Salt Lake Muslim festival is this weekend

Ghulam Hasnain has watched Utah's Muslim community grow and struggle since he moved here from India in 1967.

"Even before Sept. 11, we still had a problem with our image," he said.

Hasnain says Muslims tend to be more conservative and less outgoing than is typically considered mainstream American.

So, three years ago, Hasnain decided to organize a festival to bring Muslims out to meet each other, and to mingle with non-Muslims.

This Sunday, will mark the third annual Salt Lake American Muslim Cultural Festival at the Salt Lake City Library. The event also includes a film festival and media forum today.

Hasnain describes the festival as "really multi-ethnic," noting the emphasis is culture, not necessarily religion.

A few of the performances include a Vietnamese Dragon Dance, Tibetan Roof of the World Dance and Bien Flamenco.

Sariah Jacobson, director of Bien Flamenco, says the style blends in well with the Muslim festival.

"Everyone brings their own flavor," Jacobson said.

"What we do is very traditional, very raw. It is considered an exotic dance."

Imam Shuaib-ud Din says the festival gives exposure to Utah's estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Muslims.

He says the festival is for food and fun, and noted that those who attend the festival won't have to worry about proselytizing.

"The cultural festival represents different cultures from different Muslim countries," he said.

Din said the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake is planning on hosting a new cultural festival next April.

"We have something to share," he said. "That's what makes America great, is the diversity."

Events include:

Today: Media Forum, noon to 2 p.m. and Film Festival, 2:30 p.m. "The Message."

Sunday: Cultural Festival, noon to 9 p.m.

For more information visit sqaci.com/sam.

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If you go . . .

What: Muslim Cultural Festival and Media Forum

Where: Salt Lake City Main Library, 200 E. 400 South

When: Today at noon, Media Forum, auditorium; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m., Library Square, Cultural Festival with food and entertainment on Sunday.

Admission: free

Web: www.sqacu.com

Also: At 2:30 p.m. today, library auditorium, a free screening of "The Message," a movie starring Anthony Quinn and Irene Pappas, directed by Moustapha.

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com