HUM Awards shines spotlight on Houston’s Pakistani community
HUM TV, one of Pakistan’s top channels, first presented its prestigious awards show in 2013.
Since then, Toronto, Dubai and Karachi have hosted the event. This year, it was Houston’s turn. NRG Arena hosted the seventh annual HUM Awards on Oct. 5 — it’s the first time the extravagana has been held in the U.S. The city’s diversity attracted organizers.
“This award is basically for the projection of a softer, more inspiring and appealing image of Pakistan around the world,” said Fawad Azeem, head of HUM TV international operations in North America.
Celebrities on the red carpet made their way in front of the cameras and fans. Houstonians arrived early, waiting to see their favorite faces from HUM TV’s shows.
“Everyone says Houston is a mini Pakistan, and there are a lot of Pakistanis here,” Sultana Siddiqui, president and founder of HUM Network told reporters.
NRG Arena had never held a South Asian awards show of this scale.
“The love of 100,000plus Pakistanis in Houston attracted the HUM Awards here,” Azeem said. “We used this opportunity to crystallize the image of Pakistan as a country of immense beauty, rich culture, fun-loving, joyful people with big hearts who also love to celebrate life with peace, music and dances. People who love to create phenomenal masterpieces of arts and dramas.”
The digital host for the show, Uzair Hasan of NTV media, interviewed redcarpet celebrities as they made their way into the arena.
Getting ready
The preparations began months in advance, starting with the arrival of the network’s team in July. The crew of 100-plus included volunteers from the University of Houston’s Pakistan Student Association, interns from University of St. Thomas, local Houston bloggers and the networks’ own production team.
“The HUM Awards gave us students a chance to feel connected to Pakistani culture,” said Maria Usmani, president of Pakistan Association at the University of Houston. “Pakistani television industry shining here just shows how Houston embraces diversity.”
Helping backstage, filling in for the celebrities, stage management, marketing, wardrobe and security are just a few of the tasks they assisted the HUM team with.
“This show was intended mainly for showing the world a positive image of Pakistan and I believe we achieved that,” said Zohar Mirza, HUM TV’s marketing intern and University of St. Thomas student. “I loved seeing Pakistanis from all over the States gathered under one roof and singing the Pakistani national anthem in one voice. It shows that even if we’re small in numbers, as long as we remain united, we’re destined to do great things together.”
The show
The night began with a military opening and the national anthem of the U.S. The American flag was displayed on the screen and Mayor Sylvester Turner gave a warm welcome to the Pakistani Houstonians before him.
Then the Pakistani national anthem was sung as flag bearers entered with the Pakistani flag.
Performances by Mehwish Hayat, Ahsan Khan, Asim Azhar, Abida Parveen and Hania Aamir set the stage for the night — along with a fireworks display.
Hosts Ayesha Omar, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Sanam Jang and Ali Rehman made it a night of laughter and entertainment.
“Houston, I love you to the moon and back!” said actress Mawra Hocane. In response, the crowd erupted in a loud roar.
“It is my honor to say that the people of Houston did not disappoint us,” Azeem said.