Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, July 2009, pages 52-53

Arab-American Activism

Arab-American Heritage Celebrated in Gaithersburg

	Mayor Sidney Katz welcomes people to the heritage celebration and thanks Gaithersburg organizers (Staff photo D. Hanley).

ARAB AMERICANS and their friends and neighbors filled the Bohrer Park Activity Center May 3 in Gaithersburg, MD, a suburb of Washington, DC. Lovely Arabic music provided by DJKamal Salhi filled the room as shoppers browsed and chatted at booths filled with T-shirts, jewelry, books, embroidery, soaps and traditional clothing. People snacked on Middle Eastern food, decorated their hands with henna designs, and stopped by informational tables staffed by representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), as well as a voter registration booth.

One mother and child stopped to purchase a red, green, black and white key ring shaped like a map of Palestine from the Washington Report’s booth. “This is a map of your country,” she told him. “It says Palestine.”

“Right,” the little boy said solemnly, as he reverently clasped the key ring.

Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz welcomed people to the Arab American Heritage Festival and read his city’s proclamation. A spirited folk dance performance by the talented George Mason University debke troupe “Night Knights” electrified onlookers. After the show dancers gave lessons to audience members, including Mayor Katz.

Palestinian poet Mai Mashini read her allegorical poem about Gaza, about a defiant captive speaking to her jailer. The Abjadiyah Arabic Language School choir performed songs. Finally volunteer models donned stunning traditional dresses from many Arab countries for a fashion show.

As the festival ended, and the Middle Eastern music faded, participants filed back out to resume their Sunday afternoon routines in this typical American suburb, already looking forward to next year’s festival. For more information on the debke dancers contact < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >.

—Delinda C. Hanley

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