Since 2002, this outdoor cultural picnic is held each year in August in New York by Afghan Communicator. Prior to 2002, this event was known as Afghan Independence Day and organized by Afghanistan Peace Association and other leaders of New York since early 1990's. 

In 2002, Afghan Communicator was formally asked by the previous organizers to single handedly organize AHD. Because Afghan Communicator is an art and culture organization we decided to rename the event from Independence to Heritage, thus putting emphasis on celebrating the rich and colorful Afghan culture and what it represents.

Therefore, AHD is a cultural celebration for over 25,000 Afghans in NY, and over 60,000 Afghans in the Northeastern US. We invite community leaders, elected officials, state officials, celebrities, non-profit organizations as well as vendors to add flavor to these festivities.

 

  AHD 2002  

 

Throughout the day, Afghans from the tri-state area shopped for melons, carpets, fabric, grilled fish and jala, a welcomed cold treat on such a hot day. The festival area of Flushing Meadows Corona Park was transformed into an Afghan market place, with its familiar sights and sounds. Events included Attan competitions, fashion shows and a variety of games and prizes for the children in attendance. Without a doubt, the fashion show was one of the day’s biggest hits, drawing a large crowd out from the shelter of the shade. The traditional portion boasted colorful clothing from various regions of Afghanistan, while the modern segment showed off a fusion of East and West, with participants strutting to contemporary music.

Sear and Fahim Azizi performed live music for the final two hours of Afghan Heritage Day. Their upbeat sounds helped bring an energizing close to the day’s organized festivities. Based on the overall success of this year’s event, AC is already looking forward to Afghan Heritage Day, 2003.

 

 

 

___________________________________________________________

 

 

 

On Sunday, August 17, over 2,000 Afghans joined together to celebrate the annual Afghan Heritage Day celebration. This was the second year that AC had the pleasure of hosting the event. In spite of the temperamental skies, the aftermath of the blackout and a new location, many families came out to the spacious and lush green SUNY College at Old Westbury campus to enjoy a day of music, food and mingling. The day’s activities began with the traditional Quran reading by Mr. Hasibullah Qurbanzada and Ms. Aziza Sultan. The crowd was then welcomed by a children’s march organized by the Afghan School at Whitestone. Children dressed in Afghan clothing, greeted the attendees with a welcome train and then sang a chorus.

 Throughout the day, the crowd was kept entertained by the traditional adult and children’s Attans, as well as the ever popular fashion show. DJ’s Fawad and DJ Jawed kept the energy level high with upbeat Afghan sounds and the live music of Khalil Ahmady moved some people to their feet. Mr. Sadiq who traveled all the way from Philadelphia read a moving poem in Pashtu. Westbury’s green field was crowded with vendors selling everything from chandeliers, Afghan jewelry and clothing to hot kabob dishes and traditional Afghan ice cream (jaalah).

Attendees had a chance to talk to organizations recruiting for positions available in Afghanistan as well as Afghan authors, discussing and signing copies of their books. Although the day’s program was cut short by the torrential downpour an energetic crowd, a greener venue and the attraction of vendors/musicians combined to create a memorable celebration of Afghan culture. AC was honored to have had the chance to hold AHD for the second time and looks forward to joining the community for an even greater success next year!

 

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

  On Saturday, August 14, for the third consecutive year, Afghan Communicator hosted its annual outdoor picnic, Afghan Heritage Day. The event was held at the Old Westbury Campus of SUNY in Long Island, New York. Although hurricane advisory was in effect for hurricane Charlie, which plagued the skies with dark clouds and spurts of rain, over 2,000 people gathered to enjoy food, dance, music, shopping and Afghan culture. Vendors sold kabobs, cotton candy and traditional Afghan ice cream, jaala, as well as traditional Afghan clothing and jewelry. 

Throughout the day, AC conducted many different activities, such as need assessment surveys so that we better know how to serve the Afghan community. In order to mobilize the Afghan community to exercise their civic duties, AC conducted a voter registration drive, to make sure Afghan votes are counted and their voices heard! The response was very encouraging.

 

  The program commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Hasibullah Qurbanzada. Following a short welcome speech in three languages of Dari, Pashtu and English, the day’s events included children’s games, a fashion show, traditional attan dance and featured lively Afghan music by Rubin Javid of Bazi Entertainment. 

In the afternoon, elected officials such as Assemblyman Barry Grodenchik addressed the large crowd. Other honored speakers included Mr. M. Ashraf Haidari, the Government and Media Relations Officer of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington D.C., Ms. Lina Rozbih, and Commissioner Guillermo Linares, New York City’s Mayor’s Office Commissioner on Immigrant Affairs. On stage, Commissioner Linares presented Afghan Communicator’s Rameen Moshref Javid with a Mayor’s Proclamation Certificate, officially deeming Saturday, August 14^th, 2004 as Afghan Heritage Day in New York City. 

AHD Program 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________________________________

 

 

 

This outdoor cultural picnic is held each year in August in New York. It is a cultural celebration for over 25,000 Afghans in NY, and over 60,000 Afghans in the Northeastern US. We invite community leaders, elected officials, state officials, celebrities, non-profit organizations as well as vendors to add flavor to these festivities. This year Mahmood Aslamy performed to thousands of Afghans in SUNY Old Westbury College.

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

With a new twist on an annual event, AC hosted the 2006 Afghan Heritage Day (AHD) at Queens College on Sunday, May 28th during Memorial Day Weekend.  In an effort to avoid any possible weather interferences, the celebration was held in the college's spacious gymnasium.  Members of the Afghan community were able to mingle throughout the arena and admire the wares of various vendors.  Among the items for sale were traditional and modern Afghan clothing, jewelry, music, carpets and magazine subscriptions.  Of course, the smell of kebab enticed hungry stomachs.

  Throughout the day, the guests were entertained by the upbeat music of Rafi Refa and his band.  Younger guests were pleased to see a playroom with gymnastic equipment, animated movies and face painting for them.  In addition, members of the Bond Street Theatre Group delighted the audience by strolling through the gymnasium on stilts.  They also led workshops for those brave enough to want to attempt stilt walking for the first time. As in past years, the fashion shows were the most anticipated events of the day, with spectators crowding around the stage.  Performers in both the children's and adult's fashion shows were moved to dance by the energy of the crowd and the momentum of the music.