Egyptian envoy hosts reception

Egyptian Ambassador Fadel Yacoub welcomed guests to a large reception to mark Egypt’s 66th National Day on July 23.

The chief minister on the occasion was interim Commerce and Textiles Minister Mian Misbahur Rehman, but the reception was also attended by three other federal ministers.

In a comprehensive speech, the new Egyptian envoy to Pakistan highlighted Egypt’s historical significance, mentioning that more than a thousand years ago students came from far and near came to al-Azhar al-Sharif to attend what was seen as a university.

He also recalled the Mohammad Ali Jinnah visited Egypt in 1946, adding that Egypt and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1948 and exchanged envoys in early 1949.

Allama Iqbal also visited Cairo many times in the 1930s, he said, and his poems were translated to Arabic. The famous Egyptian singer Om Kolthoum sang translated verses from hisShikwaandJawab-i-Shikwain her songHadith ar-rouh.

In March, the grand mufti of Egypt visited Pakistan and met with religious leaders, including the president and the prime minister.

Ambassador Yacoub and the chief guest said trade between the countries should be increased.

“Bilateral trade does not exceed $200 million a year, which does not reflect the potential of both countries,” the ambassador said.

He said: “Therefore, Egypt welcomes the new ‘Look Africa’ outlined by Pakistan, and we commend the Ministry of Commerce to reopen the commercial office in the Pakistani embassy in Cairo. We are confident that the two business communities will find a lot of mutual opportunities.”

He also noted the importance of the ongoing cultural and educational cooperation between the countries, including scholarships in various fields.

K-pop music, dance competition held

Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea Sung-kyu Kwak presided over a K-pop music and dance competition at the National University of Modern Languages (Numl) in Islamabad.

The event was attended by diplomats from the embassy along with a large number of students and teachers, led by the Numl Director General retired Brig Mohammad Ibrahim.

South Korean popular music forms part of what the ambassador called the ’Korean Wave’; a rising interest worldwide in Korean music, drama, literature, cuisine and language. In his speech at the event, Ambassador Sung-kyu thanked Numl for its longstanding support for Korean culture and language in Pakistan.

The winners of the competition were Diya Amin in the singing category, and Arisha Khan and Taha Khan in the dancing category.

The K-pop World Festival will be held in Changwon, South Korea, in the autumn. Videos from a number of countries will be sent in advance for the judges at the Korean Broadcasting System to decide on the winners. If chosen, Pakistani members will travel to Changwon to participate in the final competition.

Mandela Day celebrated

South African Ambassador Mpendulo Jele recently hosted a large reception to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the country’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.

In an elaborate speech, Ambassador Jele gave an account of the iconic statesman’sLong Walk to Freedom, the title of his autobiography.

This was the major event out of several held to remember the iconic leader, who is celebrated every year on his birthday on July 18.

Mandela (1918 - 2013) served 27 years in prison until he was finally released in 1990.

The first Dutch Europeans settled in Cape Town in 1652, and the country was under the rule of white supremacy for a long time. The apartheid regime from 1948 ended with Mandela took over as president from 1944 to 1999.

“President and Nobel Prize laureate Nelson Mandela does not need any titles or statues,” said a guest at the event. “We all admire him and receive inspiration from him.”

This was also depicted in poems and statements offered by a Pakistani human rights activist and a media professional on the occasion.

The chief guest at the event was interim minister Roshan Khursheed Bharucha, and the event was attended by diplomats and members of civil society, including a number of African guests.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2018