Replies

THIS IS SOBERING! LOL LOL

Festival celebrates Arabic culture
By MARY IARROCI
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 18, 2005)

The Arab-American community celebrated with traditional food, dancing and musical performances yesterday during an annual festival of Arabic culture.

Hundreds attended the Arab Heritage Festival at Tibbetts Brook Park, YONKERS , where County Executive Andy Spano said July 17, 2005, was "Arab-American Heritage Day" in Westchester.

"The Arab-Americans contribute so much to our culture and heritage here in Westchester County," Spano, who has visited Palestine and Jordan, said. "It's important to never lose sight of where you came from."

The festival was hosted by the Arab-American Council in association with Westchester County Parks.

Majed Samarneh, president of the Arab-American Council, said the organization seeks to educate people about Arabic culture.

Issa Eraifej, a council member who organizes the festival, said not all Arabs are of the same religious faith, adding that he is a Christian. He said the importance of the festival was to "show culture and history."

Eraifej's daughter Mastanna Eraifej, 12, helps her father organize the event.

"I am proud to be Arab, and it's nice to celebrate our culture here," Mastanna Eraifej said.

Her sister, Alessandra Eraifej, 9, said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang "God Bless America" before dancing to Arabic music under the performance tent. She said her favorite part of the festival is the dancing.

"Onstage, it doesn't matter; everybody could dance," Alessandra Eraifej said.

Yonkers real estate agent Ruba Marji thanked the county for its help with the festival, which she has attended for the past 16 years. Marji watched her son, Omar, 16, play football as she greeted relatives and friends.

"We're all like family," Marji said. "Kids are safe here. I encourage other Arabs to bring their kids so that they can meet other Arabic kids."

Khuloud "Cathy" Alharb offered friends Arabic coffee from Jordan in cups with "welcome" written in Arabic. District attorney candidate Tony Castro said the council gives him a "warm reception" and always greets him with food, soda and coffee.

"They do treat me like family here," Castro said.

Fadi Qussous has been coming to the festival for 11 years and is president of Jordan Travel in Yonkers. "It's nice meeting customers on a personal level," Qussous said. "A lot of people here today use the agency for travel to the Middle East."

Majd Maghamez sold Middle Eastern merchandise under a tent and predicted the Arkila, a hookah pipe, would be the most-sold item.

"We sell Middle Eastern jewelry, electronics and gifts, but the pipes will be best," Maghamez said.

Marcella Eraifej, Issa Eraifej's wife, said the traditional performances and customs at the festival would teach children to be proud of their Arabic culture.

"We're still Arabs," Marcella Eraifej said. "We respect and care about each other."