MSA's Annual Eid Festival

Valley Stream North’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) became an official club during the 2024–2025 school year, although it first began forming the previous year. During last year, the MSA hosted their first Eid Festival, with hopes of making it an annual tradition. This event was made possible thanks to generous donations from members, who contributed decorations, ideas, and other resources. The festival received strong support and appreciation from both Valley Stream North staff and the broader Valley Stream Central High School District staff. 

This school year, several changes were made to the MSA. Now recognized as an official club, they have gained the ability to raise funds. With that support, they were able to upgrade their Eid Festival by purchasing better decorations, catering food from local halal restaurants (while still accepting donations), buying prizes for games, and offering henna designs. The turnout was larger than expected, with around 60 to 70 people in attendance. Thanks to the combination of catering and contributions from members, a wide variety of food was offered, and it was clear that everyone was eager to try it and have fun. 

Co-Presidents Afaf Aswad and Anum Zafar, along with Vice President Mariam Balde, worked hard, alongside the other dedicated officers and club advisor, Mr. Disclafani, to make the festival a success. This event was of great personal importance to them, as they wanted it to have a positive impact on the school community. Balde stated, “I hope that the Eid party encourages the other organizations at our school to be even more outspoken about their mission to provide community for us students and to host similar events to bring students, faculty, and parents together.”

Aswad states that celebrations such as the Eid Festival are necessary, explaining that “[r]ecognizing holidays fosters inclusion, respect, and a sense of belonging among students from various backgrounds, which affirms students' identities and promotes cultural understanding.” Events like these provide students with the opportunity to share parts of their culture and religion that may not always be represented in mainstream school activities. By highlighting important traditions like Eid, the MSA creates a welcoming environment where students feel seen and valued for who they are.

Balde agrees and adds that schools that haven’t hosted cultural events like this should consider doing so because, “It is so incredibly important for students of similar [and different] backgrounds...to be exposed to events like this, as it encourages the celebration of diversity and educates them about different customs.” She emphasizes that cultural events not only support students who identify with a particular tradition but also create learning opportunities for those unfamiliar with it. By engaging in these celebrations, students and staff alike are given a chance to grow in empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the diverse community around them. 

Full Interview with President Afaf Aswad and Vice President Mariam Balde: 

Why is it important for schools to acknowledge and celebrate diverse religious and cultural holidays like Eid? 

Aswad: “Schools must acknowledge and celebrate diverse religious and cultural holidays, such as Eid. Recognizing holidays fosters inclusion, respect, and a sense of belonging among students from various backgrounds, which affirms students' identities and promotes cultural understanding. Schools that celebrate a variety of holidays demonstrate the importance of diversity and respect, which are essential to education.” 

How do you hope the Eid party influences future events or programs around diversity at school?  

Balde: “Our school is already so diverse. We have multiple clubs and student-oriented activities, including the BSU, Alliance, and Culture Society, that all demonstrate the importance of community and visibility. I hope that the Eid party encourages the other organizations at our school to be even more outspoken about their mission to provide community for us students and to host similar events to bring students, faculty, and parents together.” 

What would you say to schools that have not yet hosted cultural or religious events like this? 

Balde: “To schools that have yet to host cultural or religious events like this, I would encourage them to start. It is so incredibly important for students of similar backgrounds to be able to gather outside of school and equally important for students other cultural or religious backgrounds to be exposed to events like this as to encourage the celebration of diversity and educate them about different customs.”