Promoting Japanese culture: Japan confers prestigious award on Hamdard chief

Sadia Rashid is first Pakistani to receive Order of the Rising Sun

KARACHI: The Emperor and government of Japan conferred on Friday the civil award "The Order of The Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon" on Sadia Rashid, the chairperson of Hamdard Foundation and president of the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association (PJCA), in recognition of her contributions for promoting cultural relations and mutual understanding between the two countries.

The Japanese order, Order of the Rising Sun, was established by Emperor Meijing on 10 April 1875 by a decree of the Council of State and it is the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government to a Pakistani national.

The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun which refers to the energy and power of the rising sun and is a symbol for Japan, the land of the rising sun.



In a formal ceremony the Japan Consul-General Toshikazu Isomura presented the award to Rashid at his residence in Karachi. He congratulated Rashid and also talked about the legacy of her father and former Sindh governor Hakim Mohammed Said, who wrote several books for children.

The award ceremony was attended by family members and friends of Rashid besides members of PJCA and management of Hamdard.

The Order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in the promotion of Japanese culture.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2019.