Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi told a large audience in New York that there were wide gaps in perception and understanding among world cultures and underscored the need to debunk the widespread stereotypes that still prevail about Muslims in the West, says a press release received here today from New York.
Speaking at the preview of an Exhibition by the Children’s Museum of New York, “Muslim Cultures Near and Far”, she said that the exhibition was about “promoting understanding, respect, tolerance and peace among world cultures.
The Exhibition aims to celebrate the richness and diversity of Muslim cultures from around the world. The Children’s Museum will present the diverse lives and experiences of Muslim communities, including from Pakistan, through innovative mediums of sights, sounds and stories.
Appreciating the efforts of Children’s Museum, she said that the exhibition, which will open in early 2016, would make Muslim culture accessible to children at an early age. “This is a great way to challenge and negate the widespread stereotypes”, she added.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN said that she was particularly pleased that through this innovative exhibit so many children and families would be introduced to Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and many other Islamic cultures from across the world. This was especially important at a time when Pakistani art and music was thriving and taking artistic expression to new levels of excellance.
She termed the Exhibition as “timely” in a globalized world and said that promoting understanding and respect among world cultures were shared and contemporary imperatives as “we raise our children and prepare them to be global citizens”.
Ambassador Lodhi also praised the contribution of Pakistani Americans to the US and its diverse culture.
In her address, Ambassador Lodhi encouraged the diplomatic community, the United Nations, Pakistani diaspora and the media to spread the word and support the Museum and this unique exhibition in whatever way they could.
Donald Camp, Senior Adviser to the US Mission in New York in his remarks highlighted the importance of inter-cultural harmony and understanding with the Muslim world. He also recounted the contribution of Muslim communities to the US.
Mr. Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan explained the whole concept of the Exhibition and how it would help the children to understand various aspects of Muslim cultures around the world.
The Reception at the Pakistani Mission had displays of art, ceramics and other forms of cultural expression from Pakistan and other Muslim countries. A sitar and table player entertained guests at the reception.
The event was largely attended by the diplomatic community, UN officials and members of the Pakistani diaspora who enthusiastically viewed the exhibits.
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