"Philadelphia is lovely at the moment." "I wish we had such events when I was a kid." "This is the first time I feel like I am home." All of these phrases were overheard at the very first Arab Community Day held on July 24th at Penn Treaty Park. The event, which brought over one thousand members of the community to this park along the Delaware River, was organized by the arts and culture non-profit Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture and the Facebook page and Arab community organizer Mohammad Abuhillo. This was only the first of what will be an annual event held in Philadelphia to celebrate Arab music, food, culture, and community The first-ever Philadelphia Arab Community Day was a tremendous success. Working with community partners such as the School District of Philadelphia, the Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Labor we were able to attract what may have been the largest gathering of Arabs in Philadelphia ever. The community was drawn to the event on the waterfront by the promise of live music, art for youth and adults, and food. Al-Bustan took the opportunity to speak directly to the Arab community of Philadelphia about the upcoming election, voter registration, and vaccinations. Interns distributed information about Al-Bustan and encouraged those attending to register to vote or get vaccinated on the spot. Several organizations and companies tabled at the event such as the Pennsylvania healthcare exchange Pennie, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and SEAMAAC. Staff from members of Philadelphia City Council came to connect to the community and were impressed by the crowd. They expressed both astonishment at the success of the event and the regrets of the council members who could not attend on the 24th but would connect with the Arab community at future events. Many others had also expressed interest in attending but were unable to come on the 24th. All afternoon children enjoyed playing on the giant inflatable slide and obstacle course while others played soccer nearby in the field. Meanwhile, parents took the opportunity to picnic under the shade of trees and nearby benches chatting with friends and family, smoking hookah, and enjoying this rare beautiful moment outdoors with the community. The Arab art-making activities led by Al-Bustan and the drum circle and later percussion performance by Hafez Kotain drew a significant crowd. More than 500 falafel sandwiches were distributed by Al-Bustan from Al-Amana Grocery, a small Arab-owned store housed at the location of the largest Arab masjid in the city, Al-Aqsa. Unexpectedly, Al-Salam Grocery donated more than 250 additional falafel and shawarma sandwiches. Mr. Softy ice cream trucks saw the crowd and set up in the parking lot providing a cool afternoon treat. Throughout, after the event, and online many members of the community showered us with praises and flocked to our social media pages. WHYY and other media outlets covered the story in advance while our reach through the Philadelphia Arabs page and the hashtag PhlArabDay was a great success. Arab Community Day was the largest of a series of community block parties organized by Al-Bustan and Philadelphia Arabs this year from Ramadan to November. Additional events will take place at Lawncrest Recreation Center on August 28th, Woodrow Wilson on August 30th, and Tarken Playground on September 25th. These community-focused events have been a great way to connect to the community while providing information about jobs and government offices while also vaccinating the community and making sure every eligible voter is registered for the upcoming election. The upcoming election is so important to Philadelphia. Unfortunately many don›t vote in municipal elections which determine who our District Attorney and Judges will be and many other local elected officials who impact our lives every day. When we come together as a community we amplify our voices. Those who wield political power and others take notice and we are stronger when we help one another. Philadelphia may not have the largest Arab community in the United States but it is a community with heart and great potential. There will be many opportunities to connect as a community in days to come. Make sure you and your children are vaccinated and that you vote in the November election.
By: Mohamed Abu Hillu and David Heayn
