An Islamic New Year Festival in Clovis on Sunday, Aug. 9, will bring together Muslim-owned businesses, speakers, and cultural activities in an effort to introduce the broader community to the diversity of Islam while celebrating entrepreneurship in the Central Valley.

The event, organized by the Ummatic Services and Equity Foundation, follows several significant dates on the Islamic calendar, including Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the Islamic New Year. Although the festival comes weeks after the new year, organizers say the timing reflects logistical realities and an opportunity to launch a broader community initiative.

Convention Coordinator Michelle Zaragoza said the idea had been on her mind long before USEF approached her to help organize the event.

“It was something that I really wanted to do, but with timing and things we weren’t able to get it done,” Zaragoza said.

The Regency Event Center at 1600 Willow Avenue is the festival site.

Festival Modeled After Other Local Cultural Events

The festival is modeled after cultural celebrations such as Hmong New Year festivals and Greek festivals, she said, creating a space where residents can experience Muslim cultures through local businesses, food, and family-friendly activities.

“This is meant to share our culture and to also show the community what the businesses have contributed to the Central Valley,” Zaragoza said.

The festival will feature Muslim-owned businesses from across the region, educational speakers, vendors, children’s activities, food representing a variety of cultures and opportunities for residents to connect with local entrepreneurs.

Sponsors and participating businesses are from a variety of industries in the Central Valley, including automotive sales, real estate, health care, and small business services. Organizers said businesses such as Own A Car, Sultana Real Estate, Dalia Realtor, and Ozpop Balloons will participate alongside dozens of vendors throughout the festival.

Among the featured speakers is Dr. Shada Attraplsi, an internal medicine physician who also practices functional medicine and will speak about gut health and alternative approaches to wellness. Organizers said additional business leaders will discuss entrepreneurship and the contributions of Muslim-owned businesses throughout the Central Valley.

Families Invited to Take Part in Free Carnival Games

Family activities will include carnival games, face painting and balloon art.

“We have a lot of fun free carnival games. We’ve got face painting and the balloon artist and lots and lots of really great foods from the different cultures that represent Islam,” Zaragoza said.

Zaragoza, who converted to Islam about five-and-a-half years ago after growing up in a Mexican American family, said Fresno area’s strong sense of community inspired her to create an event focused on education and inclusion.

“I love Fresno so much,” she said. “It has such an amazing community. Anything that you want to do … there’s some sort of community in it and I feel like Fresno is such a huge city with a small-town feel.”

She emphasized that the festival is intended to welcome the broader community rather than serve only Muslims.

“This is just to celebrate all the diversity that we already have here,” Zaragoza said. “It’s not to downplay anybody’s traditions or religions or anything. We’re very friendly and we want to just be very neighborly and show that we do love our community and we do love being a part of it. We love living here.”

Organizers hope to make the Islamic New Year Festival an annual tradition timed closer to the Islamic New Year in future years as the organization continues expanding its outreach throughout the Central Valley.

How To Get Tickets

The Islamic New Year Festival is from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. Advance tickets are $7 through Saturday and $10 at the door.

Children 10 and younger are free.

Tickets are available at www.usef.us/convention. Organizers are offering $1 off advance tickets with the promotional code MICHELLE.

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