Arab Voices Community Calendar/Announcements 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.

2014 Events	Click here for a list of UPCOMING events._
December 14, 2014  -  Mourning Abo Ein
Who: Palestinian American Council - Houston, Texas What: Invites you to attend an event to mourn the Martyr Ziad Abo Ein. Where: ACC, 10555 Stancliff, Houston, TX 77099 When: Sunday 12/14/2014 , From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Event includes : • Short movie featuring the Martyr, minister Ziad Abo Ein. • Local and international leaders speeches. • Words from Abo Ein immediate Family.   Click here for event flyer.
December 12, 2014  -  The ACC Ladies Night Out
The ACC Ladies Night Out At Bait Al-Arab (ACC) Cordially invites you to join us for a fun ladies night gathering to celebrate the Holidays. Program will include:   - Dance Group - Gift Exchange - Fun Group Games - Bazaar Sale - Face painting and Nail Polish Stations - Baby Sitting for Kids   We kindly ask all mothers to help watch after their kids. The ACC does not bear responsibility for any harm that could happen to your child.   Bring a Savory Dish to Share & a Gift to Exchange (up to $10 max) When: Friday, December 12 , 2014 Time: 6 - 9 PM Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston 77099   Check our new website for pictures and more events for the Arab Ladies Group in Houston at http://www.acchouston.org/.
December 6, 2014  -  Women Coming Together Against Domestic Violence
Physical violence and emotional abuse towards women occurs in one in every four households in the United States. Islamic Relief USA invites you to take action against domestic violence and help our community work to create awareness and understanding. Join other women for an afternoon filled with profound talks, fabulous food, and great company, as we all unite to take a stand against domestic violence and abuse.   Guest Speakers: Hosai Mojaddidi & Haleh Banani Daya Women's Shelter & Bibi Khan of Nisa Center will also be joining us, along with other reputable organizations.   When: Saturday, December 6, 2014 Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm Location: The Junior League of Houston, Inc., 1811 Briar Oaks Ln., Houston, Texas 77027        For More Information: 713.560.6680, asyedm@gmail.com Ticket Link, Facebook Page, Flyer
December 4, 2014  -  Boycott RE/MAX: No Open House on Stolen Land
For more information, click here for Facebook page.
November 28-30, 2014  -  ICNA-MAS South Central Convention
"Liberate Our Minds"   When: November 28-30, 2014 Location: Houston Marriott Westchase, 2900 Briarpark Dr, Houston, Texas 77048      For more information, visit http://icnatexas.org/.
November 21, 2014  -  The ACC Ladies Night Out
The ACC Ladies Night Out At Bait Al-Arab (ACC)   Cordially invites you to join us for a fun & educational ladies night gathering. Program will include:   - Addressing Awareness and Support for Families Living with Autism by our Speaker Ms. Katie Wiseman - Express yourself with Dance: You can get what you want with communication with Coach Mariana Cortez. - Games and Door prize - Bazaar Sale - Face painting and Nail Polish Stations - Baby Sitting for Kids   We also kindly ask all mothers to help watch after their kids. The ACC does not bear responsibility for any harm that could happen to your child. Bring a Savory Dish to Share. Coffee and Drinks will be provided.   Date: Friday, November 21, 2014 Time: 6-9pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston 77099   Check our new website for pictures and more events for the Arab Ladies Group in Houston at http://www.acchouston.org.
November 20, 2014  -  Empowering Through Media Access: How To Get Your Story Told
MPA (Muslim Professional Association) is delighted to present Azmat Khan, an investigative reporter with BuzzFeed, formerly with Al Jazeera America and PBS Frontline. Azmat will draw on her experiences as a journalist to discuss what journalists look for in stories, and how to get your story told. She will focus on how we can work with local and national media to tell stories that impact Muslims. She has won numerous awards for her journalism and produced stories on topics as diverse as the Egyptian revolution, underground abortions in Brazil and the forgotten victims of Detroit’s bankruptcy.   When: November 20, 2014 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Embassy Suites, 11730 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079   Click here for more details and/or to register.
November 15, 2014  -  Islamic Arts Festival Houston
The exhibition will include beautiful pieces from various artists in Houston and surrounding areas. The exhibition will also feature interesting video presentations on the rich history of art in Islamic cultures from all over the world. There will be artists on hand to answer questions about their submissions; there will also be artists available for Henna painting, as well as to create calligraphy drawings with attendees name.     - Enjoy the rich heritage of arts in Islam with your family   - View Paintings, Ceramic tile work, Wood carving!   - See Video & Slideshow of Islamic art   - Have your name written in Arabic calligraphy!   - View and purchase Islamic art   - See live demonstration of Ebru Art   - Have your hands painted with a henna design!     Date: Saturday, November 15, 2014 Time: 10:30am - 5:30pm Location: Masjid Al-Salam, 16700 Old Louetta Road, Spring, TX 77379     Admission Free! Open to All. Everyone Welcome!!    Click here for Facebook page.  Click here for event flyer.
November 14, 2014  -  Christians in the Arab World: History, Demography & Current Affairs
Speaker: Shawqi Kassis Arab American scientist, author and translator   Date: Friday, November 14, 2014 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Rice University, 100 Keck Hall   Directions: Enter campus through Entrance 1 on the corner of Main St. and Sunset Blvd. At the first intersection, you will see a visitor parking lot to the left, the Founder’s Court Visitors Lot. A credit card is required to enter all parking lots.    Seating is limited. To RSVP, please visit www.theaaef.org.    Sponsored by the Arab-American Educational Foundation.   Click here for event flyer.
November 13, 2014  -  Is the Arab World Dying or Being Born?
Speaker: Rami Khouri American University of Beirut   The conflict in the Middle East involves many players, with ISIS taking a leading role in today's narrative. The people of the Middle East seem to be in a struggle for identity, where ethnic, religious, and tribal affiliations are vying for power and control over state and national identities. The map of the Middle East is being redrawn, with a common thread for all the countries involved. Are the old orders dying only to be replaced by narrowly-defined identities?   Rami Khouri is director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut. He also serves as editor at large of the Beirut-based Daily Star newspaper. He spent a year as a Nieman Journalism Fellow at Harvard University and was appointed a member of the Brookings Institution Task Force on US Relations with the Islamic World. He was editor-in-chief of the Jordan Times for seven years and has written for leading international publications including the Financial Times, the Boston Globe, and the Washington Post.   Date: November 13, 2014 Time: Registration 6:00 p.m., Program 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas 77027   To register and/or for more information, visit www.wachouston.org.
November 8, 2014  -  ACC 12th Annual Health and Safety Fair
Click here for event flyer/more details.
November 8, 2014  -  HPJC Peacemaker Awards Dinner with Medea Benjamin
Medea Benjamin has agreed to accept the Houston Peace and Justice Center's annual National Peacemaker Award, and will be the keynote speaker at HPJC's annual awards dinner this year.  Local peacemakers will also receive awards and give short presentations. Their names will be announced sometime this summer.   Besides being a time to recognize notable people and organizations involved with peace and justice, the dinner is also a celebration and opportunity to be with other local activists and supporters.   When: Saturday, November 8, 2014 Time: 6:00pm     For more information, visit www.hpjc.org.
