State department Houston awards HKSCA

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HOUSTON: Houston Karachi Sister City Association Gets Award From US State Department Houston. An Annual Eid Dinner jointly organized by the Houston Karachi Sister City Association (HKSCA) and Houston Istanbul Sister City Association (HISCA) at the distinct Turkish Community Center in Southwest Houston.

David Godwin, Houston Region Coordinator of Center for Cultural Exchange US State Department, gave award and certificate to HKSCA President Muhammad Saeed Sheikh for the dedication and commitment of HKSCA towards the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program of the US State Department.

This is the first time an organization of Pakistanis descent has received such a high distinction from the US State Department, for which our media team congratulate President of HKSCA Muhammad Saeed Sheikh for his outstanding leadership and diligence; and all the Executive & Board Members of the association, for their dedicated services, in getting this honor for the community.

Program was attended and addressed by Honorable Consul General of Turkey Cemalettin Aydin, who talked about the contributions of Muslims and Turkish in all facets of life in USA and across the world.

Others present on the occasion included former City of Houston Councilmember M. J. Khan, President of Turkish American Chamber of Commerce Celil Yaka, President Pakistan Chamber of Commerce USA P. J. Swati, and others.

HKSCA participated in this Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, which is funded by the US State Department, and that provides scholarships for secondary school students (ages 15-17) from countries with significant Muslim populations, to spend up to one academic year in the United States.

While receiving the award, HKSCA President Muhammad Saeed Sheikh thanked all the members of the association for their contribution towards this initiative and recognized the hard work of David Godwin, who has been instrumental in getting around 40 Pakistani students every year.

This first annual joint Eid Dinner of HKSCA and HISCA was attended by over 150 guests from Pakistani, Turkish, and mainstream American communities. This well organized was moderated by Mehmet Okumus, President of the picturesque Turkish Center. Ruhi Ozgel, President of Houston Istanbul Sister City Association (HISCA) welcomed the guests and paid rich tributes to all those, who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and assured that this event will become an annual features & more Muslim countries sister city associations will be included in the future.

HKSCA President Muhammad Saeed Sheikh also thanked HISCA for joining hands to organize this event and lauded the plan of action of his HKSCA team, under the areas of healthcare, trade & commerce, education, and culture.