This petition, and the signatures by the herein undersigned names are a reflection of the tremendous outpouring of support by the entire Desi Diaspora communities of New Jersey, Pakistani, Indian, Bangla, and Nepalese; for Ms. Iman Vellani to appear at the The Pakistan Independence Day Parade, routinely hosting over ten thousand participants, and spectators. It is a time for us to celebrate our heritage, and our unique identities as first-generation Americans, and the children of first-generation Americans who have proudly carried forth a spirit of resilience and hope.

This appearance would mean a tremendous amount to our Desi community; the impact Ms. Vellani, and her exceptionally relatable portrayal the character of Ms. Marvel has been tremendous. We applaud her work with Disney, having taken a very necessary step towards inclusivity, intersectional, and female led protagonists as normative in media portrayals of underrepresented communities.

For too long Muslim and South Asian communities have either suffered minimal representation within the media, or we have been marginalized, portrayed as a vilified ‘exotic other.’ The portrayal of a female, heroic Muslim protagonist, is not only welcome, but we would like to commend you on a very culturally sensitive, empathic, and relatable portrayal of a young Desi girl. The struggles she faces negotiating her identity while coming of age, and navigating the challenges that all young women face, deeply resonates with countless young women who have in Ms.Vellani’s character a positive role model that the future is truly female.

We applaud Ms. Vellani and would like to reiterate how much her attendance would mean to countless members of our South Asian diaspora here in New Jersey. On behalf of our entire Desi diaspora, and the organizing board of The Pakistan Day Parade, to be held here in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in Papaianni Park, Edison, NJ on August 21st, 2022, we wish to extend our warmest felicitations, and an invitation to Ms. Iman Vellani to attend the Pakistan Independence Day Parade, on the above, said date. The entire Desi community of New Jersey would be deeply moved by her presence.