By. IRFAN SIDDIQUI
A special Iftar dinner was organized in Tokyo on the 21st of Ramadan by Irfan Siddiqi, President of the Japan International Press Club, in honor of Pakistan’s Ambassador to Japan, Abdul Hameed, and members of the Pakistani community living across Japan. The gathering brought together many respected and senior members of the community, creating a warm and meaningful environment during the holy month of Ramadan.
The event provided an opportunity for members of the Pakistani community to come together, share the blessings of Ramadan, and interact directly with the Ambassador. Ambassador Abdul Hameed welcomed the guests with great warmth and personally met many community members. His friendly and approachable manner was appreciated by everyone present at the gathering.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Abdul Hameed congratulated the community on the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan and emphasized the importance of unity, respect, and harmony among Pakistanis living abroad. He said that Ramadan teaches Muslims the values of patience, forgiveness, and compassion. According to him, the spirit of Ramadan encourages people to put aside their differences and strengthen their relationships with one another.
He further said that the Pakistani community in Japan has always played a positive role in representing Pakistan and promoting goodwill. He encouraged the community to remain united and continue working together to present a positive image of Pakistan in Japan. The Ambassador also assured the participants that the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo is committed to supporting and assisting the Pakistani community in every possible way.
During his interaction with the guests, Ambassador Abdul Hameed highlighted improvements in communication between the embassy and the community. He explained that the embassy is making efforts to address community concerns more effectively. In cases where phone calls cannot be answered immediately, the embassy staff follows up later, and in some cases the Ambassador himself personally contacts individuals to understand their concerns and help resolve their issues.
The event was attended by several prominent members of the Pakistani community. Among those present were Shahid Mahjoob, President of Pakistan Peoples Party Japan; Chaudhry Asif Mahmood, Board of Governor of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation; Ramzan Siddiq; Abdul Hameed Sajo; Shehryar Sando; Chaudhry Ikram; Malik Saleem from Fukushima; Lala Shafaat Khan; Ameen Qazaki; Ateeq Khan; Alhaj Fawad; Qari Ali Hasan; Chaudhry Sheikh Tanveer; Shakeel who had arrived from Chile; Anees Khan; and Ehtesham ul Haq, along with many other respected members of the community.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the gathering and said that such events provide an important opportunity for overseas Pakistanis to connect with one another and maintain a sense of community while living far from home. They also appreciated the Ambassador’s engagement and his willingness to interact directly with community members.
The evening concluded with the breaking of the fast and Maghrib prayers. Guests spent time sharing conversations and strengthening friendships in a spirit of unity and brotherhood. Many participants said that gatherings like these reflect the true spirit of Ramadan and help strengthen the bonds of the Pakistani community in Japan while keeping their connection with Pakistan strong.
