George Mason University’s Pakistani Students’ Association will host its annual fall cultural show in addition to an Eid Festival from noon to midnight Saturday at Dewberry Hall.

There are two Eid festivals each year in the Muslim faith, said Maha Tanveer, the historian for the PSA. She said the first festival each year commemorates the end of Ramadan while the second, which is being celebrated Saturday, is a celebration of the pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Eid Festival will feature food and music in addition to vendors showcasing clothing and artifacts. Pakistani food will be served by vendors as well.

The fall show will include local talent, as well as a Pakistani magician from California, Sohaib Aulakh, and a comedian, Tom Achilles.
Other attractions are a hypnotist and local dance groups including American University’s bhangra team.

Bhangra is an ethnic dance that originated in Punjab, India.

“It’s a folk dance that people in Punjab did to celebrate the coming of the harvest season,” Tanveer said.

The Eid Festival will run from noon to 6 p.m. while the fall show will run from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets will be sold Thursday at a kiosk in the Johnson Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or can be purchased by calling 571-402-4567.

“All the Muslims get together at an Eid Festival,” Tanveer said. “It’s family time. I equate it to Christmas. People dress up, they get together, they celebrate. It’s a time of reunion.”