Arab Voices Community Calendar The events listed below are not necessarily endorsed or sponsored by Arab Voices. Listing them on this site is a service to the community to be aware of activities and events in the Greater Houston Area. To include an event on this calendar, send e-mail to info@arabvoices.net.

Upcoming Events (sorted by date)   Last updated February 5, 2010	Click here for a list of PREVIOUS events.
Arabic Adjunct Instructors Needed at University of Houston-Downtown
The University of Houston-Downtown's Arts and Humanities department is seeking two qualified candidates for the position of Arabic Adjunct Instructor. The department owns a state of the art language lab and technician to assist adjuncts. Scheduling is flexible. UHD enrolls over 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offers daytime, evening, and weekend courses through both classroom and various technology-enabled mediums. The standard teaching load is four undergraduate courses (12 semester hours) per long semester. Basic Duties: Teach first and second year Arabic classes; and teach one or two 4-hour courses per semester as needed.   Basic Requirements: Must have at least a Masters degree; and must have at least 18 hours of graduate course work in Arabic or comparable work experience.   For more information and/or to apply, visit http://jobs.uhd.edu.
February 10, 2010  -  Obama's Foreign Policy Challenges
Charles Lipson, University of Chicago   The big foreign policy test may be Afghanistan, but there are plenty of other challenges to keep the President up at night: the spread of nuclear weapons, the resurgence of Al-Qaeda, the rise of China, and the continued search for peace in the Middle East. How is Obama expected to tackle these and other issues? Will his new soft-power approach become an effective new policy?   When:  Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Time: Registration: 6:00 p.m., Program: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: Junior League, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston   Charles Lipson is an award-winning analyst and teacher of international politics and history at the University of Chicago, where he is the Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science. He also founded and directs the University’s Program on International Politics, Economics, and Security (PIPES), where scholars from around the world come to discuss the latest issues in world politics. He is one of the most popular lecturer’s on campus. Dr. Lipson graduated from Yale College and received his Ph.D. from Harvard. His many publications include books on why constitutional democracies do not fight wars with each other, on how corporations try to protect their international investments, and on how nations design international institutions. He is currently working on the difficulty of creating and sustaining order in international affairs. Besides his academic work, he writes opinion pieces for the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, and other publications and is a frequent guest on national radio and television. Professor Lipson also writes about education and academic integrity. His book, Doing Honest Work in College: How to Prepare Citations, Avoid Plagiarism, and Achieve Real Academic Success (2004), is the first book for students to deal comprehensively with these issues.   Members: Free, Non-members: $20    For more information, call 713-522-7811 or visit www.wachouston.org.
February 11, 2010  -  Annual Interfaith Youth Dinner Dialogue
Students from Houston's faith communities will spend an evening in dialogue sharing their experiences, thoughts and views on faith with one another! Come and get to know Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Baha'i, Jain and other students! Each discussion will be moderated and everyone will be respected!   When: February 11, 2010 Time: 5:30-9:00PM Location: St. Agnes Academy, 9000 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77036   Registration is required and space is limited.   For more information, visit www.imgh.org.
February 13, 2010  -  PAB Annual Banquet Event
The Palestinian American Bridge cordially invites you to attend the Annual Banquet Event Hosting Mr. Andrew Whitley, Head of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency).   When: Saturday, February 13, 2010 Time: 7:00 p.m. (Dinner is served at 7:30 p.m.) Location: Westin Galleria / Plaza Ballroom, 5060 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77056   The event will include an update about the organization.   Donation: $75 includes full dinner (to benefit Dr. Uwaydah’s Scholarship, a new PAB Scholarship for Palestinian Students)    Babysitter Available   For more information or to purchase tickets, call 713-907-6370 or visit www.pab-usa.org.
February 14, 2010  -  Illumination: Opening our eyes, Empowering our thoughts, and Inspiring our hearts
Our world is changing. But the time has come for us to allow the radiance of Islam to reclaim our hearts. With knowledge, we will find the strength to illuminate America with Islam. Join us for an exhilarating evening of ILLUMINATION! With comedy, nasheed, poetry and first-class performances, you'll embrace Islam in a way you've never experienced before.   A 3-in-1 spiritual experience: Nasheed + Poetry + Comedy!   Illumination will consist of several performances including one by a comedian (Br. Obaida from Phatwa Factory), a nasheed group (D Clique, various poets including Houston's local talent, and a short talk. A balance between entertainment & knowledge will be displayed through nasheeds, poetry, and comedy relating to Muslim youth. We will conclude with a poignant yet practical, inspiring talk/discussion.   When: February 14, 2010 Time: 4:00 pm Location: Houston Room, University of Houston   Contact: Br. Muhammad Abdallah, 408-435-7473, info@mashouston.org Payment: $15 early tickets (until Jan 31st), $20 starting Feb 1st   For more information, visit www.mashouston.org.
