(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 11/19/2025) – On Saturday, November 22, the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) and its partners, along with the region’s Muslim communities and elected officials will come together to celebrate the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Greater Delaware Valley’s Muslim residents through music, folklore, storytelling, and conversation.
The day-long event, the Philadelphia Muslim Communities Arts & Culture Festival, will be held at the Temple University Performing Arts Center (1837 N Broad St., Philadelphia) from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The festival is presented by CAIR-Philadelphia, the Islamic Cultural Preservation & Information Council (ICPIC)/New Africa Center, and Muslim City Fest. It is free and open to the public, with advance ticket reservation available. Tickets can be reserved at: phillyfestival.org
In a statement, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu said,
“Muslims have been part of Philadelphia’s multicultural landscape for more than two centuries, contributing to the civic, economic, cultural and religious life of the region. Yet all too often, bigotry and misunderstanding overshadow the many ways Muslim communities enrich the common life of the city.
“This festival is intentionally crafted not only as a celebration, but as a powerful act of storytelling and solidarity: through art and culture, the event offers a platform for Muslim voices – Indonesian, African, Arab, South Asian, Black American and beyond – to reflect upon heritage, faith, creativity and belonging. By showcasing this diversity, we seek to build bridges across communities of faith, race and ethnicity.”
Program Highlights
The schedule of events at the festival includes:
1:30 – 2:00 pm: Welcome & Opening
2:00 – 3:00 pm: Modero — Indonesian art conversation and dance performance
3:05 – 3:40 pm: Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans — Talk on arts, culture and Islam
3:45 – 4:45 pm: Mona Haydar — Performance & conversation on identity, faith and artistry
4:50 – 5:45 pm: Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble — African drum and dance performance
5:45 – 6:45 pm: Dinner & Prayer Break
6:45 – 7:00 pm: Imam Faisal Latif Conversation
7:05 – 8:00 pm: Samar Dahleh — “Tatreez/Palestinian Embroidery” presentation & conversation
8:05 – 9:15 pm: Dr. Su’ad Abdul Khabeer’s “Sampled: Beats of Muslim Life” followed by Q&A
Venue and Access
The Festival will be held at Temple University Performing Arts Center (1837 N Broad St., Philadelphia). The venue is fully ADA-compliant, with elevator access and reserved wheelchair seating; an ADA entrance is located on the north corner of the building, on Broad & Polett Walk.
Advance registration is recommended as seating is limited. Tickets are free and available online.
Media Opportunities
Members of the press are invited to cover the Festival, with opportunities for:
- Interviews with artists and speakers such as Mona Haydar, Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans, Dr. Su’ad Abdul Khabeer, and others.
- Filming of performances, dance/drum ensemble, and culture-conversations.
- Feature stories on how Muslim communities in Philadelphia express creativity, resist stereotypes, and engage in civic life.
Media check-in begins at 12:30 pm. Please RSVP to Ahmet Tekelioglu, atekelioglu@cair.com or 617-401-5397 to indicate your intention to attend.
About the Organizers
CAIR-Philadelphia is the regional office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, working to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
ICPIC/New Africa Center is dedicated to preserving Islamic cultural heritage and promoting community empowerment.
Muslim City Fest is a creative-arts platform that brings Muslim life into public cultural spaces with vibrancy, innovation and civic engagement.
Together, they invite Philadelphians of all backgrounds — Muslims and non-Muslims alike — to join them for an afternoon and evening of discovery, celebration and connection.
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CONTACT: For further information, media registration, or to request interviews, please contact: Ahmet Tekelioglu, Executive Director, CAIR-Philadelphia, Phone: 617-401-5397, Email: atekelioglu@cair.com
