Cultural exhibition: A taste of exploration at Faisal Mosque

IIUI students get creative to present peeks into various foreign cultures.

ISLAMABAD:

The 23rd International Cultural Exhibition organised by International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) provides an opportunity to explore exotic cultures without having to pay through the nose to physically visit foreign destinations.

A three-day exhibition held at Quaid-i-Azam Auditorium, Faisal Mosque, was inaugurated on Monday by the wife of Saudi Ambassador Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer. Other notables present on the occasion included the Iraqi ambassador’s wife, IIUI Rector Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik, IIUI President Dr Mumtaz Ahmed and other eminent scholars from Pakistan and abroad, including former deans and senior faculty members.

The objective behind organising the exhibition is to encourage intercultural harmony and keep cultural traditions alive by showcasing the cultural relics of various countries. The history, traditional foods, dresses, arts and crafts, literature, music and fashion of twenty countries are being represented by local and foreign students hailing from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Sudan, China, India, England and Sri Lanka. The rich cultures of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Waziristan and Gilgit-Baltistan are also an integral part of the exhibition.

Sadaf Qureshi, a BBA student who has organised a stall representing the culture of Rajasthan, India, told The Express Tribune that the aim behind her selection was to highlight the rich cultures of areas that are usually ignored. The girls at her booth were dressed in Rajasthani ghagras and were carrying mud pots (matkas) on their heads. Some mouth watering Indian food including aloo bhatti, korma, dal makhni, boiled rice and kheer was also available for tasting. “We want to convey a message of love, peace and harmony to our neighboring country,” Qureshi said.

Sana Riaz, along with her class fellows, paid tribute to the victims of the Japanese quake, who are painstakingly trying to return to their lives, by setting up a stall representing their culture. “The Japanese embassy helped us a lot in setting up the stall and provided invaluable guidance on the best way to represent their culture,” said Riaz.

A bride and groom representing the modern era of Saudi Arabia totally grabbed the attention of visitors. It was difficult to access the couple as the visitors were too busy taking pictures with them. Those meeting the couple were offered the country’s famed food items such as kabsa and jarish.

Haya Saboor, representing Spanish culture, told The Express Tribune that the reason behind her selection was to bring out “the glories and rich history of the region in connection with Muslims.”

An excited Asia, IIUI student from China, was hoping to win the first prize. “I have tried my best to display the culture of my country in Pakistan. It is an amazing experience and I hope that my efforts will pay back,” she said.

According to IIUI’s Director Female Campus Qaiserah Alvi, the aim of organising the event is to provide an amalgamation of international and national culture under one roof. “Many people wish to travel to other countries or even within their own country to explore various cultures, but are unable to because of limited resources. Such events may provide them a chance to attain some part of their dreams,” she said.

The exhibition will include a fashion show, debate competition, quizzes and games among other activities and will conclude with a prize distribution ceremony on April 20.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2011.