February 15, 2010  -  An Evening with the Iraqi Community Featuring the Iraqi Ambassador to the US
Details: Join us for a conversation with the Ambassador of Iraq to the United States as he acquaints himself with the Iraqi community in Houston, Texas.    When: February 15, 2010 Time: Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Road, Houston, 77099   Light refreshments will be served   For more information, or to register, click here.   Sponsors: The Khudairi Group, The Iraqi American Community Center
February 16, 2010 - Update Iraq: Opportunities in 2010 and Beyond
Speakers:    Samir Sumaida'ie, Ambassador of Iraq to the United States    Naufel Alhassan, Commercial Counselor, Iraq Commercial Office, Martin Hunt, Partner,       Bracewell & Giuliani   When:  February 16, 2010 Time:  8:00 am to 10:30 am Location:  Bracewell & Giulinai Law Offices, 711 Louisiana Street Suite 2300   For more information, visit www.bilateralchamber.org.
February 19, 2010  -  One Country: the only road to peace and just for Palestine
Ali Abunimah, Executive Director of Electronic Intifada   When:  February 19, 2010 Time: 6:45 p.m. Location:  Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 3201 Sage Rd., Houston, TX 77056    Admission: $10, students $5   For more information, visit www.p4pd.org.     Click here for event flyer.
February 23, 2010  -  A Conversation on Visa Issues: U.S. Department of State
Speakers:   Meg Olsen, Consular Officer, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State   Kenneth Harder, Partner, Dunbar Harder, PLLC   Saba Abashawl, Managing Director, Development, City of Houston   Duaine Priestley, Director, Houston U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC)      Please join the Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce as we welcome Ms. Meg Olsen, Consular Officer at the Bureau of Consular Affairs for the U.S. Department of State. The Department of State has initiated several changes and improvements to the visa process to reduce delays and streamline the process. Participants will have the opportunity to hear firsthand, from the U.S. Department of State and prominent lawyers from Houston’s business community, about this important subject and ask questions that are of importance in today’s business world.   Ms. Olsen has been with the U.S. Department of State since March 2004. In her current role under the Office of Visa Advisory Opinions, she advises on eligibility of aliens for immigrant and non-immigrant visas under U.S. immigration law. Prior to her work with the U.S. Department of State, she worked for the Naval Air Systems Command in Lexington, Maryland (February 2002 to March 2004); Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Naples, Italy (February 1998 to February 2002); and Engineering Facilities Mediterranean Naples, Italy (October 1995-Feburary 1998). When: February 23, 2010 Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm The BUSACC Conference Room, 2323 S. Shepherd, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77019   Price: Free for Members; $15 for Nonmember   For more information, visit www.bilateralchamber.org.
February 25, 2010  -  The Interfaith Amigos: Is Interfaith Dialogue Dangerous to Faith?
Pastor Don MacKenzie, Rabbie Ted Falcon, and Sheikh Jamal Rahman bring a message of deep hope and profound possibilities for healing both person and planet. Their work comprises a dialogue of the head, the heart, and the hands, encouraging greater understanding, compassion, and social action in the world.     When: February 25, 2010 Time:  7:30 p.m. Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX               Additional parking at 5620 Greenbriar   Book Signing Following the Lecture:  A deeply personal journey to interfaith collaboration that offers hope for an inclusive and healing way of being together in the world. Too often religion seems to fuel more hatred than love, more conflict than collaboration. Interfaith Talk Radio's "interfaith amigos"--a pastor, a rabbi and a sheikh--provide a rich understanding of the road to interfaith collaboration by sharing their stories, challenges, and the inner spiritual work necessary to go beyond tolerance to a vital, inclusive spirituality. Along with inspiring insights and encouragement for tapping into the promise of interfaith dialogue, they provide practical actions, additional readings and discussion questions to help you embody their revolutionary spirit of healing.   This event is free and open to the public.   For more information, visit www.boniukcenter.org.
February 27-28, 2010  -  Prayer: Beyond the Motions
In this unique application- based seminar, learn how to connect spiritually with your Creator through prayer. Let us teach you the hidden meanings behind salah and why it is essential to your existence. Not only will the instructor impart the skills you'll need to master khushoo but he will delve more deeply, into the inner realms and intricacies of this ibadaa. As a result, the prayer will no longer be regarded as a mechanical chore, but an intimate meeting with the Divine. Through such insight, we hope you will leave this non-fiqh seminar with an awakened and unparalleled understanding of this fundamental pillar of Islam.   Speaker: Shaykh Abu Nahla   When: Feb 27-28, 2010 Time:  9 am - 9 pm Location: Norris Conference Center, 9990 Richmond Ave., Ste 102, Houston, TX 77042   Discounted student rate at $100, Scholarships are available as well as the group rate of 4 or more.   For more information, visit www.NoesisInstitute.com.
