PAKISTAN CANADA ASSOCIATION CALGARY – NEWSLETTER – MAR-MAY 2015
PCA Executive
Committee
-------------President
M. Yaseen
403 616 9078
Vice President
Habib Abudullah
403 852 6353
General Secretary
Shahid Ali Khan
403 861 0517
Joint Secretary
Ch. Azhar Hunjra
403 630 5925
Treasurer
Ansar Qureshi
403 620 0952
Public Relations
Director
Dr. Tasnim Waqar
403 207 5852
Sports & Youth
Director
Ansar Choudary
403 830 7265
Social Director
Mahnoor Azam
403 697 4756
President's Message
Asslam-o- Alaikum:
This newsletter will highlight PCA’s activities in the past year as well as describe our upcoming activities. I am very
pleased to report that with the community’s full cooperation, support and participation, PCA has had another very successful
year. In the last year , we held numerous successful functions and completed a number of new community projects and
initiatives. Our activities included Free Soccer & Cricket Summer Camp organized by PCA Youth and Sports Club, PCA
Chaand Raat Mela, Pakistan Independence Day Program & Eid ul Fitr Celebrations, Grand Mushaira with special guests from
Pakistan including famous writer and poet Mr. Atta ul Haq Qasmi, Urdu Classes inauguration by Ata ul Haq Qasmi,
completion of PCA Hall Renovation Project, Community Vigil & Duaa for Peshawar School Victims, PCA Land Project
Community Meetings & Donors/Volunteer Appreciation Lunch and most importantly starting PCA Urdu Classes and
Monthly Seniors Meetings. Among our many accomplishments, we take pride in Urdu Classes, Monthly Senior’s Meetings,
completion of PCA Cultural Centre and fundraising for PCA Land Project. In addition, I am also very happy to report that
PCA applied for and received another matching grant in the amount of $50K at the end of last year in recognition and
support of community services offered at PCA hall.
As part of our image building initiative PCA continued to build and enhance rapport with other community organizations
as well as all levels of governments - municipal, provincial and federal. Government representatives/officials regularly
attended PCA programs and praised our community for its contribution to this city and province. O n be half o f
PCA , I am s o thank fu l for y ou r s u pport, tru s t and confid e nc e .
M. Yaseen
Year In Review:
PCA Youth Sports Club – Free Soccer & Cricket Summer Camp – June 2014:
Last year with the help of dedicated volunteers, PCA has started a free coaching camp for youth ages 8 to 16. Soccer and
Cricket coaching classes were offered at no cost. This program can expand across the city. For more information regarding
2015 registration and volunteering, please contact the PCA executives.
PCA Chaand Raat Mela – July 2014:
Eid ul Fitr Chand Raat Mela, organized by the PCA ladies wing, was held at PCA House. This fun program for the ladies was
well attended. It was a family fun event. Refreshments were provided by PCA. All participants enjoyed the event.
PCA Urdu Classes – July 2014:
This was a new but historic beginning. PCA was able to initiate the first ever Urdu Classes Pilot Project facilitated by our
community volunteer teachers and PCA executives. The main objective of the pilot project was to educate basic Urdu
language skills to children between the ages of 6-13. Volunteers and teachers engaged with students to create the learning
environment. Students were able to learn, to write and read Urdu sentences, enhance vocabulary, and grammar in three
different levels. Based on parent, teacher and student feedback on pilot project, PCA decided to continue Urdu Classes. We
are thankful to our teachers; Saira Mahmood, Bushra Ahtisham, Zufreen Asrar, Tahreem Asrar, Mashal Azam, Mamoona
Warraich and many more including our Class Co-ordinator Mahnoor Azam. The current session has variation in levels.
We have recently received expressions of interest for adult Urdu lessons as well. We are exploring ways to resource
adult classes. We need committed volunteers. If you wish to volunteer for Urdu classes, please contact any PCA
Executive.
Pakistan Independence Day Program and Eid ul Fitr Celebrations – August, 2014:
This was another successful event. Mr. Atta ul Haq Qasmi, a famous writer and poet who came especially from Pakistan,
was our guest of honour. The event was also attended by MPs, MLAs, Councillors, and leaders of various community
organizations. We are so thankful to Mrs. Nazira Ali Shah, all Urdu Class teachers and the rest of volunteers for preparing
children for a number of stage items including a beautiful tablo “Lab pay aati hay duaa ben kay tamunna meiry.”
Grand Mushaira with Atta ul Haq Qasmi – August, 2014:
PCA organized a free grand mushaira with Ata ul Haq Qasami as the chief guest along with local poets at PCA House.
Large number of people from the community attended this literary event which was a fun filled and much appreciated. We
are thankful to Dr. Mazhar Siddiqui, Mr. Javed Nizami, Mr. Shahid Pervez, Dr. Qasim Syed, Tahir Hammad and especially
Mr. Tahir Alvi for their participation and support for this program.
Community Open House – August, 2014:
A community open house was held with our guest Atta ul Haq Qasmi and poet and writer Uzair Ahmed. People from all quadrants
of Calgary came to meet and enjoyed the company of Atta ul Qasmi and Uzair Ahmed.