November 6, 2014  -  Breakfast Briefing with Iraqi Ambassador
Ambassador Insight Series: Iraq Breakfast Briefing with His Excellency Lukman Faily   Despite current challenges, Iraq is a fertile landscape for U.S. businesses ready to explore new relationships, build new operations, create new markets, and develop new mutually beneficial business connections. Participants in this exclusive business briefing will have the opportunity to gain first hand insights into the current economic, political and security situation in Iraq.    When: Thursday, November 6, 2014 Time: 8:30 AM - 9 AM - Registration & Networking, 9 AM - 10:30AM - Briefing with Q & A   Members $40, Non-Members $75   For more information or to register, visit http://bilateralchamber.org/ambassador-insight-series-iraq/.
October 29, 2014  -  WORLDQUEST 2014
WHAT IS WORLDQUEST? It's an exciting game of international trivia, played in teams of ten, with four rounds of questions. Answers are submitted by teams, not individuals. It's a great way to test your knowledge of international issues.   WHO CAN PLAY? Anyone can play WorldQuest. Teams can be formed by businesses, schools, clubs, or groups of friends. If you want to play but don't have a team, we can find a team for you.   HOW IS WORLDQUEST PLAYED? The game is played in four rounds of 25 questions each. Your team has 30 seconds to answer each question. The trophy goes to the team with the highest number of points at the end of four rounds. In the event of a tie, a sudden death round will be played.   WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED? The questions will be timely and relevant, covering topics such as international politics, current events, economics, geography, and culture. Questions will cover all parts of the globe, so teams with a geographic balance of expertise will have an advantage. ROUND 1: Africa & the Americas ROUND 2: Europe & Asia ROUND 3: Middle East, Central Asia, N. Africa ROUND 4: Asia & the Pacific CORPORATE CHALLENGE ROUND: Geopolitical Flashpoints in Oil Producing Regions   DATE: Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Registration: 5:30 p.m., Dinner: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m., Program: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.   LOCATION: The Junior League, Main Ballroom, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston 77027   RESERVATIONS: Members & Non-Members: $45, Corp. Challenge Table: $1,000 (713) 522 - 7811, rsvp@wachouston.org, Online Registration, Team Sign-up Form      Visit www.wachouston.org for more information.
October 28, 2014  -  America in the Middle East: ISIS, Iran, Libya, & Syria
Speaker: Michael Doran, the Brookings Institution   As the U.S. juggles multiple crises in the Middle East, a look at any map gives a bleak picture. Iraq, Syria, Gaza, and Libya, many argue, are more dangerous now than any time in the past. Looking at ISIS and the most critical regional conflicts, what are the next steps for the US in the Middle East?    When: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Where: Lone Star Community Building, 5000 Research Forest Drive, Star of Texas Ballroom, The Woodlands   Michael Doran is a senior fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy, where he specializes in Middle East security issues. He has held several academic positions and has served as a deputy assistant secretary of defense and a senior director at the National Security Council.     Visit www.wachouston.org for more information.
October 26, 2014  -  Syrian American Club Fall Picnic
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2014 Time: 12 - 6 Location: Bear Creek Park, Houston   The deadline to RSVP is Friday, October 24. Reservations can only be made online.   Tickets will not be sold at the door.   Please feel free to call us at (713) 266-5577 or email us at syrianamericanclub@yahoo.com if you have any questions.   Click here for event flyer.
October 25, 2014  -  Maryam Islamic Center Peace Carnival
Click here for more info.
October 24, 2014  -  ACC Ladies' Night Out Group Gathering
The ACC Ladies Night Out Group At Bait Al-Arab (ACC) Cordially invites you to join us for a fun & educational ladies night gathering. Program will include: • Addressing New Immigrants Integration to Life in the US by our Speaker Ms. Wafa Abdin, Esq. • Games and Door prize • Bring your Nice Traditional Abaya to Show and Wear Along with your Music to Dance • Henna and Hand Craft art by Nermin • Beauty and Nutrition by Rufina • Jewelry sale, Face painting and Nail Polish Stations   Bring a savory dish to share. Coffee and Drinks will be provided.   Date: Friday, October 24, 2014 Time: From 6-9 pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston 77099   Check our new website for pictures and more events for the Arab Ladies Group in Houston at www.acchouston.org or at www.arabladies.us.
October 23, 2014  -  Issues Briefing: Women of the Holy Land: Honest Perspectives from a Conflicted Region
Join the International Studies Society at St. Thomas University and the Distinguished Diplomacy Program in welcoming Nicole Minor, co-author of Open Doors: Women of the Holy Land Share Their Stories, as she reveals an intimate portrait of both Israel and Palestinian women’s lives, including the realities, conditions and histories that shape their identities, days and futures.   When: Thursday, October 23, 2014 Time: 7:30 pm - 9 pm Location: UST, Little Art Gallery, 3907 Yoakum, Houston   Cost: Free For more info, contact Diana Speaks (speaksd@stthom.edu, 713-525-3530).    Hosted by the Center for International Studies, UST.   Click here for event flyer.
October 23, 2014  -  "Return to Homs" Screening with Joshua Landis
Kentucky-based artist Gerald Ferstman explores the current conflict in Syria through his exhibition, “I Spy I Love the Smell of Gas and Bombs: Recent Paintings by Gerald Ferstman,” which runs through Oct. 23, 2014, at the University of Houston-Clear Lake Art Gallery, Bayou Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston.   On Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., renowned Syrian conflict expert Joshua Landis will give a lecture following a screening of the award-winning documentary “Return to Homs” in the Bayou Theater. Filmed from 2011 to 2013, the documentary follows Abdul Basset al-Saroot, the charismatic goalkeeper for the Syrian national soccer team, along with his friend Ossama Al Homsi, a video journalist. Saroot heightens his icon status by singing revolutionary songs, eventually joining the rebel militia in the fight to bring down the Assad regime. The film won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.   This is the third of three community programs in conjunction with the art exhibition.    Landis is associate professor in the College of International Studies at the University of Oklahoma and director of the Center of Middle Eastern Studies. He routinely travels to Washington to consult with government agencies and speak at think tanks, including the Woodrow Wilson Institute, Brookings Institute, United States Institute of Peace, Middle East Institute and Council on Foreign Relations. He is a frequent analyst on TV and radio, most recently appearing on PBS News Hour, the Charlie Rose Show, al-Jazeera, Frontline, NPR and BBC radio. He is regularly published in such journals as Foreign Policy, Middle East Policy and Time Magazine. The event is presented as part of UHCL Office of Student Life’s Film and Speaker Series.   Admission is free to all three community events and free parking will be available in the visitors’ lot or Lot D. Light refreshments will be served preceding each program.   Seating is limited and tickets are required for the “Return to Homs” screening; order by calling 281-283-3376. General admission to the gallery is free during regular gallery hours. Visit http://www.uhcl.edu/maps for directions.     For more information, click here.
