar is increasing year after year.

About large crowds of foreigners, she said it makes it manifestly clear that the event is a wide success. We are interested that the visitors see "the positiveside of our rich culture."

"They are appreciative of the rich variety of eatables, art and decoration pieces on display at the stalls are an expression of diversity of Muslim culture, which is varied, unique, attractive and highly valuable."

She also referred to a major event held two months back in which she had invited the wives of high U.S. officials including those of Secretary Powell,Secretary Rumsfeld and CJCS General Myers, and academicians at the Islamic Center and later at a lecture by Prof. Akber S. Ahmed at the Ambassador's residence.

Begum Syed Hasan Ahmed, wife of Bangladesh ambassador, said see the beaming faces of ladies from Muslim states, who were tasked to manage the affairs of stalls of their respective countries, as salespersons or promoters.

Ms. Fifi Oconnor, chairperson of MWA, said presently some seven bright girlstudents were receiving scholarships from the annual proceeds of the meena bazaars, which have a social and cultural purpose.

Howaida A. Ahmed, wife of Amb. Khidir Ahmed of Sudan, said the handmade products have many buyers.

Robert Boucher, a fan of sub-continental cuisine, said he has been attending the event for the last many years, and understands that interaction among the Muslim fraternity and those visiting these stalls "must increase more," and added: "It should open up to American public."

Meanwhile, there was a table for registration of American voters chaired by Omar Dadi, who impressed the need for involvement in the American system, which offers opportunities for those who venture and prove their talent and capability.

He impressed the need for using mosques as cultural centers, on the patternof churches and synagogues.

Farzad Darui, manager, Islamic Center, said it the 22nd year that he has been attending this annual feature. The event, he said adds glory to faith in Islam by proving through example that Islam is not averse to womenfolk.

During the last three years, he said President Bush has visited the Islamic Center twice, while Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, visited it last year.

The Muslim Women's Association (MWA) was set up in 1960 by Begum Aziz Ahmad, wife of Pakistan ambassador to Washington.