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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Group hosts annual Halal festival

By Samira Amer, Special to the Packet
The Muslim Youth Community Center (MYCC) held its third Annual Original Halal Food Festival Saturday at Rowland Park.
According to organizers, about 50 vendors and more than 4,000 guests from the tri-state area crowded the Rowland Park fields during the event.
Launched in 2012, the Halal Food Festival was the first of its kind and was an immediate hit inspiring festivals all over the world, from Chicago, to Toronto, to London, all the way to Malaysia and back.
When referring to food, "halal" means foods that are prepared according to Islamic guidelines and are permissible for Muslims to consume.
According to organizers the Halal Food Festival once again provided a fun-filled day for the whole family to enjoy while also supporting local nonfood and food businesses that provide Halal food options to the community.
At the entrance of the park hundreds of kids bounced on inflatable slides and obstacle courses, while others opted to munch down on ice cream and cotton candy.
Immediately upon entering the main part of the festival, the senses were instantly whisked away with the smell of cuisine from all over the world, including Middle Eastern, South Asian, Chinese, Turkish, Afghani, and of course, Hamburgers and Fried Chicken.
After indulging in a savory meal or two, many attendees headed to the sweets section, which included such delectable treats as Pineapple filled smoothies, cake pops, and strawberry and Nutella filled crepes, just to name a few.
Nonfood vendors rounded out the event, selling various ethnic clothing, T-shirts, jewelry, toys, books, and other items.
Comedian Preacher Moss was the Master of Ceremonies for the event, and introduced many of Spoken Word Poets that would headline the event such as Brother Dash, Tahani, Najla, and Najmah45, who performed some of their best hits as the crowds sat in the shade consuming their meals.
An all-day charity soccer tournament provided an athletic retreat for the adults, while the youth competed in their own sporting events like potato sack races and a tug of war.
All proceeds from the event were donated to charity. Photos and video will be uploaded to the website at www.halalfoodfest.org, organizers said.