Now through October 23, 2014  -  Art Gallery Featuring Syria
Kentucky-based artist Gerald Ferstman explores the current conflict in Syria through his exhibition, “I Spy I Love the Smell of Gas and Bombs: Recent Paintings by Gerald Ferstman,” which runs through Oct. 23, 2014, at the University of Houston-Clear Lake Art Gallery, Bayou Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston.   Admission is free to all three community events and free parking will be available in the visitors’ lot or Lot D. Light refreshments will be served preceding each program. Seating is limited and tickets are required for the “Return to Homs” screening; order by calling 281-283-3376. General admission to the gallery is free during regular gallery hours. Visit http://www.uhcl.edu/maps for directions. For more information, click here.
October 22, 2014  -  Perspectives on Leadership & Entrepreneurship
The Muslim Professional Association (MPA) is delighted to feature Raazi Imam, CEO of Caiman Consulting, in our upcoming networking event. Raazi will discuss his transition as a consulting professional into both leadership and entrepreneurship roles. He will provide insights into how professionals can prepare themselves to acquire leadership roles and what it takes to bridge the gap into entrepreneurship opportunities.    When: October 22, 2014 Time: 6:15 pm Where: Embassy Suites - Energy Corridor, Katy Freeway near Kirkwood, Houston   MPA Members can attend this event at no charge & non-members can attend for $25 by registering in advance. Please consider becoming a member at a special rate of just $70 to attend this event and 2 additional events in 2014-15.   To register, visit www.mpahouston.com.   To reserve a table of 8 for your organization, firm or group for $200, please email services@mpahouston.com.
October 20, 2014  -  What Happens in Syria Does Not Stay in Syria
Speaker: Josh Landis, the University of Oklahoma   The plight of the Syrian population, the loss of over 200,000 lives, and the appalling destruction of Syrian cities is suffering enough. Yet the conflict has wider implications that are now being felt throughout the Middle East. The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, ISIS, now controls much of Syria. It represents a transnational terror threat to the region, to Europe, and to the American homeland.   When: Monday, October 20, 2014 Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Where: The Junior League Building, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston   Joshua Landis teaches modern Middle Eastern history and politics as an associate professor and Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. He is considered by many to be one of the nation’s foremost Syria analysts and his advice is sought by the State Department and other government agencies. Dr. Landis has been interviewed on media outlets including Charlie Rose, PBS News Hour, Al-Jazeera, and many others.   Visit www.wachouston.org for more information.
October 15, 2014  -  Al-Awda Houston General Meeting
Agenda: Overview, Al-Awda global, national and local accomplishments and goals, selecting a committee to help us lead a more effective campaign for the right of return.   When: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 Time: 7 pm Location: Arab-American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston, 77099
October 13, 2014  -  "How Does Israel's Attack on Gaza Relate to Kerry's Failed "Peace Process" Talks?" by Josh Ruebner
Join Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at UH in welcoming Josh Ruebner for a book talk! Josh Ruebner is the author of the book, "Shattered Hopes: Obama's Failure to Broker Israeli-Palestinian Peace." He is the National Advocacy Director of the US Campaign to End Israeli Occupation.   This is a great opportunity to increase community and on-campus awareness, gain new perspective, and learn how to be further involved!   This is a COMMUNITY event and everyone is welcome to attend this event. This event is free, but donations are appreciated to help further our efforts as a student organization.   T-shirts will be on sale for $15 at this event   We will be serving food! Once again, donations are appreciated.      When: Monday, October 13, 2014 Time: 7 pm Location: Stephen Power Farish Hall, FH—Building 587, Kiva Room 101, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004   Parking: The most convenient parking will be in the Welcome Center at the corner of University Drive and Calhoun Road. From there, we will have volunteers to help direct you.   For questions, please feel free to message us through this page or to send us an email at sjphouston@gmail.com.   Sponsored by Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Houston. Free and open to the public. RSVP and spread the word on Facebook.
October 13, 2014  -  Interfaith Outreach Field Day for Junior High School Students
Click here for event flyer.
October 11, 2014  -  Eid El-Adha Carnival
When: Saturday, October 11, 2014 Time: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: MAS Katy Center, 1800 Baker Road, Houston 77094      Click here for event flyer.
October 11, 2014  -  Eid Fest
When: Saturday, October 11, 2014 Time: 3:00PM To 9:00PM Location: Sugar Land Town Square, Sugar Land, TX, 77479      Click here for event flyer.
October 11, 2014  -  ACC 21st Anniversary Gala
The Arab American Cultural and Community Center Board of Directors and Mrs. Randa Baba Chadraoui request the Pleasure of Your Company at the ACC 21st Anniversary Celebration Gala "Moving Forward"   Honoring:   Dr. Kamal G. Khalil, MD, 2014 Outstanding Community Service Award   Dr. Samia N. Khalil, MD, 2014 ACC Lifetime Achievement Award   Farouk Systems, 2014 ACC Outstanding Philanthropic Honoree   Highlighting The Culture and People of Morocco   Performance by Del Espadin Baile Espanol Dance Troupe Caftan Fashion Show by Frederique Birkemeyer Live Entertainment Moroccan Diva Saida Charaf Houston's Children Chorus Silent Auction: Moroccan Bazaar Mistress of Ceremonies: Ms. Sonia Azad, ABC Channel 13   When: Saturday, October 11, 2014 Time: Reception 6:30 PM, Program & Dinner 7:30 PM Location: Omni Hotel Grand Ballroom, 4 Riverway, Houston, Texas 77056 For Reservation & Information: 832-351-3366 or email at gala@acchouston.org   Click here for event flyer.
October 9, 2014  -  Free Palestine: How You Can Help
Free Palestine: How You Can Help- Free Pizza and Music!   Come eat free pizza and snacks while learning about Palestine and the Boycotts, Divestments, and Sanctions Movement which will make it free!   We will also have a surprise musical guest to keep you entertained!   Date: Thursday, October 9, 2014 Time: 7 pm Location: University of Houston - Agnes Arnold Building Room 303, Houston      For more information, visit the event's Facebook Page.
October 8, 2014  -  Panel Discussion on the War in Syria
Kentucky-based artist Gerald Ferstman explores the current conflict in Syria through his exhibition, “I Spy I Love the Smell of Gas and Bombs: Recent Paintings by Gerald Ferstman,” which runs through Oct. 23, 2014, at the University of Houston-Clear Lake Art Gallery, Bayou Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston.   On Wednesday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m., members from Houston’s Syrian American community will participate in a panel discussion in the art gallery about Syria. It will feature Shiyam Galyon, president of the Houston Chapter of the Syrian American Council, and Omar Shishakly and Samer Tawakkol, members of the Syrian American Club of Houston, and it is moderated by Maria Curtis, associate professor of Anthropology and Cross-Cultural Studies.   This is the second of three community programs in conjunction with the art exhibition.   Admission is free to all three community events and free parking will be available in the visitors’ lot or Lot D. Light refreshments will be served preceding each program.   Seating is limited and tickets are required for the “Return to Homs” screening; order by calling 281-283-3376. General admission to the gallery is free during regular gallery hours. Visit http://www.uhcl.edu/maps for directions.     For more information, click here.
