Recently the Board Members of Pakistani American Forum/Merit Grants for Young Women (MGYW) hosted MGYW's 2017 fundraiser in a local hotel. Dr. Sana Kamdar emceed the event with Adam Jandga reciting from the Holy Quran. This followed with introduction of the new MGYW officeholders for 2017-2018. The program included speeches by the Consul General of Pakistan Abdul Jabbar Memon and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Walnut. Dr. Sana Khan made a powerful powerpoint presentation on women's status as defined in Islam; later, he also conducted MGYW fundraising with

Dr. Bina Kamdar. Nine MGYW projects were introduced by MGYW Board Members: Tasneem Afzal, Sufia Altaf, Iram Iqbal, Bilquis Haider, Farhana Mohamed, Shaista Khan (could not attend), Zeenat Jandga, Zille Huma Zaman and Bina Kamdar (presented a video). Dr. Quratulain Bakhteari, founder of IDSP of Pakistan, highlighted activities of her organization, which focuses on community development. This year MGYW introduced Women's Achievement Awards with Manaal Jafrey-Razaque and Professor (Dr.) Suraiya Rasheed being the recipients of first youth and women's achievement awards, respectively. The program also included Karoaki music and raffle prizes. MGYW is grateful to its volunteers Sana Kamdar, Fiza, Aena, and Zara Nadeem, Farhan Kamdar, and Osman Mohamed.

(Report prepared by Farhana Mohamed; Photography by Jason Haider Studio)