Thank you all for your continuous help and support
UNDERSTANDING – TOLERANCE – ACCEPTANCE - HARMONY
P.O. Box 6909 Station D, Calgary AB T2P 2G1
Mar -May 2015
PAKISTAN CANADA ASSOCIATION CALGARY – NEWSLETTER – MAR-MAY 2015
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PCA Hall Renovation Project Completed – September 2014:
The renovations to the PCA Hall are complete and the hall is being used for various activities. The renovated space now has a small office upstairs along
with open sitting area. The new space has a new storage room along with closets and a brand new warm up kitchen facility. The hall is equipped with new
a overhead projector and screen for multipurpose use. We are thankful to Mr Mazhar Malik, Mr. Ashiq Hussain, Mr. Tanveer Anjum, Mr. Shakeel
Ahmed and Sharafat Khan, Mr. Hank Brezinski for their significant material donation for the PCA hall renovation. In addition, we are thankful and
indebted to Renovation Committee members including Dr. Hussam Bawa, Tahir Alvi, Altaf Durrani, Sohail Aslam, Azhar Hunjra and Habib Abullah for
their tireless help throughout the renovation period.
PCA Land Project Updates (October, 2015 & January, 2015) and Appreciation Luncheon (March 2015):
As previously communicated, PCA is in the process of acquiring 10 acres of land. The total cost for the land is $200,000. We held two meetings in
October, 2014 and January, 2015 to provide updates for the project. In addition, we held an appreciation luncheon on March 8, 2015. We are very pleased
to report that THE subdivision work is almost complete and the only item outstanding is construction of the access road. We are expecting this work to
be completed in May/June, 2015 following which the land title can be transferred to PCA. We are also very happy to report that we have raised almost
$65K of the $160K commitments. We are thankful to Mr. Pervez Nasim (the current land owner) for his March 8th announcement of $50K donation
upon completion and closing of this transaction. Last but not least, we are very thankful to the entire community for their overwhelming response and
support for the land project. PCA is very thankful to members of the Land Committee namely; Khurshid Alam, Zawar Cheema and M. Rasheed for their
dedication and commitment for this project.
PCA Monthly Seniors Programs – Nov. 2014:
This is another new but historic beginning. In order to meet growing needs for our elderly, PCA has started monthly seniors program at PCA hall. We
are thankful to our community for appreciating and supporting this program. Seniors are invited to PCA hall and after a brief
presentation/discussion on a topic of interest to seniors (such as significance of a will, etc), seniors have an opportunity to socialize and mingle with
others. We are thankful to members of our Seniors Committee consisting of Mr. Nazir Kalsi, Mr. M. Mirza, Mr. Muzaffar Ahmad and Mr. Zubair Nabi,
representing each quadrant of the city. Seniors meeting started in November, 2015.
Community Vigil & Duaa for Peshawar School Victims – Dec 2014
PCA Calgary and our community were heartbroken because of the horrific incident that took place at Army Public School in Peshawar last December.
PCA Calgary held a candle light vigil and a special meeting at the Pakistan Cultural Center regarding this and unanimously passed a resolution on
December 20, 2014 to condemn this act of violence. Large number of community members, MLAs, MPs, Pakistani media and Canadian media were
present on the occasion.
Pakistan Day Celebration – March 2015:
PCA celebrated Pakistan Day at PCA hall. This was a short but very impressive community event. Flag hoisting and a colorful cake cutting ceremony was
held. The event was also attended by Calgary MPs, MLAs, and Councillors. Part of the program included an award distribution ceremony. Award and
certificates were distributed in 4 categories;. PCA Hall Renovation Committee, PCA Hall Renovation Donors, PCA Planning Committee and PCA
Volunteers and Sponsors.
PCA Website 2014
PCA Calgary lunched its upgraded website in 2014. We are very thankful to Ansar Qureshi for his help and support in preparation and launch of this project.
The address of PCA website is pcacalgary.ca.
Upcoming Events:
1. Notice of Biennial General Meeting and Elections: Please note that PCA will be holding its Biennial General Meeting on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at
2:30 PM at the Pakistan Cultural Center (#507 4656 West Winds Dr. NE). The agenda will include Minutes of the Last General Body Meeting, President’s
Report, Financial Statements (unaudited), Other Business and Introduction of Candidates contesting the upcoming election. Anyone interested in
contesting election, may contact Dr. Hussam Bawa (403 547-9077). Please note that nominations forms can be obtained from PCA
([email protected]) or the Election Committee ([email protected]). Completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Election
Committee by May 23, 2015. The election will be held June 14, 2015. (Shahid Ali Khan, Gen. Sec. PCA - April 20, 2015).
2. Pakistan Consular Camp: Pakistan Consulate Office Vancouver in cooperation with PCA Calgary is expected to host a consular camp in Calgary
sometime in May or June, 2015. The exact date and schedule will be announced as soon as it is finalized. Please visit the PCA website at
http://pcacalgary.ca/ for more info and announcements.
3. Seniors Monthly Meeting – May 24, 2015
PCA will be holding a Monthly Seniors Meeting on May 24, 2015 at PCA Hall at 3 PM. There will be a presentation and questions/answers on Hearing
Loss and Technology by Dr. Sajjad. Also, there will be a brief presentation on Seniors and Driving. Refreshments will be served. We look forward to
seeing you all. We also ask our community at large to please join us in support of our elderly.
Thank you all for your continuous help and support
UNDERSTANDING – TOLERANCE – ACCEPTANCE - HARMONY
P.O. Box 6909 Station D, Calgary AB T2P 2G1
Mar -May 2015