An open-world video game inspired by Middle Eastern folklore. Tea sets and fabrics from Northern Africa. Face painting and henna tattoos.

These are just a few of the attractions visitors will encounter at the second annual American Muslim Heritage Celebration. Taking place this Saturday at the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University, the event aims to showcase the contributions and diverse backgrounds of Muslim Americans.

The event’s creation was inspired by a 2023 Richmond city proclamation that officially recognized July as Muslim American Heritage Month for the first time. The first American Muslim Heritage Celebration was held at the ICA the following year.

“We came together and decided on an educational and fun event to celebrate the rich culture of Muslims in Richmond,” says Hala Al-Tinawi, the event’s organizer and the ICA’s administrative coordinator.

Fifteen countries will be represented at the event, both from places with well-known Muslim populations like Turkey, Pakistan and Syria, and from countries with sizeable but less known Muslim communities like Mexico.

Community organizations will also be represented, including a Cub Scout pack chartered by the West End Islamic Center, the Deep Run Muslims Student Organization from Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, and the Muslim education and advocacy group 1Ummah Dawah Project.

Food trucks will include Italian ice cart Good Vices Ices, Indian-style offerings from Spice Nation, and a full halal menu from Juan More Tacos. Vendors will sell clothing, perfume, jewelry, baked goods and stationery; local indie gaming company Ilham Inc. will let visitors try “Mystic,” its new post-apocalyptic open-world video game inspired by Middle Eastern folklore.

The event comes as aid agencies are warning of mass starvation in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory with a 99% Muslim population; a U.N. special committee, Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders have called what is taking place in Gaza a genocide.

Asked if the Richmond event will comment on the conflict in Gaza, Al-Tinawi says it isn’t intended to be political in nature.

“It’s more of a celebration of culture,” she says. “There will be a Palestine table where we’ll be celebrating the culture of Palestinian people.”

Al-Tinawi lauds the ICA for letting them use the space.

“Typically, art institutions don’t host these types of events,” she says. “The ICA’s been so gracious and has given us the space for free basically two years in a row.”

Asked about her favorite offering at the event, Al-Tinawi recommends a Yemeni tea that a friend makes with milk and cardamom.

“I’m not even a big tea drinker, but anytime it comes out I have to have a cup. It was the first thing to go last year,” she says. “Once it hits the table, it’s gone.”

The second annual American Muslim Heritage Celebration takes place Saturday, July 26 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the ICA at VCU, 601 W. Broad St. For more information visit muslimsofvirginia.com.