Excerpt:
Muslim foodies are celebrating the end of the fast with California's first Halal Fest, where nearly two dozen vendors are selling everything from halal hot dogs to cake pops. All the goodies have been prepared according to Islamic dietary law.
Halal Fest is being held today at New Park Mall in Newark, Calif. The free festival comes on the heels of other halal-focused events elsewhere, including in New Jersey, Chicago and Toronto.
"I got the idea after I visited New York City," said Irfan Rydhan of San Jose, 38, a self-described "halal foodie" and Muslim activist who is one of eight key California Halal Fest organizers. "I saw all these halal food carts, and I wondered why we couldn't do that here."