The play centers on the themes of racism, Islamophobia, sexism and apostasy, according to a report from The Guardian.
The Pulitzer jury described “Disgraced” as “a moving play that depicts a successful corporate lawyer painfully forced to consider why he has for so long camouflaged his Pakistani Muslim heritage.”
The play beat Gina Gionfriddo’s “Rapture, Burn and Blister” and Amy Herzog’s “4000 Miles” to win the $10,000 prize.
“Disgraced” was first produced in Chicago’s American Theatre Company and was transferred to the Lincoln Center in New York afterwards.
The drama Pulitzer, awarded by Columbia University, seeks to recognize “a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life”.
Akhtar has written numerous screenplays, but this was his debut as playwright. He was born in Staten Island, New York to Pakistani parents.
The New York Times publication was awarded four journalistic Pulitzer prizes for 2013.

“The government’s focus remains on jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Kenney. “Under the new Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canada will be able to attract the skilled immigrants our economy requires, who are the most likely to succeed and contribute their full skill set to the Canadian economy.”

With the re-opening date approaching, future applicants should be aware of several key elements that will have an effect on the application process:

· A new eligible occupations list, with a total of 24 occupations;
· An overall cap of 5,000 new applications for all eligible occupations, including a sub-cap of 300 new applications for each eligible occupation;
· Four organizations have been designated to conduct educational credential assessments (mandatory for applicants submitting foreign educational credentials); and
· Applicants must show proof that they meet the minimum threshold of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in all four language skill areas: speaking, reading, writing and oral comprehension.

“As a result of the actions taken by the Government to deal with the massive backlogs and unacceptably long wait times, FSW applications will be processed in approximately one year,” said Minister Kenney. “We will not be able to remain competitive and attract the skilled immigrants we need if we allow backlogs and wait times to grow again. That’s why we are capping application intake and focusing on specific occupations that are experiencing labour shortages in Canada. This will also help us transition nicely into the just-in-time immigration system of the future.”
Applications under the new FSWP will be accepted starting May 4, 2013. Until then, however, the FSWP application process does not change – only individuals with qualifying job offers or those applying under the PhD stream are eligible for processing.
All applicants who are considering applying on or after May 4 are invited to consult the Backgrounder . It outlines some of the steps that can be taken now to prepare and includes the eligible occupations list and the organizations designated to conduct educational credential assessments.

The WSC–AR sends its condolences to all victims of this violent incident, and to the families and loved ones of those who have been taken away by this terrible tragedy. Our prayers go out to all and particularly to the injured for a speedy and full recovery. May Almighty God grace them with hope and healing under these difficult circumstances. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time of profound tragedy and grief.

It is not yet known who was behind this heinous act, but all citizens should be on their guard in public places. WSC-AR humbly requests all member and non-member Gurdwaras across the United States to be vigilant and inform local law enforcement authorities immediately of any suspicious activity.

WSC-AR is reaching out to representatives of the Milford (Boston) Gurdwara to assist and help in any way they can.

The World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR) is the umbrella organization representative of Sikhs in the United States. It is an elected body of Sikh Gurdwaras and institutions. Currently 51 Gurdwaras and other Sikh institutions across the nation are members of WSC-AR. The major governing purpose of the organization is to represent the collective view of Sikhs in the United States. WSC-AR works to promote Sikh interests at the national and international level focusing on issues of advocacy, education, and well-being of humankind.
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Member Gurdwaras of WSC-AR:
1. Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Opelika, AL
2. Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society, Stockton, CA
3. Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, Fremont, CA
4. Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, San Jose, CA
5. Guru Nanak Sikh Mission, Livingston, CA
6. Sikh Gurdwara of LA, North Hollywood, CA
7. Sikh Gurdwara Riverside, Riverside, CA
8. Gurdwara Guru Angad Darbar, Bakersfield, CA
9. Colorado Singh Sabha, Denver, CO
10. Connecticut Sikh Association, Southington, CT
11. Guru Tegh Bahadur Foundation, Norwalk, CT
12. Guru Singh Sabha of Augusta, Augusta, GA
13. Sikh Study Circle of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
14. Sikh Religious Society of Chicago, Palatine, IL
15. Sikh Society of South, New Orleans, LA
16. New England Sikh Study Circle, Boston, MA
17. Singh Sabha of Michigan, Canton, MI
18. Sikh Gurdwara of Michigan, Rochester Hills, MI
19. Sikh Society of Michigan, Madison Heights, MI
20. Downriver Gurdwara Sahib, Brownstown, MI
21. Guru Nanak Foundation of Jackson, MS
22. Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina, Durham, NC
23. Sikh Sabha of Upper Valley, Hanover, NH
24. Garden State Sikh Association, Bridgewater, NJ
25. Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Delaware Valley, Sewell, NJ
26. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Glenrock, NJ
27. Sikh Sabha of New Jersey, Lawrenceville, NJ
28. Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh, Las Vegas, NV
29. Sikh Cultural Society Inc., Richmond Hills, NY
30. Sikh Cultural & Edu. Society of Western NY, Buffalo, NY
31. Sikh Foundation of Syracuse, Liverpool, NY
32. Guru Nanak Found. of Greater Cleveland, Richfield, OH
33. Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society, Bedford, OH
34. Guru Nanak Rel. Soc. of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH
35. Sikh Sadh Sangat, Easton, PA
36. Philadelphia Sikh Society, Millbourne, PA
37. Tristate Sikh Cultural Society, Monroeville, PA
38. Mid South Sikh Sabha, Memphis, TN
39. Sikh Center of Gulf Coast, Houston, TX
40. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Richardson, TX
41. Sikh Gurdwara of North Texas, Garland, TX
42. Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Fairfax, VA
43. Sikh Association of Central Virginia, VA
44. Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin, Brookfield, WI

