Afestivalof connection,joy &unity—honoring thediverse traditionsofthe Arabworld.
BIGTHANKSTO OURSPONSORS
Dear Friends,
We are delighted to extend our warm greetings to everyone attending SOMA Cross-Cultural Works’ second annual Habibi Fest NJ! This festival celebrates the rich cultural traditions of the Arab world and the beauty of our shared community spirit.
SOMA Cross-Cultural Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to celebrate the cultural diversity of our South Orange and Maplewood communities through education and support of artistic and cultural events We believe that cultural diversity is a powerful force for personal growth and community development. It inspires meaningful dialogue, fosters intercultural connections, and strengthens the bonds that make our community vibrant and welcoming Today, we invite you to savor the flavors of traditional Arab cuisine, experience the beauty of music and dance, and create special moments with your children through interactive workshops. Whether you're joining us for the first time or returning to experience more, there’s something here for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Habibi Fest NJ is not just a celebration it’s a joyful gathering of friends and neighbors It’s about honoring heritage, building bridges, and celebrating the many cultures that make our community thrive. This festival was made possible through the generous support of the Township of Maplewood, Seton Hall University, and volunteers from South Orange and Maplewood We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, vendors, performers, and volunteers for making this event come alive.
Enjoy the festivities!
ARABIC IS SPOKEN BY AS MANY AS 380 MILLION SPEAKERS, BOTH NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE, IN THE ARAB WORLD, MAKING IT THE FIFTH MOST SPOKEN LANGUAGE IN THE WORLD AND THE FOURTH MOST USED LANGUAGE ON THE INTERNET IN TERMS OF USERS.
Arabic is a Semitic language, and it’s one of the oldest languages in the world.
422 million speakers and growing fast and it is the official language in 22 countries.
There are at least 30 distinct dialects.
Unusual sounds are found in Arabic that English native speakers aren’t familiar with.
Many English words have Arabic origins.
There are no capital letters in Arabic, and it is written entirely in script.
Arabic contains only three vowel sounds.
Arabic is written and read from right to left.
There are over 24 different words for “love.”
MOHAMED ALI AND SEVEN
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Gnawa
Rooted in the spiritual traditions of formerly enslaved West Africans in Morocco, Gnawa music blends hypnotic rhythms, sacred chants, and dance. It is a centuries-old art form used for healing, connection, and transcendent celebration.
Bellydancing
Originating in ancient Middle Eastern cultures, bellydancing is a celebration of storytelling through movement. Its fluid, rhythmic motions have been passed down for centuries, honoring femininity, strength, and grace.
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Tannoura
Inspired by Sufi whirling traditions, Tannoura emerged in Egypt as a vibrant, colorful dance performed during religious ceremonies. The dancer’s spinning motion symbolizes spiritual journeying and the search for divine connection.
Dabka
Dabka is a spirited line dance dating back to ancient village celebrations across Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. With synchronized stomping and lively steps, it expresses resilience, unity, and collective pride.
BIGTHANKSTO OURSPONSORS
BIGTHANKSTO OURSPONSORS
CommunityFirst SportsClub
Community First Soccer aims to develop a learning environment where students develop positive physical, social, and psychological skills, nurtured by passionate and knowledgeable professional coaches. We love soccer and guide our players through their personal journey of becoming life-long learners and dedicated students of the game. Our guiding principle is growth -- getting better every day, developing the habits, routines, and mindset of a high performing athlete with discipline and consistency.
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Keeping the most precious pearls in mind (children of all ages); we have built the office to make the patient experience a pleasant one Come take a tour of the office by scrolling through the pictures. We offer many things such as… Awelltrainedteamtomakeyourexperienceasstress freeaspossible. Environmentallyfriendlydentalcareproducts Stateofthearttechnologywitharelaxingserene environmentforyourchild.
MAKEANAPPOINTMENTTODAYBYCALLING 973.232.5448ANDINVITEYOURFRIENDSANDLOVED ONESTOJOIN.
