On April 29, 2023, Self-Help Informaiton and Network Exchange (S.H.I.N.E.), a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to empower, uplift, and unite communities by providing educational programs and events that foster lifelong learning, personal growth, meaningful relationships, and community engagement, successfully hosted the first annual NC Muslim Festival in Center City Park - downtown Greensboro, NC. Over 273,000 Muslims reside in North Carolina and something of this magnitude had never been done in our state.
The NC Muslim Festival attracted over 1,000 people statewide. The purpose of this event is to promote cultural understanding, arts, education, faith, service, and humanity. We do so by helping to build bridges with community members and offer an opportunity for civic pride, as well as education. Proudly, we had over 30 vendors with products ranging from health, beauty and wellness, art, jewelry, clothing, and books. While many of the vendors were local business owners, there were quite a few who traveled from Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Eastern and Western North Carolina and as far as Indiana to participate in the festival. Attendees enjoyed the educational and interactive African drumming circle, the games and prizes offered at the KidZone area, and music from a renowned hip-hop Muslim artist, Haa Seen Noon. There was a huge amount of representation that filled the park along with peaceful, loving vibes from all.
The youth within our local community displayed outstanding community service. Everything professionally exectued by over 50 community-minded volunteers from local universities and high schools like NC A&T State University - Muslim Student Association, UNC-Greensboro Muslim Student Association and their Intercultural Engagement office. Also, students from NC A&T State University Nursing department assisted with our first-aid station while Cone Health provided complimentary care for participants to have their blood pressure and insulin levels checked on-site.
We are very grateful for the generous sponsors we received in support of the festival. Some of our major sponsors were Domino's Pizza, Saffron Roads, and Food Lion. Additionally, we had quite a few local sponsors - a local co-op grocery, Deep Roots, Islamic Center of Greensboro, P.S.A. Friends of Eastern NC, and Build-A-Village Consulting Group. As the NC Muslim Festival continues each year, we can only hope many other corporations, businesses, and community leaders see the true value and benefit of this type of community event, and graciously become a sponsor in support of this worthy cause.
It is said the greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals in which the NC Muslim Festival has successfully displayed with peace, love, and unity.