Other Sikh Institution Members of WSC-AR:

1. Siri Guru Granth Sahib Found., Anaheim, CA
2. Sikhs Serving America, Topeka, KS
3. Sikh Youth Federation of North America, White Plains, NY
4. Sikh Heritage Foundation, Long Island, NY
5. Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation, Dublin, OH
6. Sikh Youth Federation of USA, Toledo, OH
7. Academy of Guru Granth Studies, Arlington, TX

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Diversity Reporter Editor Mohsin Abbas is soaring high on the wings of a new passion – a documentary film he is making about the remarkable courage of a 15-year-old school girl from his native Pakistan.
Malala: A Girl from Paradise tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head and neck by a Taliban gunman last October while on a school bus with classmates.
The education activist first came to international attention after writing a diary for the BBC’s Urdu service about her life in Pakistan’s Swat district under Taliban rule. Writing under the pen name, Gul Makai, she chronicled the plight of children in the region after the Taliban outlawed schools for girls.
Malala was critically wounded and flown to Birmingham, England’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she underwent numerous surgeries by specialists in skull reconstruction.”
Abbas recently spent four months in Pakistan with a four-member film crew. They interviewed friends and family of Malala for their documentary. He said insurgency in the volatile tribal regions make it one of the most dangerous areas in South Asia for working journalists.
“The region is still very, very dangerous for journalists. When I go through our footage and my memories of our time spent there, I get goose bumps,” said Abbas.
Abbas, an award-winning Pakistani-Canadian journalist, filmmaker and press freedom activist, is editor of the Diversity Reporter, a multilingual weekly newspaper for newcomers and immigrants in Canada.
He plans to rejoin his crew in Pakistan in July for the second phase of filming and post-production work. Abbas is attempting to raise $20,000 to complete the film, which he hopes to present to the public this September.
The film explores how the failure to silence Malala has inspired men, women and children, not only in Swat Valley, but beyond the borders of Pakistan. The documentary tells how a young girl from a remote village stood up against Stone Age ideologues, who wanted to take a nation of 200 million back in time. Malala became a shining light and force for change, not only in her Swat Valley, but around the world, said Abbas.
“We have some remarkable interviews about how she has changed the mindsets of people. A prime example is a woman we interviewed whose family business for generations had been (traditional folk) dancing. This woman told us because of Malala, her daughters will not dance, but will go to school.”
He said the females in this woman’s family have never been formally educated but learned how to make money for the home through performance of their traditional folk dances.
The film also explores the political intrigue and conspiracy theories that swirl around the attempted murder of Malala, said Abbas. The documentary, which will be in Urdu with English subtitles, will
explain how the oppression of women, political tensions and social injustices led to the horrendous attack on the young schoolgirl.
At the height of the insurgency, 401 out of 1,576 schools in the Swat Valley were destroyed by the Taliban. About 70% of the destruction targeted schools for girls. Some 60,000 children in the region have been deprived of education, with girls suffering appalling rates of illiteracy.
The Pakistani government’s record on education is also of great concern, with less than 3% of gross domestic product spent on education – among the lowest in the world. The government spends seven times more on its military than on education.
Being a Pakistani-born journalist, said Abbas, he believes he can bring deeper understanding of the culture and political turmoil that resulted in the attack on Malala.
Having survived being shot by the Taliban, Malala recently returned to school in Birmingham, England, where she now lives with her family while receiving treatment. She has also signed a book deal worth a reported $3 million. I am Malala is expected to be published this fall.
She has become the youngest person to ever be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, and is a favourite to win because she embodies the causes of women and girls’ right to education, the plight of youth, and the fight against extremism.
Abbas said he intends to direct part of the proceeds from his documentary film to a school for girls in Pakistan to establish a library in Malala’s name.

