All photos by Ras Siddiqui

It is no secret that refugees from Afghanistan are coming to America in significant numbers due to the recent U.S. departure and change of government there.

Although Northern California is not the prime destination for this new refugee resettlement wave, it will probably absorb a significant number of arrivals due to family relationships to those already present here.

This region of the United States is quite expensive to live in and it is due to this reality that Afghan refugees will face an additional challenge.

A group of South Asians gathered in Chico, Calif., at The Palms, Oct. 10, for an afternoon of music, fashion, and fine food, and raised funds for helping out new Afghan refugees in their quest to start a new life in this country.

With three ladies, Rifat Khan, Lubna Khan and Rahat Khan leading this effort and assisted by Rukhsana Khan, this group was able to generate the right kind of enthusiasm to convert, what is normally a wedding venue, into a seriously fun afternoon, and raised money for the International Rescue Committee’s Soft Landing Fund, a vehicle created to assist arriving Afghan Refugees in Northern California.

According to the organizers “The majority of refugees arriving in Northern California are coming to join family members who are often not yet financially stable themselves. As a result, the refugees served by the International Rescue Committee typically require additional financial support as they get on their feet in the United States.”

Entertainment at this event was presented by the “Legend” musical band. Legend started off as a mainly Pakistani-American band in the Bay Area during 1990’s. The Pakistani-Indian-Fijian American band has Imtiaz Ahmad (vocals), Asim Wali (keyboard), Noor Lodhi (bass guitar) Manesh Judge (drums/percussion) and Mike Overtone (funky guitars). Their rendition of Pakistani pop and Bollywood numbers at this event proved to be quite a treat.

The 100-plus people in attendance were also able to appreciate a short South Asian American fusion fashion show presented by “Desi Ever After” (DEA). According to DEA “Our clothing gives you the freedom to proudly embrace your multi-layered identity and yet, go beyond the confines of traditional desi clothing.” The event ended with an early dinner and a raffle.

To conclude, this outdoor afternoon event was basically all for a cause which we hold dear. Many of us came to this country with very little and have struggled ourselves. The Afghan refugees are arriving here with next to nothing. Every dollar counts, and with the approximately $10,000 raised at this event, the South Asian community has put the ball in motion.