On Aug. 16 in Flatbush, the Brooklyn Mela, also known as Little Pakistan, hosted the Pakistani Independence Day Festival. The Mela, which refers to a festive public gathering, is one of the biggest in the country, according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Over 22,000 Pakistani residents live in Brooklyn and more than 15% of the national Pakistani population are located in New York City at large, according to Neilsberg.
Hochul described the festival as “A special reminder of what we’re all about. Not just for the Pakistani community but also for others to come and see how vibrant and important this community is to all of us here in New York.”
The event marked the 78th annual independence day, coming 79 years after the division of British India. Families in the national dress played traditional music and gave rich cultural performances. Food stalls served traditional Pakistani dishes.
Amidst festivities, Hochul also delivered a message of reassurance amidst recent anxiety around ICE presence in the city.
“I know there’s a lot of anxiety about what is happening with the federal government and ICE coming to neighborhoods,” Hochul said. “We are here to protect you. You are part of our family.”
Little Pakistan is concentrated along Coney Island Ave. between Church Ave. and Ave. H. The area continues to be a home and cultural hub for Pakistani immigrants and visitors from abroad.