The exhibition, a Canadian exclusive, celebrates the independent Sikh spirit under the leadership of Banda Singh Bahadur, spanning the years 1708-1716. It begins with Banda’s meeting with Guru Gobind Singh, and includes materials that illuminate major incidents, significant forts and historical artifacts. Additionally, quotes from contemporary sources have been woven throughout the exhibit to create a sequential order of events as they occurred until Banda’s martyrdom.

“PDL Canada is proud to introduce The Khalsa Raj: Banda, Battles & Body Politic exhibition to Canadians. The exhibit helps to showcases the importance of digitizing Panjab’s heritage and PDL’s mission,” said President of PDL Canada Baljinder Kaur Narang.

Organized chronologically and thematically, the installation was conceived with an eye to illustrate the rich and ongoing dialogue about the impact Banda had on the psyche of the rulers of that time. A sampling of material includes reproductions of unpublished contemporary letters in Marwari, which afford a context that illuminates the concerns and ambitions the cultural group in that timeframe. The exhibition unfolds with paintings illustrating the events and eyewitness accounts of the executions of the Sikhs and Banda.

The Khalsa Raj: Banda, Battles & Body Politic exhibition is free to visitors and open to all ages.

The exhibition will be accompanied by mounted images of the exhibition. The images are curated by Panjab Digital Library and will be available during exhibition hours ($15 each).

A range of events and education programs will complement the exhibition. Highlights include:

Media Launch will animate the exhibition April 11, 2013 at 2 pm; illustrating the key role PDL Canada and the exhibition have for preserving Panjab’s heritage and culture
Guided Tour presented April 18, 2013 at 2pm. Explore the exhibition with skilled guides who will describe how it relates to culture and history. Tour is suggested for audience of 16+. Advance notice is recommended. (To reserve a spot contact: 604.805.5824 or 778.773.0899)
The Khalsa Raj: Banda, Battles & Body Politic Talk will take place on April 19, 2013 at 6:30pm. Featuring renowned speaker, Harinder Singh, Educator and Activist, discussing the essence of the Sikh spirit under the leadership of Banda Singh Bahadur, spanning the years 1708-1716.

Rishi Kapoor Agneepath

Best Debut – Female

Ileana D’Cruz Barfii

Best Debut – Male

Ayushman Khurana Vicky Donor

Best Actress – Supporting Role

Dolly Ahluwalia Vicky Donor

Best Actor – Supporting Role

Annu Kapoor Vicky Donor

Best Actor – Comic Role

Abhishek Bol Bachchan

Best Playback – Female

Shalmali Kholgade Ishaqzaade

Best Playback – Male

Sonu Nigam Agneepath

Best Lyrics

Gulzar Jab Tak Hai Jaan

Best Music Director

Ajay Atul Agneepath

Best Debut Director – Critics

Gauri Schinde English Vinglish

Best Film – Critics

Gangs of Wasseypur

Best Actor Female – Critics

Deepika Cocktail

Best Actor Male – Critics

Irfaan Khan Paan Singh Tomar

Best Director – Popular

Anurag Basu Barfii

Best Film – Popular

Barfii

Best Actor – Female

Priyanka Chopra Barfii

Best Actor – Male

Ranbir Kapoor Barfii

November 24 at 10:00am until November 25 at 6:00pm in EST
Visual Arts Mississuaga, 4170 Riverwood Park Lane
Mississauga, Ontario L5C 2S7

To learn more, visit www.SabihaImran.com
or
www.Facebook.com/sabihahimran.

Dates of Exhibit:
Friday, November 23, 2012 (By invitation only)
Start time: 7:00 pm

Saturday, November 24, 2012 and Sunday, November 25, 2012
Open from: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm each day

Jafry’s documentary on South Asian seniors will be shown by Omni TV on Nov. 18 & 25

Syed Ghulam Panjatan Jafry, a prominent broadcaster and producer of numerous
documentaries on varied subjects, added another feather to his cap with his latest interesting production. This time he produced an excellent and useful documentary portraying the life of South Asian Seniors in Canada. The hour long documentary entitled – On Their Own: The Trials of South Asian Seniors, is in five languages – English, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali and Gujarati with each documentary containing DV (descriptive video). All these documentaries will be presented on Omni TV.

The first documentary that will be in English will be shown on November 18, 2012 at 8 p.m.and the second documentary in Gujarati will go on air on November 25, 2012, also at 8 p.m.

This documentary was fully funded by the OMNI Ontario Independent Production Initiative, said Jafry Jawad Jafry and Richard Landau are the co-producers of the documentary.

