Global Connections
Utah’s Middle Eastern North African Community
Utah's Middle Eastern and North African communities thrive within the state's cultural landscape, incorporating an array of traditions and backgrounds. Salt Lake Valley neighborhood businesses and cultural organizations serve as a focal point for the community, but their connections are found and felt across the state. The Middle Eastern and North African community supports and is represented through thriving restaurants, music, dance, art, festivals, and strong educational and career pathways.
Hub of Culture: Middle Eastern & North African Festivals & Celebrations in Utah
The Middle Eastern and North African community shares its traditions through a variety of festivals, including the Afro Utah Festival and the Utah World Refugee Utah Festival, hosted by the Utah Office of Refugee Services. In northern Utah, the nonprofit Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection offers health, education, and financial literacy resources, as well as sponsoring an annual World Refugee Day celebration.
Interfaith Connections in the Middle Eastern North African Community
Across a wide-ranging cultural landscape, Utah’s Middle Eastern and North African communities showcase various interfaith traditions. The Utah Islamic Center offers educational, religious, and social resources. The Utah Muslim Civic League provides cultural bridge-building along with civic engagement resources to help community members get involved.
Spices and Flavors of Middle Eastern and North African Cuisine in Utah
The unique blend of spices from Utah’s Middle Eastern and North African community brings a wide range of flavors to traditional dishes. The aromatic spices, savory dishes, and sweet delicacies have made their way across the globe to Salt Lake City and across the state. Many shops and grocery stores now sell the ingredients for traditional Middle Eastern and North African recipes.
Keep Making Connections: News and Stories
Magnify Utah’s Community Pages capture organizations that support communities through resources, connections, and opportunity-building. The information does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement (CCE), Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, or divisions associated with CCE. The intent of this resource is to centralize information, not to endorse. The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs reserves the right to accept or reject any submission or suggestion that does not align with the mission of Magnify Utah.