HDF Benefit Dinner Minnesota

On Friday, November 27, 2009, the Pakistani community of Minneapolis celebrated Eid ul-Adha and Thanksgiving in a unique and special way. Long-time Minnesota residents Dr. Bushra Dar, Mrs. Saleha Asim, and Dr. Farha Khan organized a wonderful community event benefiting the Human Development Foundation. The goal of the event was to garner support and funding for education and health projects in rural Pakistan . Fakhia Rashid, Executive Director of HDF North America, spoke to guests about several of HDF's programs, focusing on those dealing with education. A telemedicine initiative called the Mardan Project, started by Dr. Rizwan Naeem of Houston , Texas , was also presented, as the event was attended by many of the physicians in the Minnesota community. Author and journalist Ethan Casey, also a keynote speaker, shared an excerpt from his upcoming book Overtaken by Events: A Pakistan Roadtrip which contained a compelling conversation with HDF founding member Shahnaz Khan. The young Emcees, Sarah Dar and Hur Ali, did a fantastic job throughout the evening encouraging the guests to donate to HDF. Silent Auction items like a signed cricket bat by the Pakistani team, a cricket mitt signed by Javed Miandad and a cricket ball signed by Imran Khan, were a huge success with the crowd.

About 300 people attended the event and enjoyed great food, fun activities including a silent auction and raffle giveaway, and the highlight of the evening: a musical performance by the legendary Munni Begum. All proceeds from this event will be sent to support ongoing HDF projects in Pakistan , hopefully making a difference in the lives of people who need it the most.

Minnesota Event Pictures