CelebratingWomen's HealthThrough CulturalConnections
At Anzara Health, we are dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare tailored to women’s needs, particularly during menopause and perimenopause. Our mission is to empower women by offering personalized care that promotes well-being at every stage of life. We believe in the importance of cultural sensitivity and strive to create a welcoming environment for all women, particularly our Arab community.
MeetDr.SarahMusleh, Co-Founder
As a proud Middle Eastern endocrinologist with a deep understanding of the unique health challenges faced by women in our community, I am committed to delivering comprehensive care that integrates medical expertise with cultural understanding. My fluency in Arabic allows me to communicate effectively with patients, ensuring they feel comfortable discussing their health concerns
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Meet Fariha Chougle, Your Trusted Partner in Residential Real Estate
Welcome to Dream Homes by FC, where Fariha Chougle is passionate about turning your real estate dreams into reality As the founder of this boutique real estate firm, Fariha is more than just an agent she’s your dedicated guide through every step of the home-buying and selling process.
Fariha’s journey into real estate was inspired by her early experiences watching her father successfully manage a construction company in India These formative years instilled in her a deep understanding of craftsmanship, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to client satisfaction values that remain at the heart of her real estate practice today
After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Fariha, along with her husband, chose to make New Jersey their home. Here, they’ve raised their two children in a community they love. This personal connection to the area gives Fariha a unique perspective on the local market, allowing her to offer invaluable insights and guidance to her clients.
Before venturing into real estate, Fariha successfully managed a costume jewelry and clothing business, where she developed a keen understanding of customer needs and aspirations Since earning her real estate license in 2015, she has been devoted to delivering exceptional service to each of her clients Fariha’s commitment to empowering her clients is evident in her pursuit of continuing education. She holds several prestigious certifications, including Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Seller Representation Specialist (SRS), Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), Pricing Strategy Analyst (PSA), and At Home With Diversity (AHWD). These qualifications ensure that Fariha stays ahead in the ever-evolving real estate landscape, providing her clients with the most informed and up-to-date advice
Her dedication to diversity and inclusion extends beyond her professional life In 2023, Fariha served as President of the Women’s Council of Realtors North Central New Jersey, where she actively championed positive change within the industry.
As a devoted mother and seasoned real estate professional, Fariha understands the importance of finding a home that not only fits your needs but also enhances your family’s unique lifestyle Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a growing family seeking more space, or an investor exploring new opportunities, Fariha is here to guide you every step of the way
BIGTHANKSTO OURSPONSORS
WhattoEat/Sip
PARKING LOT & BACKYARD
THE GREAT HALL | Ground Level
Facepainting
SpecialThanks GRATITUDE
TOWNSHIP OF MAPLEWOOD
We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring Habibi Fest NJ to life!
MayorNancyAdams and the Township Committee
StaceyRoss-Trevor,AndreaTeutli, and the Departmentof Administration,DivisionofArtsandCulture
AnthonyBianchi, Fire Official, Maplewood Fire Prevention Bureau
IsabelDeBari, Maplewood/South Orange Health Department
BRANDING & SOCIAL MEDIA
Sumayya Alsenan
LARGE-SCALE KIDS’ ACTIVITIES
Elaine Strutz
Deepak Jhalani
VIDEOGRAPHY
Drew Pattison WEBSITE
FINALLY, THIS EVENT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR INCREDIBLE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE AND DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS:
AmeliaAbdelrazik
CeydaToklu
ElaineStrutz
FarihaChougle
JosephGabriel
MarwanAbulsoud
MichelleBachir
MohanedGhanem
MonaKarim
MuneebaRaza
SabeelYosefAbulsoud
SaidaBenkhaldoun
ShahperRahman
SumayyaAlsenan
YasminSokkarHarker
A special thank you to Sabeel Yosef Abulsoud, whose vision and leadership in organizing the very first HabibiFest NJ in 2024 laid the foundation for this year’s success.
Thank you for helping us build something truly special!