October 5, 2014  -  Spread the Smiles - Eid Festival for Syria
It's back...and its bigger than ever! Bring your family and friends and come join Maram Foundation for this year's Spread the Smiles Eid Festival for Charity 2014 benefitting the children of the Syrian crisis. Enjoy a day of fun, delicious food and a great time knowing that you are helping to Spread the Smiles to children in need.     Highlights: Moonwalks, Bungee run, Rock Wall, Face Painting, Balloon Making, Pop Corn, Cotton Candy, Carnival Games, Delicious Food, Tasty Desserts, Texas Extreme Challenger, and much more!   When: Sunday, October 5, 2014 Time: 1 - 6 pm Location: Arab-American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston, 77099    ADVANCE TICKETS (end 10/3): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spread-the-smiles-2014-eid-festival-for-charity-tickets-13376785325 Adults: $10, Kids (2-12): $5   AT DOOR: Adults: $15, Kids: $10   VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Email: spreadthesmiles12@gmail.com for volunteer opportunities or if you would like to donate items to the bake sale. Monetary donations accepted online at the ticket site or at http://www.maramfoundation.org/. Thank you for your support!   Your family's participation in this Eid event will help provide hope and a bright future for Syrian kids.   * All OUTDOOR GAMES & ACTIVITIES will begin to SHUT DOWN at 5:30pm (before dark) Click here for event flyer.
October 2-5, 2014  -  The Original Greek Festival
Come and join The Original Greek Festival.   When: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - October 2-5, 2014 Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral complex, Near downtown and the Museum District, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006       For more information, visit www.greekfestival.org.
October 4, 2014  -  Protest against US Military Intervention in Iraq & Syria
Several weeks ago, the US Government began its third war in Iraq—and then began bombing in Syria last night. Although we abhor ISIS, we condemn the latest US war as illegal, immoral, and imperialist. Please join the Progressive Workers Organizing Committee and friends for a spirited demonstration against US military intervention in Iraq and Syria. There will be an open mic at the event, and all participants will be encouraged to voice their opposition to this new US war.   When: Saturday, October 4, 2014 Time:2:00pm Location: Sidewalk in front of Starbucks at the corner of Westheimer and Post Oak, Houston
October 3, 2014  -  “NOT IN MY NAME”  Awareness Rally
“NOT IN MY NAME” is the message that will be heard loud and clear. We will stand united as Muslims from every walk of life to say to Houston and the world that the hate and terror that is clouding the Muslim world is not done in our name. There will be no room for Sunni or Shia, Democrat or Republican, Arab or non-Arab, nor for any political views. This is a human message that we MUST send out to the world to show them who REAL Muslims are and what they believe. It is our duty as Muslims to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil. On the Day of Arafah it will be your best deed to present to your God and the world. Let’s show those extremists that we know Islam better than they do!   WHAT: “NOT IN MY NAME” Awareness Rally WHERE: Intersection of Westheimer and Post Oak (In front of Starbucks), Galleria area Time: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. WHEN: Friday, October 3, 2014 (Day of Arafah) WHY: It is our duty as Americans and citizens of the world!! WHO: YOU!   ***Posters will be available!!!   Click here for Facebook page.
October 2, 2014 - Global Health Awareness in the Time of Ebola & MERS
From the Bilateral U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce:   At a time when mobility across borders and continents is not only easier, but required to conduct business internationally, the recent headlines warning of infectious diseases and epidemics like MERS in the Middle East, Ebola in West Africa or the Swine Flu in Asia, have raised concerns among the international business community.   In response to these concerns, the Bilateral Chamber has selected experts from Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Children’s Global Health Initiative, the City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services, and the Houston Airport System to provide their perspectives on mitigating this global health crisis.    Featured panelists include:   Dr. Raouf Arafat- Director of Surveillance and Public Health Preparedness : City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services   Byron Oujesky – Airport Emergency Management Coordinator: Houston Airport Systems   Join us for this frank discussion on steps that must be taken to mitigate a global health crisis at the macro level as well as crisis management strategies that are planned by airport and public health leadership at the local level.   Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of the dialogue. Register now for this timely event   When: Thursday, October 2nd, 2014 Where: Houston, TX* Registration and Networking: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Executive Briefing: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Members: $30.00 | Non-Members: $50.00   Supporting Organizations Include: U.S. - Mexico Chamber of Commerce Pakistan Chamber of Commerce Texas-Turkish American Chamber of Commerce   *Location Details Provided Upon Confirmed Registration        For more information and/or to register, click here.
September 26, 2014  -  THE ACC Ladies' Night Out Group
The ACC Ladies Night Out Group Cordially invites you to join us for a fun & educational ladies night gathering. Program includes:    - College Funding Speaker Presentation  - Dance Lesson class with life time instructor Catherine  - Jewelry sale  - Door Prize   Bring a finger food dish to share. Coffee and Drinks will be provided.   Date: Friday, September 26, 2014 Time: 6:00 -9:00 PM Location: Arab American Cultural and Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston 77099   Check our new website for pictures and more events for the Arab Ladies Group in Houston at http://www.acchouston.org/.
September 26, 2014 - Reporting From The Front Line: The Humanitarian and Health Crisis in Syria
Date: Friday, September 26, 2014 Time: 6 pm - 8 pm Location: Houston Baptist University, Mabee Theatre, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston 77074   Sponsored by the Union of Syrian Medical Relief Organizations (UOSSM-USA).   Click here for more details/event flyer.
September 21, 2014  -  International Day of Peace: Discussion and Celebration Presented in Partnership with Edge of Arabia
On the occasion of the United Nation’s International Day of Peace – September 21, 2014 – the Rothko Chapel, in partnership with Art Jameel, will host a special event to honor the freedom of direct cultural exchange and physical mobility for artists across borders. This celebratory event also marks the launch of CULTURUNNERS, an independent artists’ journey and core component of Edge of Arabia’s multi-year tour across America. In the spirit of the Rothko Chapel’s humanist mission to inspire people to action through art and to provide a forum for global concerns, this event brings together artists, scholars and community groups to cultivate new perspectives on cultural collaboration. Participants include:      Proffesor Ussama Makdisi, rice university    Taysir Batniji & Sarah Abu-Abdullah, artists    Fred Baldwin & Wendy Watriss, fotofest    Dr. Dina Al-Sowayel, university of houston    Stephen Stapleton, edge of arabia   A panel discussion will be followed by a special ‘Makkah Journey’ film screening by Saudi Arabian artist and Edge of Arabia co-founder, Ahmed Mater accompanied by music from oud player Essam Rafea.   When: Sunday, September 21, 2014 Time: 7 p.m. Where: Rothko Chapel, 3900 Yupon Street, Houston, TX 77006   The event is free and open to the public, and launches the Rothko Chapel’s season of events on Art, Spirituality and Nonviolence.    Supported by FotoFest International and the Arab American Cultural and Community Center of Houston, the evening also includes a ‘journey’ film screening by pioneering Saudi Arabian artist Ahmed Mater on the Rothko Chapel facade.   For more info and/or to register, click here or email rsvp@edgeofarabia.com.   Click here for event flyer.
