The George Washington of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, received a long overdue heroes honor in the heart of Brooklyn’s Little Pakistan over the weekend.
That after Pakistan American Youth Organization (PAYO) and a slew of elected officials including Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, City Council Members Jumaane Williams, Mathieu Eugene and Chaim Deutsch, and Assembly Members Rodneyse Bichotte and Robert Carroll designated the intersection of Coney Island and Foster avenues with a street-sign co-naming of Muhammad Ali Jinnah Way.
Jinnah (1846-1948) was a lawyer, politician, and the founder of Pakistan. He served as the leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until Pakistan’s independence on Aug. 14, 1947, and then as Pakistan’s first Governor-General until his death.
“PAYO is as American as America can be,” said Adams. “The LIttler Pakistan designation must happen and it will happen.”
Adams noted that it was only a few short years ago when the World Trade Center was attacked, and the entire Pakistani community along Coney Island Avenue was decimated.
“In the middle of the night they took young people from their homes, businesses were closed and the community was demonized,” recalled Adams. Now, no-one will be able to drive down the street without seeing the seeing the father of Pakistan as they move forward which shows the greatness of our country.”
Williams noted how Jinnah epitomizes the fight for freedom, just as the Pakistani community means so much to the local neighborhood and is now part of the culture and fabric of Brooklyn.
“I’m so thankful for the Pakistani community and the Muslim community. This is what America is really about,” said Williams.
