All photos from @nemuslimfestival on Instagram.
The Malden Muslim Festival, a beloved event in the Malden community, recently returned for a third time on Sunday, September 3rd, after a 6-year hiatus.
In 2017, this same festival attracted over 5,000 members of the Malden community and showcased the different ethnicities of attendees such as Moroccan, Algerian, Indo-Pak, Bangla, Far East, and Hispanic. Once again, this festival was hosted by the New England Muslim Association and held at the Malden Islamic Center. The event not only brought the Islamic community of Malden together, but introduced the cultures of distinct Muslim communities to those who were previously unaware. The association's overall mission for these cultural events is to “unite local Muslim communities in New England, fostering appreciation and understanding by showcasing diverse cultural aspects.”
The vibrant cultures presented at this event showcased the unique sense of diversity and unity that the city of Malden prides itself on, as noted by Mayor Gary Christenson: “These types of events reinforce what I already know, which is that Malden is a city that values its diversity. It provides the community with the opportunity to share traditions and customs while at the same time promoting understanding and acceptance.”
The festival hosted notable members of the Malden and Massachusetts community such as Police Chief Glenn Cronin, Tawakkol Abdel-Salam Khalid, Mayor Gary Christenson, and Senator Edward J. Markey, allowing them a chance to “get inspired” by significant members of the Muslim community and beyond. Apart from the personalities at the festival, activities and events were displayed such as traditional dances by the Dabka group, cultural songs performed by the Noor Ensemble, and an Islamic attire contest that exhibited different Muslim countries' cultures through their outfits. The festival also provided local businesses with the opportunity to display their products to a wider audience of Malden and Massachusetts residents.
With the turnout estimated to be over 5,000 attendees, Mayor Gary Christenson was pleased with the crowd and provided his outlook in regard to the goals and accomplishments of the event. “It was a great event, and I was pleased that it was so well-attended.” Christenson furthers that the festival was “certainly accomplished” as a result of the many people from different areas, cultures, and ethnicities who participated in this event.
