Reclaim your city: ‘I am Karachi’ opens its doors for everyone to join
Campaign manager Wajiha Naqvi talks about bringing people together for peace in Karachi.
A view of the Quaid’s mausoleum that is situated in the commercial hub of the country. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Ask any resident of Karachi and they will tell you that there is no city quite like this one. You'd be hard-pressed to find a Karachiite who doesn't feel a sense of belonging and ownership with the vibrant metropolis, even with all its faults. The problem, however, is the lack of a path to follow for the betterment of the city.
That is where 'I am Karachi' wants to step in. According to its campaign manager Wajiha Naqvi, the city-wide movement, led by civil society and the people of Karachi, aims to help residents get a feel for the city they call home and bring back its peace and harmony.
"We must work together to bring back the life of the city and eliminate intolerance," she urged. "Karachi is becoming more and more violent by the day, leaving its residents scared to come out of their homes, speak up and enjoy themselves."
'I am Karachi' is the response of some Karachiites to the problems that they want to eliminate from their city. "Through this movement, we want to gather people on one platform to reclaim the public spaces, grounds, parks and the city itself," Naqvi explained. "We have to start from somewhere — our starting point is bringing people together to think and work for Karachi. This is our city and we have the right to decide the direction it should take in the next five, 10 or 20 years."
The campaign, she said, has three objectives: reclaim public spaces, gather together the members of civil society and enhance public awareness and advocacy. "By reclaiming public spaces, we mean to promote the performing arts, culture, theatre and dialogues in the places that are vanishing with time," Naqvi clarified, adding that public space is not just physical but also intellectual. "Why is there only one arts council in the city? There should be one in each district to help the youth interested in the performing arts in honing their talent."
The inclusive campaign invites everyone to join; Naqvi points out that the 30 consortium members themselves, counting Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and the founder of a local stage productions company, Nida Butt, were a testament to its diversity and togetherness.
Asking those who were seeking help in promoting the performing arts, culture, literature and theatre in the city to join hands with them, she added that 'I am Karachi' wanted to support them. "We will also facilitate anyone who wants to conduct sports competitions in their areas."
Naqvi explained that all anyone has to do to participate is write to the campaign's official email address or follow it on Facebook and Twitter. Meanwhile, those youth who do not have access to the internet can show up at the Karachi Youth Support Network office to register for the movement.
"Anyone who thinks that they can do a bit for their city should join us!" she said. "The doors to reclaim Karachi are open to everyone."
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2015.
Ask any resident of Karachi and they will tell you that there is no city quite like this one. You'd be hard-pressed to find a Karachiite who doesn't feel a sense of belonging and ownership with the vibrant metropolis, even with all its faults. The problem, however, is the lack of a path to follow for the betterment of the city.
That is where 'I am Karachi' wants to step in. According to its campaign manager Wajiha Naqvi, the city-wide movement, led by civil society and the people of Karachi, aims to help residents get a feel for the city they call home and bring back its peace and harmony.
"We must work together to bring back the life of the city and eliminate intolerance," she urged. "Karachi is becoming more and more violent by the day, leaving its residents scared to come out of their homes, speak up and enjoy themselves."
'I am Karachi' is the response of some Karachiites to the problems that they want to eliminate from their city. "Through this movement, we want to gather people on one platform to reclaim the public spaces, grounds, parks and the city itself," Naqvi explained. "We have to start from somewhere — our starting point is bringing people together to think and work for Karachi. This is our city and we have the right to decide the direction it should take in the next five, 10 or 20 years."
The campaign, she said, has three objectives: reclaim public spaces, gather together the members of civil society and enhance public awareness and advocacy. "By reclaiming public spaces, we mean to promote the performing arts, culture, theatre and dialogues in the places that are vanishing with time," Naqvi clarified, adding that public space is not just physical but also intellectual. "Why is there only one arts council in the city? There should be one in each district to help the youth interested in the performing arts in honing their talent."
The inclusive campaign invites everyone to join; Naqvi points out that the 30 consortium members themselves, counting Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and the founder of a local stage productions company, Nida Butt, were a testament to its diversity and togetherness.
Asking those who were seeking help in promoting the performing arts, culture, literature and theatre in the city to join hands with them, she added that 'I am Karachi' wanted to support them. "We will also facilitate anyone who wants to conduct sports competitions in their areas."
Naqvi explained that all anyone has to do to participate is write to the campaign's official email address or follow it on Facebook and Twitter. Meanwhile, those youth who do not have access to the internet can show up at the Karachi Youth Support Network office to register for the movement.
"Anyone who thinks that they can do a bit for their city should join us!" she said. "The doors to reclaim Karachi are open to everyone."
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2015.