“On Their Own: The Trials of South Asian Seniors”, examines the plight of senior immigrants of South Asian origins.”Through a focus on some elderly people surviving on their own, the documentary examines the loneliness, abandonment and fear that many of Canada’s immigrant seniors experience,”

Born in the city of Jaipur, , India, on April 15,1939, he established Jafry Communications in 1967, Toronto. Since then he produced 23 TV Series of more than 9000 TV programs and over 3136 one hour Radio programs. Jafry visited 26 Countries and 114 cities in Africa, Asia, Europe & North America. Since 1975 Jafry raised more than seven million dollars for religious & social organizations of Canada. His other achievements include:
- Established first Indian & Pakistani Theater in 1966.
- First Indian & Pakistani Radio Program- 1969
- First Indian & Pakistani Cable TV. program-1969
- First Indian & Pakistani TV Program on Network 1978
- First Canada Wide Live Broadcast from Mississauga, On., Canada, 1993
- First Indian & Pakistani Canada Wide Telethon on TV. 1993
- First Indian & Pakistani USA & CANADA wide Fund Raising for Hospital 1994
- First Indian & Pakistani, Canada & Great Britain TV Programs 1995
- First Shia Majlis on TV in Canada on Vision TV Network, June 08, 1996
- Printed more than 30 Show & Business Directories.
- Ramadan Evening Radio Program on CJRN RADIO 710 AM, BY IMAGE Group.
-Helped Largest number of Radio & TV Broadcasters in Establishment of their Broadcast Business.

Every year, Canadians participate in the Remembrance Day ceremony and pay special tribute to those compatriots who died defending their country during the wars.

Until recently, nothing much was known about handful of Sikhs who joined the Canadian army and fought during the First World War

This year on Remembrance Day another little known part of Canadian history was brought to light by the hour-long documentary “Canadian Soldier Sikhs: A Little Story in a Big War.”

The documentary reveals the fascinating and untold story of those Sikh immigrants who enlisted in the Canadian Army during the World War I, reminding Canadians of the many challenges faced by ethno-cultural groups in the process of making Canada their home.

They were volunteers who fought, and some died, for a country that was not only discouraging and preventing South Asians from immigrating to Canada but were also denying them Canadian citizenship.

With a long military tradition Sikhs have always been at the forefront in serving their country. Over 65,000 Sikh soldiers fought in WWI as part of the British Army and over 300,000 Sikhs fought against German and Japanese tyranny in WWII.

While searching for information on a group of 40 Sikhs who came to Victoria, British Columbia in 1906 -1907 for his film “Searching for the Sikhs of Tod Inlet,” David Gray discovered that eight Sikhs, with the surname Singh, had enlisted in the Canadian Army in the First World War. Two additional Canadian soldier Sikhs have since been found. This part of Canadian Sikh history was virtually unknown and thus of great interest to the Canadian Sikh community.

The film goes back in time to observe the soldiers on their journey. From the enlistment process and training, to their transport to France by ship and their return to civilian life, the documentary features the struggles these Sikh soldiers faced and the battles they fought, including those during which two of the men were killed.

The film also follows one injured soldier back to Canada on a hospital ship and to Kitchener’s TB hospital.

He was 25-year-old Private Buckam Singh, who came to Victoria, British Columbia from Mahilpur village in the Hoshiarpur District of Punjab in 1907 at age 14 and eventually moved to Toronto area in 1912/1913.

He fought for Canada, came back and died alone in Kitchener, far from his birthplace in 1919 in a community that did not know the funeral rights of Sikhs. His grave in Kitchener is the only known First World War Sikh Canadian soldier’s grave in Canada.

His family, who lived in Punjab, British India, knew nothing about his time at war. They just received a notice when he died.

While he never got to see his family again and died forgotten almost 93 years ago, his heroic story has only recently been reclaimed and celebrated.

About five years ago, Sandeep Singh Brar, a historian from Brampton bought a Victory Medal that led him to a Kitchener cemetery, where he found the tombstone of Private Buckam Singh. With the discovery of the Victoria Medal of Private Buckam Singh a heroic story of bravery and adventure has been uncovered.

He enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the spring of 1915. He served with the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion in the battlefields of Flanders during 1916.

Buckam Singh, whose grave drew little attention for almost 90 years, now attracts hundreds people every year for Remembrance Day Sikh prayers at the Kitchener cemetery.

Images of his war grave, a remembrance service almost 90 years after his death, and the story of how his war medal was discovered, bring a personal touch to the film.

The film ends with the story of the soldiers’ return to civilian life, the tracing of their descendants, and the visit to the European grave sites of two of the Canadian Sikh soldiers.

Singh who died alone without his family has once again been reunited and embraced by his fellow Sikh Canadians after a separation of nearly a century.

Mohsin Abbas is Pakistani-Canadian journalist, filmmaker and press freedom activist. He is the editor of Diversity Reporter, a multilingual weekly newspaper for newcomers and immigrants in Canada. Currently he is on a mission, travelling across Canada to document South Asian-Canadians stories. You can share your migration tales by contacting him at editor@diversityreporter.com

The gravestone of Private Buckam Singh. – Photos courtesy Sikh Museum

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