Philadelphia Muslims, Non-Muslims Come Together at Festival
“[The festival] gives the Muslims a chance to come together in a family-friendly atmosphere and the chance to socialize and interconnect with the community at large,” said Abdul Rahim Muhammad, ICPIC president. “And it gives us a chance to make a loud statement to the world that we are Muslim Americans and we make a significant contribution to the religious diversity of this country, and we are not terrorists to be feared.”
Prior to the festival, ICPIC hosted a parade that began on 5th and Market streets and ended at Front and Market streets. Marchers said a prayer, greeted the community and issued Islamic salutations, the Philadelphia Tribune reported.
During the festival, families ate from Halal food vendors such as Al-Maidah Southern Cuisine, and Aquil Fish and Wings; received Henna body art; bought accessories and Islamic garments from independent boutiques and settled down to listen to poetry and music from a set of Islamic entertainers.
One of the vendors, Latifah Griffin of Latifah Fashions, said she was glad to have the opportunity to bring her passion of making clothes to the masses. She sold women’s apparel in several different styles, colors and prints.
“I love to see the Muslim women look beautiful. That’s what I get the most out of it,” she said. “I love that more than anything because we have to wear this every day, and anything that makes my sisters in Islam look beautiful in Allah’s eyes — I love it.”
Griffin added that selling the garments also gave her the chance to “explain why the Muslim woman is covered” to non-Muslims.
Omar Sabir, a candidate who ran in the primary for city commissioner, was honored with the Islamic Man of the Year award at the festival.
