Arab Fest vendors put culture on display

Mimi Bradley couldn’t contain the joy as she helped curious passer-bys try on caftans from her native Morocco and then prepped others for a fashion show in the traditional garb.

“All I want is for people to enjoy the culture,” she said, as she gave a tour of her expansive collection of Moroccan jewels, clothes, furniture and other trinkets. “People love to see the stuff that’s different than their routine culture.”

Many were drawn to the vibrantly colored gown-like garments, as well as the flashy traditional jewels that adorned her tent near the lake at Lake Eola Park in Orlando.

Her collection has grown with each visit she makes back home and it captures the life in various regions of the north African nation.

And for a people who still Mimi Bradley shows off her expansive collection of Moroccan trinkets at Arab Fest 2018 at Lake Eola Park. battle against negative stereotypes, educating others about their culture was why they participated in the eighth annual Arab Fest.

It brought throngs of people to the park Sunday, but the smells and sounds also attracted others to the collection of tents along Rosalind Avenue at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre.

Neal Abid hoped newcomers to Arab culture would try a new dish for the first time, or meet somebody they may not normally stop to talk with.

“We try to show the positive energy and the positive culture and that we’re no different than any other community,” said Neal Abid, executive director of the Arab American Community Center of Central Florida. “There are a lot of people who don’t know the facts.”

New Orlando resident Mason Miles was at the weekly farmer’s market when the music caught his ear and piqued his interest. Soon enough, he was seated in a tent receiving his first ever Henna tattoo – which is a powder from a flower used to temporarily dye skin.

“This is just awesome,” Miles said as Christianne Crystal Lutchman sketched the design.

For others, it was the scent of falafel, hummus and Turkish coffee that helped ingratiate them with the festival.

Throughout the afternoon, festivalgoers watched a fashion show, belly dance performers and a hip-hop concert by rapper Young Egypt.

Abid’s organization works daily with immigrants and refugees who need help getting adjusted to life in America. That includes registering for insurance, getting certified for work in fields where they have skills and navigating public transportation.

But so far this year new refugees have been at a standstill he said, citing travels bans implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration.

After lower courts previously overturned the restrictions, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed it to be implemented temporarily but will hear arguments next month on its legality before making a formal ruling.

“I think that the main challenge is the image some people have of Arab Americans,” Abid said. “[But] when they come here, they see normal people — they love the food, they love the music.”

He continued, “When somebody comes here, I hope they meet somebody and their stereotypes of Arab Americans will fade away.”