The second annual New England Muslim Festival, featuring music, dance and food representing the global heritage of where the faith of founder Muhammed is practiced, will be held Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., at 195 Canal St.
Volunteer organizers of the cultural event, designed to “welcome one and all to learn about Islam and get to know it,” say last year’sfestival attracted some 3,000 participants to this diversesuburbancity, of 60,000 people, about five miles northwest of Boston.
“We were thrilled by the success of last year’s festival, and we can’t wait to welcome our community again this year,” said Malika MacDonald, one of the organizers who has long been active in her community through Islamic Circle of North America Relief USA.
“In these times of widespread misunderstanding about American Muslims, it’s more important than ever that we show our neighbors who we truly are.”
She added, “The festival is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate our differences in a relaxed setting.”
“It’s kinda ‘come have fun with a Muslim’ approach, as in we’re human too. It gives people an opportunity to experience the arts and culture of the Muslim world dispelling many of the stereotypes associated with Muslims,” MacDonald said.
“What better way than through food and entertainment to develop relationships. We welcome the curious to come, enjoy and enter into dialogue with those attending.”
Presented in partnership with the city of Malden and Cambridge Health Alliance, entertainers scheduled for the festival include Deen Squad, consisting of two musicians from Canada dedicated to combining “the raw essence of the urban hip-hop genre with core tenets of spirituality and values in the effort to rouse appreciation of the contemporary Muslim identity in today’s youth"; a troupe presenting Bhangra dance and music, associated with northwestern India and northeastern Pakistan; and the Turkish Musical Orchestra.
The free event will also include a Kid’s Zone with rides and activities, an informational booth with a “Try on Hijab” table, the head covering worn by Muslim women, and a professional henna artist as well as an international bazaar with food stalls.
According to the Pew Research Center, Muslims comprise 1 percent of adults in Massachusetts with Christians at 58 percent and Jews, 3 percent. Of the 58 percent who are Christian, 34 percent identify themselves as Catholic.
In the Greater Boston area, according to the Pluralism Project of Harvard University, Islam “encompasses a diverse community of over 50,000 adherents served by nearly 50 different mosques, schools, and community organizations.”
According to latest FBI statistics, the number of hate crimes reported against Muslims nationally jumped by 67 percent in 2015.
At least one reporthas said anti-Muslim hate crimes spiked 400 percent across in the country in 2016.