DUBAI // The national anthem will be sung and traditional meals served in Pakistani households across the UAE today as a large section of the expatriate community celebrates its country's independence day.
Today marks 66 years since Pakistan gained independence from British rule in 1947 and the anniversary will be celebrated by hundreds of thousands of expats, with flag raising ceremonies taking place at the Pakistan embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai this morning.
As it is a weekday and many people are still in Pakistan after the Eid holidays, celebrations in the UAE are expected to be low key, family affairs, although hundreds are expected to attend an event organised by the Pakistan Association in Dubai this weekend.
"Independence day falls on a weekday this year which means most people will be working and then doing something private with friends and family," said Dr Faisel Ikram, the general secretary of the association.
"Traditionally it is a day members of our community want to celebrate together and that is why we decided to hold an event on a day most people will be free."
Celebrations take place on Saturday at the Pakistan Education Academy's auditorium from 7.30pm-10pm.
"We are expecting about 500 people to attend and will have a few speeches as well as a variety of entertainment," said Dr Ikram.
"We chose the academy because with the weather still being very hot and humid it was the only place indoors that could accommodate the number of people we are expecting.
"We will also cut a 60-pound cake on the night so people will have that to look forward to as well."
Visitors will be treated to national songs, traditional Pakistani cuisine, competitions, and arts and craft stalls.
Restaurant bosses are prepared to deal with big orders of traditional Pakistani meals from customers looking to celebrate with a taste of home.
"We are expecting it to be busy in the evening and have prepared a special buffet menu for the occasion," said Shujahat Hussain, the manager at Wrap and Roll Haandi, in Al Barsha.
"Eid was last weekend and many people have flown back to Pakistan so will be out of town this week. It means numbers might not be as high as previous years."
Last year, August 14 fell during Ramadan, so many expats combined celebrations with breaking their fast at iftar.
"We have done a lot of promotion for this and we are expecting at least 100 people so it should be busy," said Mr Hussain.
Mobisher Rabbani, a diplomatic consultant and philanthropist, said Independence Day was hugely important to Pakistanis.
"We celebrate and remember the people who sacrificed so much so that we could have an independent country," he said.
Dr Ikram said it was important for the younger generation of Pakistanis growing up in the UAE to stay connected to their heritage.
"We have many younger people who were born here and have Pakistani parents but have never been to the country," he said.
"These kinds of events help to reinforce their identity so they can have a better understanding of their cultural and historic background."
The day pays homage to some of the key figures in Pakistani history, in particular the country's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and, with Pakistan Day on March 23, is one of the main national holidays in the country.
