NOUREEN  KARMALI

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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N O U R E E N   K A R M A L I

(Exclusive News Report to Sada-e-Watan Sydney)

Introducing Noureen Karmali:

Born in the industrial city of Karachi, in the Province of Sind, Pakistan, on 12th October, Noureen Karmali is the youngest child of the Karmali family, whose forefathers originally hailed from Gwadur in the province Baluchistan, Pakistan. Since childhood Noureen had a flair for the performing arts and always dreamt of becoming some day an anchor person. It was her love for glamour, blended with her charming personality that encouraged Noureen to take part in the Miss Pakistan World Beauty Pageant which was held in Toronto, Canada. This was her first step into the world of glamour and showbiz. The pageant brought Noureen under the limelight and she received several opportunities of different scopes and dimensions. Noureen’s childhood dream became a reality when she accepted the offer from Asian Television Network (ATN), to be the first female anchor of Pakistani origin for a day time talk show titled “Tauruf”. During the remainder of her tenure as Miss Pakistan World 2005, she feels that the most important duty is to help raise funds for the earthquake victims in Pakistan. She encourages all Pakistani women to actively participate in national and international forums and thus earn a rightful place in society. Noureen is convinced that it is high time that women from every corner of the globe break free from stereotypical societal views and emerge from their outdated cultural assumptions. Noureen is presently studying to build her future and career in the medical field.

Her hobbies are dancing, singing and listening to various types of music – both from Pakistani and international artists. She has also been involved in various cultural music albums produced and directed by well-known music artists from Pakistan, USA and Canada.

Question 1

Tell us about yourself.

Answer 1

First of all, I would like to seize this opportunity to thank you for arranging this session and I feel proud and elevated to appear for this interview conducted by a renowned and prestigious media.
Hailing from Gwadur in Baluchistan {Pakistan} where my forefathers were born, I am the youngest but the only daughter of the KARMALI family. I have two elder brothers both studying and working in Toronto. Recently, I celebrated my 20th birthday. Academically, I am a student of Nursing while, in my Professional life, I am holding the position of an Assistant Manager in a leading company dealing with promotional, advertising and give-away items. Having been graced with a refined blend of both Eastern and Western cultures and traditions, I have flair to further the cause of humanitarian service - to help and nurse the weak and sick in whatever capacity I could physically perform. This was the chief purpose of enrolling myself as a Nursing student, which, upon completion of my course, would provide me with the forum to excel in this noble cause. Prior to being crowned, I had actively rendered voluntary services both within the Ismaili community to which I belong, as well as having provided voluntary services at functions, projects and local community events initiated by agencies of Greater Toronto area such as Toronto Winterfest, World Partnership Walk, Ismaili 10km Run for Charity, Toronto Streetfest, Food Bank, United Way Walk and the Canadian Citizenship Court.

After I was crowned, I had the privilege of being the inaugural anchorperson with Asian Television Network for their first-ever program entitled “Tauruf”. Also, I was graced with the benevolence of representing Pakistan, in my capacity as the reigning Queen of Miss. Canada Pakistan, at events such as: Bhangra Nation, (b) The Talent Competition and Gala Night organized by Miss Canada Globe Productions held in August 2005, (c) Performed as a Cultural Ambassador of Pakistan at The Cruise-Mosaic held in April, 2005, (d) Durham Arts Festival held in September, 2005 (e) Interviewing internationally renowned celebrities and Hollywood stars at the Reel World Festival held in April, 2005, (f) Indo Pak Independence Day Reception organized jointly by South Asian Regional Co-operation Council of Canada and the Asian Canadian Support Center held in August, 2005 (g) Participated in various sessions of Interview &- Photo shoot, (h) Interviewing personalities at the Metro Hall for the event titled “Walk the Walk. Change The World” - World Partnership Walk, (i) Interviewing dignitaries at the Corporate Donors Luncheon of The Aga Khan Foundation (Canada) Partnership Walk, (j) Been involved with various cultural music albums produced and directed by well-known music peers from Pakistan and Canada.

Question 2

Who or what inspired you to sign up for Miss Pakistan World formerly known as Miss Canada Pakistan?

Answer 2

As you indicated in your “opening introduction”, it was my mother who inculcated in me the discipline of Pakistani culture, rich traditions and high values. Being in possession of wealth and knowledge of this faculty, I was encouraged by my parents and brothers who inspired me to exploit my hidden talents and skills by participating in the third Beauty Pageant of Miss. Pakistan World held in Toronto. I was convinced that Pageants are one of many such forums where one could mould and emerge as “ambassadors” and it is in this context that I would like to underline the fact that it was this platform that provided me with the magnificent opportunity to convert my dream into reality. I never expected that such an opportunity would come my way because to form a “dream” is quite simple but I never expected that my dream would take its form and format so soon and that, too, in a Westernized country where freedom prevails. In my school days, I came across a quote, which says: If dreams can come true, all beggars would hasten to dream.
 

Question 3

What are your future goals?

Answer 3

As part of my job profile, I am to represent Pakistan at national and international forums and I have these plans scheduled to take place shortly. Also, among the many things that I would like to fulfil, as part of my goals, is to help raise funds for The Hospital for Sick Children and other worthy Toronto and international charities. One of my goals is also to encourage all Pakistani women to actively take part in national and international forums and Pageants and thus earn a rightful place in this male-dominated world. I am convinced that there are several Pakistani as well as South Asian women who possess superior quality and caliber and they should come forward and exploit their hidden, but magnificent, skills and talents. I agree that in the face of existing critics, not every woman would agree with this type of progress, but if they are forthcoming and spontaneous, I believe this human cargo, if pooled together, can exemplary bring a class of difference in this technologically dynamic 21st century.
 

Question 4

As a Pakistani woman, was there any resentment from your community about doing the show?

Answer 4

It is of paramount importance to make it clear to all concerned that our Pageants are not being promoted as an “Islamic” event but as a “Pakistani” event. Our Pageant was a secular initiative and it had nothing to do with Islam, which, as a Muslim, I hold its sanctity very near and dear to my heart.

As I am convinced that neither the Pageant encouraged or promoted swimwear competition and nor our institution, Miss. Canada Pakistan Inc.

Question 5

What do you see yourself doing next?

Answer 5

Whether I hold the “title” or not, and you would agree with me that it is an universal on-going process that Beauty Queens arrive and depart upon completion of their tenure of office, I would continue to engage myself with humanitarian services and extend whatever comfort and assistance I could render. I was raised up with the discipline of strict values which are, amongst others, to be generous, to be helpful, to be forgiving, to remain as brothers and sisters and above all to care for the weak and sick.


 

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