September 20, 2014  -  3rd Annual Civil Rights Conference
On September 20, the second Civil Rights Conference will be held at the Mickey Leland Building on the Texas Southern University campus. This day-long program will focus on learning activism skills in areas such as immigration, criminal justice, discrimination, community empowerment and political strategies. Registration fees:   Early-bird registration $7   Registration at the door $10   Student discount $5   If you are ready to work for a more just world, attend the CRC and learn how. Registration will be open soon.   For more information, visit www.houstoncrc.com.
September 20, 2014  -  Mediterranean Night Gala
Saint Anthony the Great Orthodox Christian Church invites you to its eighth annual Mediterranean Night Gala.    For more information, visit www.stanthonythegreat.org/Mediterranean-Night-Gala.html.
September 19, 2014  -  "NESHOBA: The Price of Freedom" Film Screening
The award winning film, NESHOBA: The Price of Freedom, will be premiered at the University of Houston.   When: Friday, September 19, 2014 Time: 7 pm Location: University of Houston, Science & Engineering Complex Auditorium (SEC 100)   I was 17 years old in 1964, I wanted to be part of Freedom Summer campaign to help register black people to vote. My father was adamant about not letting me go. In that year 3 volunteers, James Chanay, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner went missing and their bodies were discovered two months later. I was devastated. Forty-five years later I directed Neshoba: The Price of Freedom documentary film. My name is Micki Dickoff. I'll be at University of Houston on September 19, 2014 to show this film at 7 PM and discuss status of the Voting Rights Act with you and answer your questions.   Sponsored By:   Houston Peace and Justice Center   Black Heritage Society   Center for the Healing of Racism   SHAPE COMMUNITY CENTER   Council on American–Islamic Relations   Texas Civil Rights Project   ACLU of Texas      Click here for event flyer.
September 18-21, 2014  -  "View From Inside: Contemporary Arab Photography, Video and Mixed Media" at HFAF
Selections from the FotoFest 2014 Biennial "View From Inside: Contemporary Arab Photography, Video and Mixed Media" at the Houston Fine Art Fair (HFAF).   FotoFest presents a special series of programs for next week's Houston Fine Art Fair, September 18 - 21, 2014 at the NRG Center (formally the Reliant Center) in Houston, Texas.   EXHIBITION - September 18 - 21 Over the years FotoFest has presented a series of dynamic exhibitions at the HFAF. FotoFest continues the tradition with a special exhibition of works chosen from FotoFest's acclaimed 2014 Biennial Arab exhibition - View From Inside.   View From Inside: Contemporary Arab Photography, Video and Mixed Media Art was first exhibited in Houston as part of the FotoFest 2014 Biennial, the Fifteenth International Biennial of Photography and Photo Related Art, March 15 - April 29, 2014, in Houston, Texas. The full exhibition features 49 artists from 14 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and was curated by Lead Curator Karin Adrian von Roques, with FotoFest Senior Curator Wendy Watriss. Ms. von Roques has over 20 years experience working with Arab artists, museums institutions and publications.   BOOK - September 18 - 21 FotoFest will have copies of the new hardcover book, VIEW FROM INSIDE, available at the fair. The book, a companion to the 2014 Biennial Arab exhibition, is published with Schilt Publishing, Amsterdam, and contains four essays by renowned Arab art scholars on the emergance and development of photography in the region from the mid-nineteenth century through today. The essays are accompanied by an introduction from FotoFest's Wendy Watriss. The 340 page book contains over 200 full color and duotone reproductions from 49 Arab artists from the Middle East and North Africa.   INTERVIEW - Saturday, September 20, 4pm FotoFest Co-founder Wendy Watriss interviews Anne Wilkes Tucker, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston photography curator and the recipient of the the HFAF 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award.   PANEL DISCUSSION - Sunday, September 21, 2pm Wendy Watriss will lead a panel discussion on the development of contemporary Arab visual art from the Middle East and North Africa over the past 15 years. The discussion will include an overview of the creative, commercial and educational infrastructures that have developed in recent years in the Middle and the way they are supporting creative art in this part of the world. Panelists include Omar Donia, publisher of the leading Middle East art journal Contemporary Practices, Visual Arts from the Middle East; and artist Khaled Hafez, internationally known painter, videographer and multi-media artist from Egypt.   Click Here for a Complimentary Day Pass to the Fair.   For more info, click here.
September 18, 2014  -  “German-Jewish Echoes in 20th Century Arab Thought: The Interpretations of Hannah Arendt”
Department of History at Rice University Presents a lecture by Dr. Jens Hanssen, Associate Professor at University of Toronto   “German-Jewish Echoes in 20th Century Arab Thought: The Interpretations of Hannah Arendt”   When: Thursday, September 18, 2014 Time: 4:30 PM Where: Humanities Bldg., Room 119, Rice University   Jens Hanssen is Associate Professor of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean history at the University of Toronto. His book publications include Fin de Siècle Beirut (Oxford, 2005) and the co-edited volume Arab Provincial Capitals in the Late Ottoman Empire (Beirut, 2002); He has recently published in The New Cambridge History of Islam (2010), the International Journal of Middle East Studies (2011), and The Fin de Siècle Reader (2015)   His present research which focuses on the intersections between German, Jewish and Arab intellectual histories has yielded two articles, “Kafka and Arabs” (Critical Inquiry, 2012), and “Translating Revolution: Hannah Arendt and Arab Political Culture.   Lecture Open To The Public.   Click here for event flyer.
September 17, 2014  -  Syria Art Gallery Talk with Gerald Ferstman
Kentucky-based artist Gerald Ferstman explores the current conflict in Syria through his exhibition, “I Spy I Love the Smell of Gas and Bombs: Recent Paintings by Gerald Ferstman,” which runs through Oct. 23, 2014, at the University of Houston-Clear Lake Art Gallery, Bayou Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston.   The gallery is presenting three community programs in conjunction with the exhibition. First, on Wednesday Sept. 17, 6 p.m., Ferstman will lead a talk in the gallery to explain the context and methods of his painting.   Admission is free to all three community events and free parking will be available in the visitors’ lot or Lot D. Light refreshments will be served preceding each program.   Seating is limited and tickets are required for the “Return to Homs” screening; order by calling 281-283-3376. General admission to the gallery is free during regular gallery hours. Visit http://www.uhcl.edu/maps for directions.     For more information, click here.
