Western Courier

Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Martyn Davis Abdul Noonari shows students and faculty different aspects of Pakistan.

Students and faculty chose food from Pakistan over snacks and dining plans at the Center for International Studies' Cultural Café on Tuesday in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

Sampling free foreign cuisine wasn't the only perk for attendees; a 25-minute presentation on Pakistan was given by Fulbright scholar Abdul Noonari. The presentation addressed the more than 5,000-year-old civilization that became the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in 1947.

Reviewing its history included traditional attire, sports, demographics, economics and pictures of Pakistani landmarks viewable in a slideshow. The opportunity for Noonari to speak about his country was most valuable to the event.

"The Cultural Café is not as much about the different countries as it is more about the people in our classrooms and communities," said Kevin Timlin, associate director of CIS. "It gives them the opportunity to share their culture."

Students lined up for a plate of a ground chicken and cashew dish called shahi chicken, a vegetable medley named vegetable julfraizi and kheer, a sweet cup of crushed almonds, milk, sugar, rice and cardamom.

The appearance of the shahi chicken may have deterred some, but it was still well received.

"If it gets you sick, at least it would look the same as when it went down," said Tiffany Holm, senior communication major. "But it's surprisingly good."

The students were able to digest knowledge as well.

"I was surprised that the official language of Pakistan is English," said Parker Dunning, senior construction management major. "I learned a lot of interesting little stuff like that."

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