ST. LOUIS — A festival put on by the Afghan Support Program, set for Saturday, will not only celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday, but also will be an opportunity for resettling Afghan families to connect with the greater St. Louis community, according to event organizers. 

The Afghan Support Program is an initiative by the International Institute of St. Louis to provide financial support, programs and resources for Afghan refugees. The program so far has helped 180 families. 

The Afghan Eid al-Fitr Festival will be family-friendly, free of charge and open to the public. It will feature live music with a local Afghan singer, a DJ, Henna, face painting, balloons, kites, a photo booth, comedy skits, the Afghan dance team, a poetry reading, recognition awards, food and more, according to Moji Sidiqi, Afghan community development program manager.  

“I’m very, very excited,” she said. “The beautiful part about the festival, outside of showcasing the culture, and the music and the food, is how much community has come through.” 

Teamwork and partnerships have made this festival possible, according to Sidiqi, as she mentioned the sponsors and donations made by the Afghan community.

Sidiqi said she felt the festival was necessary to help bring Afghans together after experiencing trauma from the invasion of their home country last year. 

“This is an opportunity for them to basically just enjoy themselves, (and) have an excuse to dress up,” she said.

The Afghan Support Program offers financial services, including up to six months of rent while refugees find a new job and become able to pay bills on their own.

“The bigger goal is for them to become self-sustaining, so we really don't want them to rely on the services, but they are there to support them for their first six months,” Sidiqi said.

The program also includes an Afghan Chamber of Commerce, competitive entrepreneurship grant opportunities, coding classes, and children’s soccer programs. 

Additionally, there are fundraising efforts to open an Afghan community center where there will be language and cultural awareness classes, as well as sewing and cooking classes, and a gym, according to Sidiqi.

The Afghan Support Program is partnering with Apple and T-Mobile to distribute 200 new iPads and iPhones with two years of unlimited Wi-Fi for Afghan families. More details about the event will soon be available.

The Afghan Eid al-Fitr Festival will take place at 10445 Clayton Road in Frontenac from 2-8 p.m. 

“This will be a really great opportunity for them to meet other Afghans who are already living in the city, but also network with the greater St. Louis community,” Sidiqi said.

For more information about the festival, click here. For more information about the International Institute of St. Louis, click here.