YesPakistan.com --- Organize an open house

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Prosperous are the believers who in their prayers are humble, and from idle talk turn away and at alms giving are active and guard their private parts-- and who preserve their trusts and their covenants. Quran 23:1-11.

Organize an open house
about Pakistan

An open house is usually a way for the public to get an inside look at a particular institution, like a school or center. The term is also used in real estate when a homeowner opens his or her house for public viewing.

You can take this concept and use it to invite others to an open house about Pakistan, its culture and heritage.

Ideally, if you already have a Pakistani-American community center, this would be a good place to host an open house. If you don't have this facility, then don't close the door on this idea just yet. Get a room at your local YMCA or YWCA, community center or even a space in a large library. If you're a student, try to get a free room through your university or high school.

During the open house, you would share bits and pieces of Pakistani culture. From free snack food (most Americans tend to love samosas and who wouldn't be attracted to free food), to dress (everybody organizing the exhibit should be dressed Pakistani that day) to cultural artifacts (Pakistan's beautiful calligraphy, wood work and onyx art could be highlighted here), you need to show the beauty and diversity of Pakistani culture.

But don't just share good food, art and dress with Americans. Put up posters you and a group of friends have made that share the basics about Pakistan and its history. There should be lots of pictures and limited text. In addition, if you can find a travel video on Pakistan or some part of the country, keep it playing during the open house so that visitors can at least catch a few glances of the country. If possible, set a specific time when a short video about some aspect of Pakistan is shown to visitors.

It would also be cool if you could throw in a multimedia presentation for the event. For example, you can get a CD that teaches Urdu, among other languages. Hook it up in the open house area, plug a few headphones in and invite visitors to hear what Pakistan's official language sound like.

If possible, give visitors a small memento before they leave so they can remember the event. Maybe a small flag of Pakistan with the date and title of the event on the back, along with a "thank you for visiting" message. If you know of a website about Pakistan (i.e. www.yespakistan.com), put that on the flag too so that people can get more information about the country if they wish.

Make sure to publicize the event very well. Invite people in the community with an attractive flyer, announcements on local radio and television shows, a notice in as many community newspapers as possible and of course, word of mouth. In addition, if you know of some good Pakistani websites, why not post information about the event there?

Finally, make sure to send thank you cards to all who helped you organize the event, including those who allowed you to use their space.

Date/Time Last Modified: 6/17/2002 3:48:38 PM