September 17, 2014  -  Stop the Gaza Ethnic Cleansing: A Discussion on Tactics and Strategies for Supporters of Palestine
When: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 Time: 7:30pm Where: 1504 Wirt Rd., Unitarian Fellowship (approx 1 mile north of I-10 just past Westview across from Krogers), Houston   Sponsored by: Justice for Palestinians Donations Accepted (Seating Limited)   Click here for vent flyer.
September 16, 2014  -  The Middle East in Turmoil: Challenges to U.S. Policy
Featured Speaker: The Honorable Edward P. Djerejian, Founding Director, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy   When: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Where: James A. Baker III Hall, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston 77005, Doré Commons   Events in Iraq, Syria, Gaza and beyond have demonstrated the scale and complexity of the challenges facing the United States and its interests in the Middle East. The advance of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the heart of the Arab world threatens to destabilize the entire region. The civil war in Syria continues to empower ISIS and other violent extremist groups while fueling Sunni-Shia conflict and widespread human suffering. Gaza is witnessing the longest and deadliest round of clashes between Israel and Hamas, with dozens of Israelis and nearly 2,000 Palestinians killed. Beyond the immediate crises, U.S. foreign policy has not made significant headway on key long-term goals, such as an Iranian nuclear deal and a sustainable Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.   At the inaugural Founding Director’s Lecture Series presentation, Baker Institute founding director Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian will discuss the historical forces at play in the current regional turmoil and outline factors for a coherent and comprehensive approach to U.S. policy in the Middle East. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.   Registration is free for Roundtable members and $20 for nonmembers. Full refunds are available before 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15. After this date, you may send an alternate to attend the event without an additional charge. For more information, click here.
July 14-Sept. 12, 2014  -  ACC Scholarship Announcement 2014-2015
The Arab American Cultural and Community Center is pleased to announce a new College Scholarship Program for Arab American students who seek or currently attend a College or University. The application period will run from Monday, July 14th, 2014 to Friday, September 12th, 2014.   To apply for The Arab-American Cultural & Community Center Scholarship Program, please submit the following items in a neat package in a clear binder in the order:   1. Complete the attached application form. Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, and of Arabic origins.   2. Submit two letters of recommendation from either your teachers and/or employers. These should state how long you have been acquainted, what the nature of the relationship is, comments about your character and abilities, and any other information you would like the committee to consider.   3. Prepare and attach an essay of at least 500 words (typed, double-spaced, 12 point font, no more than two pages long), describing your career goals, your reasons for choosing these goals and what you have done thus far to prepare yourself and how you hope to give back to your community one day. Please state any previous volunteer work for the ACC or any other non-profit organization.   4. Attach an official transcript of your grades from your high school and college (if you have begun taking classes).   5. A Signed commitment pledge to volunteer for the Arab American Center in Houston for at least 10 hours during the semester in which the scholarship was awarded.   Mail or bring in your packet to: The Arab-American Cultural & Community Center 10555 Stancliff Road Houston, TX 77099 Attn: Scholarship Program   Application Submissions Deadline: Package must be received by September 12, 2014. Scholarship recipient will be notified on September 25th, 2014. Scholarship will be awarded at the ACC Annual Gala on Saturday, October 11, 2014.   Click here to download ACC Scholarship Application Pack For more information, please email: webmaster@acchouston.org
September 11, 2014  -  "Anatomy of a Great Deception" Film Screening
Houston 9/11 Truth will debut Dave Hooper's innovative new film ANATOMY OF A GREAT DECEPTION on the 13th anniversary of the tragic but still widely misunderstood events of 9/11:   When: Thursday, September 11, 2014 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet, Houston (donation encouraged but not required)   Here's a brief synopsis of this unique film from its website:   The film is a fast-paced, “docu-thriller,” following one man's peek behind the curtain of the official 9/11 story. As his investigation progresses he struggles to cope with the findings of his own research and the impact it has on his life and those around him. In the film, businessman-turned-filmmaker, David Hooper takes the audience down the "rabbit hole" to get a deeper look at the evidence. He presents a compelling case for why, even after a decade, the story of 9/11 remains relevant.   This film has been endorsed by Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth. Here's Richard Gage to tell you why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY1ZiGJGcLc   Watch the official trailer for this exciting new film: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaZfgYUCiVw
September 6, 2014  -  Houston BDS Movement for Palestine Event
Houstonians are Invited to join the Worldwide Movement to Save Palestine: Educational Gathering on Boycotts, Divestments, and Sanctions (BDS) Against Israeli Apartheid this Saturday. The community will gather to spread awareness about the worldwide Boycotts, Divestments, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, which calls for conscious consumerism in the face of the illegal occupation and oppression of Palestinian people by the State of Israel.   Click here for more info.
September 6, 2014  -  Young Muslims Quiz Competition '14
This year features three competition types:     - Knowledge Quiz   - Qira’at Competition   - Speech Competition    Date: September 6, 2014 Location:  SEC Building, University of Houston   Click here for more info.
September 1, 2014  -  Save the Children of Palestine Awareness Day
From Ferguson to Palestine! "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" -MLK   On September 1st, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Plaza, civil rights organizations and activists including the Black Heritage Society, CAIR, Houstonians for Peace, and Students for Justice in Palestine will unite together to educate the community about what exactly is happening in Palestine and comment on the militarization of police in Ferguson.   Protesting and the Boycott Divestment and Sanction campaign have proven to be successful, but in order to spread more awareness we as a collective community will be hosting this movement to unite people from all walks of life to learn about the Israeli Apartheid state.   Gaza is still under constant bombardment, while our efforts are crucial at this particular moment, we cannot forget that Palestine is under occupation. There is plenty of work to be done to ensure that our tax dollars no longer fund this illegal occupation and we end apartheid once and for all.    Date: September 1, 2014 Time: 10 a.m. Location:  MacGregor Park, 5225 Calhoun Rd, Houston, Texas 77021   Click here for event flyer.
August 31, 2014  -  Reading for Palestine
A reading for the more than 2000 people, including 500+ children, who have been killed in Gaza and in honor of their struggle as well as the struggle of all Palestinians for freedom from occupation.   Featuring: Russel Swensen, Amir Safi, Brandon Lamson, Laurie Clements Lambeth, Michael Snediker, Hayan Charara, and Fady Joudah   Please note that this is also a fund raiser for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (http://www.pcrf.net) with a suggested ten dollar donation.     Date: August 31, 2014 Time: 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Location: Avant Garden, 411 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006 (832) 287-5577   Organized by the Writers of Houston.
August 24, 2014  -  History of Palestine FREE Online Broadcast
To Exist is to Resist August 24th | 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM PST FREE Online Broadcast + Onsite at MCA (California)   The History of the Palestinian Struggle   Dr. Hatem Bazian Senior Lecturer at UC Berkley & Chair of American Muslims for Palestine   Topics to be covered: 1. An Overview of Palestine's Ancient History 2. Emergence of Zionism as a Colonial Settler Movement 3. World War I and the Fragmentation of the Muslim World 4. Key Early International Documents Related to Palestine 5. British Mandate and the Empowerment of Zionism 6. The Nekba and Systematic and Deliberate Dispossession 7. 1948-1967 Period 8. The Post 1967 and Peace Process 9. History of Palestinian Resistance 10. Palestine: A Global Struggle   FREE REGISTRATION   Learn how the Palestinian Struggle Began!   Watch online at www.ilmflix.com/live.   ILMFLIX is a project of ICNA.
