More than 1,200 community members, dignitaries, consulate representatives, and vendors gathered in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 6, for the second annual Global Muslim Village (GMV), hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia.
WATCH: CAIR-LA Hosts Second Annual Global Muslim Village in Los Angeles
The multicultural, family-friendly event featured a global marketplace, halal food stalls, consulate and community booths representing countries from around the world, and CAIR-LA’s Social Justice Film Screening. The event also included a variety of cultural performances, such as tari piring (plate dancing), a drum beating demo, and a bamboo instrumental performance from Indonesian groups; a Senegalese kora (string instrument) performance; and a fashion show featuring traditional Malaysian outfits.
Representatives from the African American community and the Azerbaijan, Belize, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Türkiye consulates also attended the event.
During the program, CAIR-LA and the Indonesian Consulate were presented with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from California Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove’s office recognizing their dedication to uplifting and celebrating the diversity and economic contributions of the Muslim community.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“The purpose of the Global Muslim Village is to celebrate the diversity of our Ummah—our community—and the beauty of Islam and what our faith teaches us. There are nearly two billion Muslims around the world, from every ethnicity, every language, and every background. GMV is dedicated to bringing our cultures and heritage together to showcase the beauty of that diversity.
“During a time when anti-Muslim hate and bigotry are on the rise nationwide, one of the best ways we can combat it is through education, through embracing our shared humanity, and allowing people to appreciate one another—and that’s what GMV is all about.”
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com