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Go topArab American Heritage Festival at the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Library
Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/18/2026
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location
MLK Library
Categories
Cost:
Free USD
Contact Person:
Email:
Website:
https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/15983529
Phone:
Organization:
MLK Library
REGISTER HERE
Commemoration of National Arab American Heritage Month at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library
Experience a vibrant celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Enjoy an exciting afternoon featuring fashion, food, music, visual art, a traditional Arab Souq, and hands‑on workshops led by local Arab American artists and community members.
Entertainment
As part of the celebration, the DC Public Library will also host an educational concert with renowned Arab American musician Muath Edriss and his band, showcasing the rich history and cultural traditions of Arab Americans. Muath Edriss is an accomplished vocalist, composer, and music lecturer. Winner of Best Voice in 2000, he made history as the first artist to compose, translate, and perform the U.S. National Anthem in Arabic, and in 2023 became the first Arab American to sing in Arabic on the oud at the White House. A visiting lecturer at Indiana University and Bloomsburg College, he also serves as an Ambassador for the Arab America Foundation.
Author Book Reading
Children’s reading at 11:00 am, before the festival starts at Noon
Baking Bread with Jiddo with Arab American Author Carrie Maslen
Baking Bread with Jiddo follows a young girl on her annual visit
to her grandfather’s house, where they share a tradition of
baking Arabic bread. The story is an ode to family, traditions,
and perseverance rooted in the strength and love that’s passed
across generations.
Carrie Maslen has been writing and drawing since elementary
school, which is also when her family started making their
two-day drive to Wisconsin, where she watched her grandfather
bake Arabic bread. In addition to writing for her children and
grandchildren, she also wrote business material throughout her
career in high tech. When she’s not writing, you can find Carrie
reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Bayt Vienna Souq Marketplace
Bayt Vienna is a vibrant community marketplace celebrating Arab culture and identity, featuring diverse exhibitors showcasing artisanship, crafts, traditional clothing, and art, while fostering connection, cultural pride, and community engagement in an inviting environment.