Day 207: Little Pakistan, Brooklyn, New York
📌APIA Every Day (207) - Little Pakistan, an ethnic enclave in Brooklyn, New York, began forming in the early 1980s along Coney Island Avenue. The neighborhood's growth was catalyzed by the opening of the Makki Masjid mosque in 1982, attracting Pakistani immigrants to the area. Following the Immigration Act of 1990, the Pakistani population in New York City grew from approximately 15,000 to nearly 40,000 by 2000. The area developed into a cultural and commercial center for the Pakistani diaspora, with numerous businesses catering to the community.
The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks marked a turning point for Little Pakistan. In the aftermath, the neighborhood became a focus of intense law enforcement scrutiny, with hundreds of Pakistani immigrants detained, often for minor immigration violations. The implementation of the Special Registration Program in 2002 led to numerous deportations and voluntary departures. Concurrently, the community experienced a sharp increase in hate crimes and harassment, resulting in a significant population decline and business closures. In response to these challenges, community organizations emerged to support the remaining residents. The Council of Peoples Organization (COPO), founded by Mohammad Razvi in 2002, became a central institution in Little Pakistan, providing legal assistance, educational programs, and acting as an intermediary between the community and law enforcement agencies. Despite these efforts, the impact of the post-9/11 period has had lasting effects on Little Pakistan, though the neighborhood has partially recovered in recent years.
In December 2021, a section of Coney Island Avenue in Little Pakistan was officially renamed "Muhammad Ali Jinnah Way" after Pakistan's founder. This renaming was the result of a resolution adopted by the New York City Council on December 26, 2021, following years of lobbying by the Pakistani American community, particularly the Pakistani American Youth Organization (PAYO). The unveiling ceremony took place in 2022, attended by City Council member Jumaane Williams, who had piloted the resolution, and Pakistani Consul-General in New York, Naeem Iqbal Cheema. The event included the formal unveiling of the road sign and celebrations by local Pakistani Americans. This renaming recognizes the contributions of the Pakistani community's presence in Brooklyn, adding to the visible markers of Little Pakistan's cultural identity within New York City's diverse landscape.
LEARN MORE:
Life in the USA: The Amazing Little Pakistan in Brooklyn, New York (YouTube Video)
The New Yorker: Rebuilding Little Pakistan (Video)
Little Pakistan Future Histories Interactive Documentary
The Diplomat: Life in New York’s Little Pakistan
The New Yorker: Fighting for the Immigrants of Little Pakistan
Little NYC: Little Pakistan: Flatbush, Brooklyn
National Youth Organization of Pakistan ( NYOP) USA: Little Pakistan
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