Today's third annual America's Islamic Heritage Celebration to be held as planned

October 17, 2:56 AMDC Muslim ExaminerPriscilla Martinez

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Although the weather may drive the event indoors, the Historical Society of Washington, DC, will host the third annual America's Islamic Heritage Celebration today from noon to 5pm.

This year's theme, "Connecting People Through Cultural Expressions," is intended to highlight "the unity of our diversity," according to Celebration organizers.  Festivities include vendors, children's activities, and multi-cultural displays.  Opening and awards are scheduled from noon to 12:30pm, followed by a discussion on the history of Masjid Muhammad from 1:15pm to 2:30pm.  The discussion will include a book signing by historian and author Amir Muhammad whose Freeman Publications published 'Unique Tombstones in the United States' and 'Early Muslims in America.'  From 2:35pm to 3:20pm, Gihan El-Gindy and Zarinah Shakir will co-lead a discussion titled 'Women's History and Rights in Islam.' The afternoon's events will conclude with a one-act monologue play by Ahmad Kenya about the life and times of Omar ibn Sayyid, an 18th century West African scholar and teacher who was enslaved in America.

Hosted by the Smithsonian's Anacostia Museum in the prior years, the Celebration is consistently well-attended, offering a wonderful afternoon of family fun, education, and strengthening of community relationships.

Celebration sponsors include the Collection & Stories of American Muslims, the Historical Society of Washington, DC, Freeman Publications, and Habeebah's Herbals. 

Scheduled to take place on the grounds of the museum, the event will be moved indoors to the museum's lower level in case of rain.