Muhammad Rome
Co-coordinator
Suvastu Arts and Culture Association
The Khyber Watch: In May 2009, people of Malakand division were displaced due to two years long armed conflict that took thousands of innocents´ lives and destroyed well established infrastructure. Mankind witnessed a large human displacement in the recent history. According to United Nations reports more than 03 Million people were displaced. The government was unable to cope with the situation alone and so was the situation of international organizations. People of District Mardan, Sawabi, Peshawar, Charsada and other pockets of the Province offered their homes, Hujras and lands for tenting to the displaced people and gave them shelter and food for more than three months. The support enabled the displaced people with sun burnet faces to live with dignity. Such long hospitality offered by the people of Pukhtunkhwa will always be remembered by the whole world.
In order to acknowledge the love and care being rendered by their brethrens in the time of distress and helplessness, the civil society organizations of Swat decided to celebrate a week of hospitality from 1st July to 7th July 2010. During the hospitality week the people of Swat invited those who hosted them in the period of displacement. Thousands of families who had hosted the displaced families last year visited Swat and stayed for days.
During the week a mega event was arranged on 3rd July 2010 at Hotel White Palace in the scenic valley of Murghazar Swat. Guests were invited from all the provinces of Pakistan. There were two hundred invitees to the function apart from over four hundred participants from Malakand division. The guests enjoyed a night stay, traditional hospitality and music in surrealistic environment in the then residence of former Wali of Swat. Traditional Slampuri Shawls and Pakol (Caps) were gifted to the guests.
It was a symbolic event to pay tribute to the hospitality of the Pukhtoons of Mardan, Sawabi, Noshwhra, Charsadda, Peshawar and other parts of Pukhtoonkhwa in particular and rest of the country in general.
Speaking at the occasion, the speakers highlighted the core value of Pukhtoon culture’s hospitality, taking into account the accommodation of large influx of displaced people. There is no such example of open heartedness and hospitality in the history of mankind.
The forum demanded to declare July 03, as Hospitality Day in the calendar year of Pakistan and this day should be declared and celebrated as International Day of Hospitality by the United Nations as well. The participants also decided that this day will be celebrated every year throughout Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa at their own.
Later in the evening, the participant also enjoyed music. Classical and popular Singers from all over the province grace the occasion with their melodious singing.
On the call of Civil Society the people of Swat have invited their host families from down districts of Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa and other parts of the Country. Thousands of families arrived to stay here to enjoy and refresh the memories of unmatched hospitality.
The event was organized by Global Peace Council, Swat Participatory Council (SPC), CARAVAN, Suvastu Arts & Culture Association (SACA) and Khpal Kor Foundation. The support of Swat Scout Open Group´s Activists and Swat Police was critical for the success of the event |
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