IFWA meeting features live music

Islamabad
After a very wet and gloomy week, the sun shone brightly on Thursday morning and was very welcome, making people feel more cheerful and in the mood to welcome Spring once again. In addition to this feel good mood, the International Foreign Women’s Association’s (IFWA) meeting featuring live music was sort of like a cherry on the cake - something to put those who attended the event in an even better mood! The IFWA Community Center, where the function was held, was quite full and it was nice to see many members and their guests turn up to attend this unusual programme.
Musicians who made up the four man ensemble were high commissioner of Australia, Peter Heyward (flute and vocals) the ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Nedim Makarevic (guitar and vocals); Allan Smith (percussion) and Zeejah Fazl (guitar) both from Pakistan.
The programme began with a warm welcome by the new president of IFWA, Zangah Mosazai a few announcements and the band went into swing mode with some lively numbers - songs that were not too familiar but enjoyable - while the instrumental numbers were slower and more of the kind that put you in a relaxed mood. Peter Heyward sang a rousing ‘I saw her Standing There’ but I did not catch the name of the other numbers sung by him or the others. It was an enjoyable programme that definitely put everyone in an upbeat mood and was a good start to the IFWA New Year season of events, thanks to the sporting attitude of the envoys and their two Pakistani accompanists. There was only one thing puzzling - the audience listened intently and showed their appreciation by applauding wholeheartedly after each number but they were reserved and not clapping along or interacting, so the impression they gave was entirely different!
After a vote of thanks by the president, refreshments were served and ladies stepped out into the lawn to enjoy the warmth of the sun and do some shopping. Shahnaz Mufti - a long time presence at IFWA events - had brought along materials; beautiful china pieces and other knick knacks which she looks for all over and are an attraction for collectors.
Looking forward to next months programme with anticipation, here is a list of the new committee members.
President Zangah Mosazai (Afghanistan), Vice President Ranjana Raghavan (India), Treasurer Dulce Maria Rodriguez Peral (Cuba), Secretary Jasmina Makarevic (Bosnia& Herzegovina), Cultural Habiba Bint Mahmud (Malaysia) and Totra Acharya Paudyal (Nepal), welfare Diana Bao (China) and Nwe Ni Aung (Myanmar), executive members are Roshanara Hossain (Bangladesh), Kumari Weerakkody (Sri Lanka) and Alena Krenkova (Czech Republic).