August 17, 2014  -  Film on Gaza: "Where Should the Birds Fly"
Click here for the details.
August 17, 2014  -  The Story of Palestinians with Tariq Khdeir & Shaykh Omar Suleiman
Helping Hand for Relief and Development is bringing Sheikh Omar Suleiman and Brother Tariq Abu Khdeir to Houston August 17th for a night you'll NEVER forget! Sheikh Omar Suleiman along with Brother Tariq Abu Khdeir are teaming up to bring you the most epic story of Palestine ever told!   Sheikh Omar Suleiman, has been a vocal human rights supporter and will keep us on the edge of our seats as he inspires us with his amazing talks! Brother Tariq Abu Khdeir, whose story has gone viral across social media during the Gaza massacre, will be sharing us his story LIVE. He is telling his story on Capitol Hill (http://endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=4120) and now YOU can get a chance to hear it!   More on his story can be here on CNN. http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2014/07/22/american-teen-recounts-savage-beating-by-israeli-police-that-helped-spark-crisis/ When: Sunday, August 17, 2014 Time: 6pm-11pm Location: Norris Center / Red Oaks Ballroom, Town & Country City Center, (I-10 & BW-8) 816 Town and Country Blvd, # 210, Houston, Texas 77024   Tickets: $25 Per Person $10 Per Students (with ID), $200 Per Table of 8, Seating is Limited Purchase the Tickets at: www.HHRD.Org Organized By: The Students for Justice in Palestine, The Council of American-Islamic Relations, Clear Lake Islamic Center, Masjid El-Farouq, Young Muslims, ICNA Houston, UH MSA, MAS Houston, CAIR Houston   Contact: Abdullah Elasmar 832.518.7050, Nour Naser 281.948.5616, Hoda El-Haj 832-671-1692, Ahmad Alaswad 281-965-2421, Javid Sultan 832-618-7734    Sponsored By: Helping Hand For Relief & Development. All the Proceeds & Funds Raised at this Event will go towards HHRD USA Palestine Relief Fund. For more info, click here.   Click here for event flyer.
August 15-17, 2014  -  Humanitarian Drive:  Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and other areas
Click here for the details including drop off places, dates and times.
August 15, 2014  -  Seminar on Preparing an Islamic Will
Date: Friday, August 15, 2014 Time: 8:00PM To 11:00PM Location: Masjid Maryam, 504 Sartartia Rd., Sugar Land, TX, 77479 Contact email: info@maryammasjid.org   Click here for event flyer.
August 9, 2014  -  Emergency Protest For Gaza
Stop Killing Our Children!   When: Saturday, August 9, 2014 Where: Corner of Post Oak and Westheimer (Galleria Area), Houston Time: 3:00 pm - 7 pm    For more info, click here.    Click here for event flyer.
August 9, 2014  -  An Evening with George Galloway (in Dallas)
For more info, visit http://muslimcongress.org/wp/.   Click here for event flyer.
August 3, 2014  -  MAS Katy Eid Ul- Fitr Carnival
Click here for event flyer.
August 3, 2014  -  Solidarity with Gaza: A Fundraising Event for the Victims of the Current Crisis in Gaza
Click here for event flyer.
August 2, 2014  -  Texas Stands With Gaza - Houston
Click here for more details.   Click here for "Get On The Bus" info.
July 31, 2014  -  Documentary about Syria's Revolution "RETURN TO HOMS"
On July 31, 2014, the Syrian American Council - Houston Chapter invites you to attend a film screening of 'RETURN TO HOMS', a Sundance-winning feature documentary at Rice University. The documentary follows a nineteen-year-old goalkeeper-turned-insurgent, Abdul Basset, as he and a ragtag group of comrades fight to protect the captive inhabitants of the besieged city of Homs. As one of the unlikely leaders of the Syrian rebellion Basset has become something of a totemic figure, with Le Monde labeling him an 'icon of the revolution'. His protest songs and dark sense of humor reflect his dream of peaceful liberation from Assad's oppressive regime, but when their hopeful uprising is met with violent resistance by government forces, he and his companions take up arms. Trailing the fearless crew over a two-year period, this remarkable film sees the city Basset once knew and loved, deserted and torn apart beyond recognition.   What: 'Return to Homs' Documentary Screening Where: Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, Room: Herring 100 When: Thursday July 31, 2014 at 7:30pm   Speaker Panelists: Yara Samman - Syrian activist from Homs; Ilyas Choudry - Director of Programs of Helping Hand For Relief & Development (HHRD); Omar Shishakly - Co-Founder of Maram Foundation - organization helps Internally Displaced Syrians and Refugees; and Shiyam Galyon - SAC Houston President Who: Syrian American Council - Houston Chapter (SAC)   Online Tickets Available at: http://bit.ly/1mGmcgd   To learn more, or view the movie trailer, please visit the film's official website: http://www.returntohoms.com/   Contact: Shiyam Galyon, Syrian American Council - Houston Chapter President, Email: sgalyon@sacouncil.com; Phone: 281-777-3979. Visit SAC Houston Facebook page for more updates: https://www.facebook.com/sac.tx.
July 29, 2014  -  Silent Vigil for Gaza
This vigil will be held in the Freedmen's Town Prayer Labyrinth garden (beside Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church) in mid-town, Houston (see address above). This will be a non-denominational service for all people to silently mourn the nearly 800 innocent victims, mostly children, in Gaza, as well as thousands of injured and bereaved family members. Pray for an end to the siege of Gaza and for world peace. Pray for Palestine's freedom in this historically significant place where equality and human rights have prevailed.   When: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 Time: 8 p.m. Location: Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist, 1300 Valentine, Houston, Texas   For more info, click here.
July 25, 2014  -  International Day of Al-Quds
Al-Quds is Arabic for Jerusalem and its environs, the Holy Land. Yaum Al-Quds or Al-Quds Day is a day of solidarity with the oppressed innocent civilian Palestinians in their struggle against the racist oppressive Zionist-Apartheid system of Israel and a day of protest against the occupation of the grand historic Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Zionist regime. Al-Quds Day also extends beyond Palestine to support all innocent and oppressed people in their struggles across the world. All over the world seminars, rallies and marches are held on this day, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan in order to pledge solidarity with those seeking peace through justice.       When: Friday, July 25, 2014 Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 p.m. Location: Westheimer @ Post Oak (Galleria Area), Houston      Organized by Muslim Congress. For more info, click here.   Click here for event flyer.
