65 Students Graduated From Summer Urdu Program On Friday

Sixty-five students graduated from the BRICK Startalk Urdu program on Friday morning at Brooklyn Dreams Charter School (259 Parkville Avenue). The students spent three weeks this August learning to read, write and speak the Urdu language.

The program uses Urdu to develop language and critical thinking skills, foster communication between parents, children and community members, and promote respect for diversity and self esteem.

With the local Pakistani community dealing with the arrest of Hassan Razzaq for the stabbing of his father, Mohammad Razzaq, BRICK leader Shahid Khan emphasized the importance of increasing communication between parents and children.

Students celebrated with traditional songs, recitations, and skits. The room was decorated with posters, artwork, slideshows and other items created during the program.

Brooklyn Dreams Charter School principal Richard Carter said it was a privilege to be able to host this important program.

City Council member Mathieu Eugene spoke to students and their families about the importance of making connections in immigrant communities.

“Immigrant children are often disconnected from their culture,” said Eugene. “Language is one of the ways that we can make that connection. It brings people closer together.”

Borough President Eric Adams also spoke to the students and their families about connecting to other immigrant communities of Brooklyn, past and present.

“It doesn’t matter what language we speak, it matters that we are one Brooklyn,” said Adams.

The program, which ran from August 3-21, was funded by a federal grant and offered in conjunction with the Alliance for the Promotion of Urdu Studies at NYU.