Runta News Staff-Seattle.
The Washington Association of Pakistani Physicians in collaboration with the Muslim Housing Services celebrated on Saturday their annual event of “Day of Dignity”. The fun filled event which is normally held at the Muslim Housing headquarter in South Seattle receives huge turn out and this year was no exception despite the rainy weather. Long lines of cars of all sized lined up to receive plenty of food items, backpacks full of school supplies, hot meals prepared in food trucks, and side services such as immunization, henna, and face painting for families with kids who desired to get out of their cars and enjoy the event.
The Secretary of Health of Washington State, Dr. Umair Shah, who himself is a Pakistani American was in the attendance and contributed to the efforts of distributing the food items with the volunteers who showed up for support. Dr. Shah who spoke to Runta News praised the collaborative efforts between Washington Association of Pakistani Physicians and the Muslim Housing Services for organizing such an amazing event.
“There is so much we have to really be thinking about when it comes to serving communities” said Dr. Umair Shah. He talked about the difficulties communities are facing as the result of the pandemic which has exasperated the social needs such this service. “We are here as the Department of Health with Care-a-Van services. We are providing vaccines, also doing screens for chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. It is a great opportunity to be here, and are glad to be part of it”, he concluded with his remarks.
The Executive Director of Muslim Housing Services Rizwan Rizwi, who also spoke to our media organization mentioned that this kind of event is happening annually in different places and in many cities across the United States in coordination with the Islamic Relief. “We are hoping to help today as many families as we can with the services we are providing” he said. “This is our 4th year of Day of Dignity here in the Northwest and Seattle area, and we thank to those who supported us including the volunteers, and Washington Associations of Pakistani Physicians.
The lead organizer of the “Day of Dignity” Dr. Wardah Kashmiri who is also founder and vice president of Washington Association of Pakistani Physicians proudly praised the work her team of doctors and nurses has been doing for the community during these difficult last few years specially since the pandemic started.
The Pakistani community and its affiliate network, Washington Associations of Pakistani Physicians are united on their mission to donate generously to those who are in need for social services such as medical, dental, food, clothing, school supplies for kids, and more.
The event was packed with public officials and professionals. One of those visible was Judge Andrea Jarmon who was recently elected for King County District Court. So many young were visiting her booth which was decorated with the justice symbols hoping they would someday fill her shoes and become a judge, or a lawyer like her.
Board of Directors of WSAPP, and the volunteers who were present at the event were: Dr Nehal Farooq, Secretary of Washington Association of Pakistani Physicians. Dr Shoaib Siddiqui, Dr Nouman Ahmad and Dr Fareed Arif.
Volunteer Doctors and Medial Assistants who served at the “Medical Teams International” mobile van which provided free dental services during the event were: Dr Rehan Bashar and Dr Rania Abasaeed. The Van manager, Hakim Halimum, Dr. Aisha Hakeem, Dr. Rehan Bashar, Dr. Kamran Fotoohi, Dr. Rania Abasaeed, Freschta Hazarat DA, Zoya Quazi DA, Enas Rostom DA, Hussein Isaac DA.
