LIVONIA, MI — The Basilica of St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox
Church announces their Fourth annual “Sahara Fest,” featuring Arabic
food, music and culture. The Sahara Fest will take place on June 2-5, 2011 at
St. Mary’s Church grounds, 18100 Merriman Road (between Six and Seven Mile
Roads), Livonia, Michigan, 48152.

The Sahara Fest features authentic Arabic food, including falafel,
beef and chicken shawarma, kafta, hummus and fattoush. Featuring musical
performances by Usaama Baalbaki, Nasser Deeb, Joseph Bashara, Zein Wzani, and
closing the festival will be Steve King and the Ditties. St. Mary’s youth will
perform traditional Dabke dances.

The festival includes a full midway featuring thrilling
carnival rides, a video arcade game tent, face painting, real casino games, and
fun for the whole family.

The Sahara Fest will benefit the development of the Mariam
Center, a 30,000 square foot family and youth enrichment center, planned for
completion in 2015.

Father George Shalhoub, pastor of St. Mary’s said, “We
are excited to celebrate our rich culture and heritage.” He went on to
say, “We look forward to contributing to the rich diversity of the greater
Detroit area each year with the Sahara Fest.”

The Basilica of St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church is a
parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. The
Church traces its roots in unbroken apostolic succession to first century
Antioch, the city in which the disciples of Jesus Christ were first called
“Christians.” The church was founded in 1972 and is comprised of
members from the Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian communities.

For more information about the Sahara Fest contact: St.
Mary’s Church: 734.422.0010.