Pakistani Documentary ‘Songs of the Sufi’ Captures Audience Hearts, Wins Top Award at Chicago South Asian Film Festival

Karachi, Pakistan – The Pakistani documentary “Songs of the Sufi” recently garnered the Best Documentary – Audience Choice Award at the 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival, highlighting a notable achievement in showcasing Sufi musical traditions on an international platform. The festival, which took place in Chicago from September 19 to 22, 2024, celebrated a wide array of South Asian films, with this particular documentary standing out among the crowd. Produced by Kamran Anwar and directed by Shahrukh Waheed, the film delves into the rich history of classical qawwali music, told through the experiences of … Read more

Cypress City Council Set to Vote on Switching to District Elections Amid Lawsuit Alleging Asian American Voter Disenfranchisement

CYPRESS, California – The city of Cypress is considering a switch to a district election system after facing a lawsuit alleging that the current at-large system disenfranchises Asian American voters. This move is part of a larger trend in California, where voting rights groups have been advocating for local governments to transition away from at-large systems that they argue disproportionately impact voters of color. While many cities have complied with legal threats and lawsuits, Cypress, along with the city of Brea, initially resisted the change. However, the Cypress City Council is expected to vote on … Read more