INCLUDES VIDEO | Discover why this ‘Mahrajan’ attracted so many guests – including many from outer East Portland – this year …
Welcoming guests to the 2022 Arab Mahrajan at Oaks Amusement Park are volunteer Sarah Qirem; the Secretary of the Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon, Mona Albabtain; and Board Member Nada Maisse.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The combination of its being the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, that the weather was lovely, and that the hospitality of nonprofit, historic Oaks Amusement Park left nothing to wish for made September 4 the perfect day for 11th annual Arab Mahrajan.
“A ‘Mahrajan’ is a celebration; and the idea of what we’re doing here is celebrating the culture and the diversity of Arab Americans here in our community,” explained Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon (AACCO) President Nadia Dahab.
AACCO President Nadia Dahab, co-founder and Board Member Rima Ghandour, and co-founder and President Hala Gores, pause during the 2022 Arab Mahrajan for a photo.
“2019 was our last time here at historic Oaks Amusement Park; we had to take two years off, of course, due to the COVID pandemic,” Dahab told East Portland News.
“Now, to see this festival flourish again like this is so epic and exciting for those of us at AACCO who work to plan it,” Dahab enthused. “Here it is, early afternoon, and there’s more people here than we’ve seen in years past!
Belly dancer Bevin Victoria charms the crowd with her performances of “dance Orientale”.
“I think it’s the excitement of getting to see everyone again – to get together and dance, shop among our vendors, smell and taste the authentic food here – this is something that everybody is really excited about today.”
After the festival was over, AACCO co-founder and Board Member Rima Ghandour estimated that more than 4,000 people had attended the eleventh local Arab Mahrajan this year.
Cooking more servings of aromatic Shawarma is Namim Najm.
Minutes after his performance begins, charismatic entertainer Raid Alasmar has groups of people dancing.
A highlight for many guests was the performance in the Oaks Outdoor Pavilion of singer and songwriter Raid Alasmar. Accompanied by his “one man band” Amir, Alasmar’s captivating performance style had groups of line dancers swirling around before the end of his first number.
Throughout the afternoon, Alasmar kept the party going as fresh dancers came in to replace those exhausted from energetic terpsichore.
Here’s a video illustrating this unique event:
About the music on video: a Middle East ‘music publisher’ claimed the live, original music performed at this event was under their Copyright; and refused to allow it to be used. YouTube blocked the entire video. That ‘s why we replaced the original soundtrack, recorded at the event, with music that sounds a bit odd.
The festival also featured performances by other Arab musicians, dancers, and poets, before the day was out.
As the 2022 Arab Mahrajan gets underway families meet, talk, and dine at picnic tables in the sight of Oaks Amusement Park’s thrill rides.
“Ours is a diverse community; 22 countries are part of the Arab world,” explained Dahab. “Arab people here at this celebration each have their own story for bring here from different places around the world.
“The culture that we bring and elevate here at this Mahrajan – including the music, the dancing, the food, and the relationships – this is sort of the common thread that brings us all together,” Dahab said.
Observing that many non-Arab people were attending and enjoying the day, Dahab added, “Our goal here is to create an inclusive place. Part of that is sharing with everyone the diversity and richness of our heritage in our cultures, and to help people understand it.
Vendor Katie Miranda shows some of her popular handmade Arab Calligraphy Jewelry, also available at www.KatieMiranda.com.
“At the same time, this is also all about developing connections among ourselves, and all people here who live in this area,” Dahab ereflected. “This day brings people from all backgrounds together – in a joyful and positive way that only this kind of event can do.”
Learn more about the Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon, a nonprofit organization, at their website: CLICK HERE.
© 2022 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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