March 11, 2010  -  Nelofer Pazira Speaks on Afghanistan: Fact or Fiction
Nelofer Pazira, Afghan-Canadian Filmmaker, Writer, Journalist and Human Rights Activist Nelofer Pazira was born in India and grew up in Kabul, Afghanistan during the Russian occupation of her country. The Paziras fled the war in 1989, when Nelofer was sixteen. After living as refugees in Pakistan for a year, the family migrated to Canada. She obtained a degree in Journalism and English Literature from Carleton University in Ottawa, and completed her MA thesis (Anthropology/Sociology and Religion) at Concordia University, Montreal. She received an honorary doctorate of laws, honoris causa, from Carleton University in 2006.   When: Thursday, March 11, 2010 Time: 7:00 pm Location: Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross    For more information, visit www.rothkochapel.org.
March 25, 2010  -  In the Sufi Tradition: Poetry and Music Celebrating A Face That Does Not Bear the Footprints of the World
Usha Akella, Poet Steve Gorn, Flute   When:  Thursday, March 25, 2010 Time:  7 p.m. Location: Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross   For more information, visit www.rothkochapel.org.
March 27, 2010  -  ADS Annual Scholarship
The Power of Giving Honoring Mr. Nijad I. & Mrs. Zeina Fares Keynote Speaker:  Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian, Founding director of the James A. Baker III Institute   When: When:  March 27, 2010 Location: J.W. Marriott Houston, 5150 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Taxes 77056   For more information, visit www.adshoustonchapter.com.
April 17, 2010  -  Syrian American Club Scholarship Endowment Gala
When:  Saturday, April 17, 2010 Location:  Westin-Galleria Hotel, Houston, Texas   More information will be posted as it becomes available.
April 29, 2010  -  Encountering the Jewish Future
Marc Ellis, Director, The Center for Jewish Studies, Baylor University   Influenced by the Jewish ethical tradition and the dissonance of Jewish life after the Holocaust, with other Jews of Conscience, Professor Marc H. Ellis has sought to rescue the Jewish ethical tradition in the face of the demands of the 20th and now 21st Century.   When: Thursday, April 29, 2010 Time: 7:00 pm Location: Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross   Professor Marc H. Ellis was born in North Miami Beach, Florida in 1952. He earned B.A. and M.A. degrees magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, in Religion and American Studies at Florida State University, where he studied under the Holocaust theologian Richard Rubenstein and the American historian of the Catholic Worker, William Miller. He received his doctorate in History from Marquette University in 1980 where he was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta and the Jesuit Honor Society. Upon graduation he accepted a faculty position at the Maryknoll School of Theology in Maryknoll, New York, becoming founding director of their M.A. program and the Maryknoll Institute for Justice and Peace.   As a public intellectual, Professor Ellis has spoken at the United Nations in New York and in Vienna, the Carter Center in Atlanta, the Truman Institute at Hebrew University, the James Baker Institute at Rice University, the United States Memorial Holocaust Museum in Washington, D. C., the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and, most recently, in Oslo, Norway at a conference on the 15th anniversary of the Oslo Accords. He has given endowed and keynote lectures in the United States, Israel, Canada, Taiwan, Korea and the Philippines. Upcoming lecture engagements include the 92nd Street Y in New York, the Rothko Chapel in Houston, the Society of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London and the Danish Center for Middle Eastern Studies in Copenhagen, Denmark. Professor Ellis serves on the National Advisory Board of the Middle East Council, the Editorial Board of Tikkun Magazine and the Board of the Society of Jewish Ethics. Commentary on Professor Ellis’s work: The late Professor Edward Said, University Professor at Columbia University: "Marc Ellis is a brilliant writer, a deeply thoughtful and courageous mind, an intellectual who has broken the death-hold of mindless tradition and unreflective cliché to produce a superb account of post-Holocaust understanding, with particular reference to the Palestinian people and the moral obligation of Israelis and Diaspora Jews. He is a man to be listened to with respect and admiration."    For more information, visit www.rothkochapel.org.
May 3, 2010  -  Offshore Technology Conference Reception Honoring Delegates from the Arab World
13th Annual Offshore Technology Conference Reception: Honoring Delegates from the Arab World    When:  May 3, 2010 Time:  6 pm - 8 pm Location:  Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts 2222 W. Loop South Houston, Texas 77027    For more information, visit www.bilateralchamber.org.
May 13, 14, 15, 21 & 22, 2010  -  Houston Palestine Film Festival
The Houston Palestine Film Festival brings an honest and independent view of Palestine and its diaspora’s society, culture, and political travails through the art of film. A major goal of the festival is to directly expose our local community to the perspective of artists as a first step toward circumventing the many government and media filters that pollute our understanding of Palestine and the wider region. Named “Best Film Festival” by the Houston Press in 2009   When:  May 13, 14, 15, 21 & 22, 2010   For more information, visit www.hpff.org.
2010 Past Events
2009 Events
2008 Events
2007 Events
2006 Events
2005 Events