July 25, 2014  -  Palestine Children's Relief Fund First Benefit Iftar
When: Friday, July 25, 2014 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Fadi's Meyerland, 4738 Beechnut Street, Houston 77096        Click here for the details/event flyer.
July 25, 2014  -  Mural Block Party: Changing Language, Changing Worlds
Join us for a Block Party, with food trucks, Saint Arnolds beverages, and tunes by local DJs Chris Meshak and Shermin Williams.   Friday, July 25th from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The Printing Museum 1324 W Clay St., Houston, TX 77019   About the Artist: Pascal Zoghbi, leading Lebanese graphic designer and typographer, designed a mural with local gra ti artist DUAL. It incorporates Arabic script, calligraphy, and digital font-types. The mural, painted on the museums west wall, will be unveiled at the Block Party on July 25. This project, while serving to bridge communities, also serves to bridge the divide between languages, written and spoken. For more information visit www.printingmuseum.org.
July 20, 2014  -  IMMEDIATE ACTION: Protest for Palestine
Students for Justice in Palestine at UH invites people of conscience in Houston and beyond to join us this Sunday,July 20th to protest Israel's continuous violations of human rights and its current unjustifiable military actions in Gaza. This occupation and the unfathomable destruction it has begotten could not be possible without the blank check our government gives to the Israeli military, making it our responsibility as citizens and residents of this country to raise a voice against this oppression that is funded by our tax dollars.   We intend for this protest to be a peaceful, civil gathering and merely an exercise of our right to petition the government as guaranteed by our Constitution. We ask all participants to adhere to the rules and regulations applicable to an event such as this. Protestors cannot step on private property, and must line up in a single-file fashion along the sidewalk. Police will be present to ensure compliance. All necessary permits have been obtained. We will be gathering at the sidewalk in front of Starbucks. Flags and posters will be brought to the event, but we encourage participants to bring their own if possible. Please use common sense in regards to any slogans printed on your posters. Media will be present. We ask participants to use common sense when answering questions on camera. Talking points will be available from the protest organizers who will be wearing badges. If you do not feel comfortable answering questions, direct the media personnel towards the closest organizer. No individual is allowed to address the gathering without prior approval of the organizers. If you are interested in giving a speech, please email sjphouston@gmail.com, The tides are turning in our favor. The world can no longer turn a blind eye towards the ongoing atrocities committed by the Israeli government. This is our time to rise up and show our commitment to the Palestinian people. We look forward to your presence on Sunday.   Keep Gaza in your thoughts. Free Palestine!     When: Sunday, July 20, 2014 Where: In front of Starbucks on Westheimer (Galleria), 2521 Post Oak Blvd, Houston Time:  3:00pm - 5:00pm   For more info, click here.   If you would like to learn more about our organization, please visit our Facebook page and group:   https://www.facebook.com/SJPUH https://www.facebook.com/groups/1477894849109274/
July 20, 2014  -  Breaking Fast with Muslims
When: Sunday, July 20, 2014 Where: MAS Katy, 1800 Baker Rd, Houston, TX 77094 Time: 6:30pm - 9:30pm    Click here for event flyer.
July 19, 2014  -  Islamic Relief Iftar for Orphans in Gaza
Speakers:   Joe Bradford (Islamic scholar and inspirational speaker)   Fahad Tasleem (motivational speaker)   Contact number & email: 713-560-6680, asyedm@gmail.com   Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1435084283411835/ Ticket Link: www.houstonirusa.eventbrite.com   When: July 19, 2014 Time: 7 pm - 10 pm Location: Raindrop Turkish House, 9301 W. Bellfort St., Houston, TX 77031       Dinner and Babysitting will be provided.   All proceeds raised will go to orphans in Palestine!   Click here for event flyer.
July 19, 2014  -  Clear Lake Ramadan Community Iftar
When: July 19, 2014    Click here for event flyer.
July 15, 2014  -  Houston City Hall Tour
Want to see our city government in action? Join the CAIR-TX team on a tour of Houston City Hall. We will observe a committee session, tour municipal offices and sit in on a public session.   This event, geared toward middle and high school students, offers an opportunity to see first-hand how our municipal government works.   When: July 15, 2014 Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Location: Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002   Tickets are $10 per person. Guests from 6th grade and up are welcome; parents are invited to serve as volunteer chaperones.   For questions, please call the CAIR-TX office at (713)838-2247.   For more info, visit http://cairtexas.com/event/city-of-houston-tour/.
July 12, 2014  -  EMERGENCY PROTEST in front of Israeli Consulate
EMERGENCY PROTEST in front of Israeli Consulate   STOP THE DEADLY STRIKES AGAINST GAZA NOW! Palestinians are being killed and injured by Israeli heavy bombardment.      * Israel's atrocities against innocent civilians must end !    * Stop collective punishment against defenseless families !    * Hold Israel accountable for violations of International Law !    * Stop U.S. tax dollars going to Israel !    When: Saturday, July 12, 2014 Where: Corner of Weslayan and Norfolk St. (near HWY 59) Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm   Click here for event flyer.
July 12, 2014  -  "Houston Iftar" Annual Ramadan Dinner with Mayor Annise Parker
Abu Dhabi, Baku, Istanbul & Karachi Sister City Associations along with all Collaborating Organizations cordially invite you to attend the "Houston Iftar" Annual Ramadan Dinner 2014 with keynote address by Mayor Annise Parker, City of Houston.   When: Saturday, July 12, 2014 Where: Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Road, Houston, TX 77045 Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM    Details:    6:00 p.m. - Doors Open    6:30 p.m. - Program    8:21 p.m. - Iftar and Prayers    8:45 p.m. - Dinner   PARKING IS FREE!   COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS: Alnoor Institue of Islamic Sciences, Al-Iman Youth Arab American Cultural & Community Center, American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI), Bangladesh Association Houston, Bilateral U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce, Council on American Islamic Relations of Houston (CAIR), Clear Lake Islamic Center, Dawoodi Bohra Masjid, Greater Houston Retailer Cooperative Association (GHRA), Hashoo Foundation, House of Charity, His Highness the Aga Khan Council for Southwestern United States, Houston Shifa Services Foundation (HSSF), Ibn Sina Foundation, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, Institute of Interfaith Dialogue (I I D), Indian Muslims Association of Greater Houston, Jama Mecca Masjid-Beechnut, Makah Masjid-Dairy Asford, Muslim Council of USA, Pakistan Chamber of Commerce -USA (PCC-USA), Pakistan Association of Golden Triangle (PAGT), Pakistani American Council of Texas (PACT), Pakistan American Society of Texas (PAST), Raindrop Turkish Center, Risala Foundation, Rupani Foundation, South Asian Chamber of Chamber (SACC), Sun Charity-USA, Sindhi Association of North America (SANA), Tayaba Masjid-Katy Texas, Texas Turkish Chamber of Commerce (TTCC), University of Karachi Alumni Association of Houston    Contact: Houston Iftar Organizing Committee, (281) 948-1840, (713) 480-6566, info@houstoniftar.org   For more information, visit www.houstoniftar.org.
July 11, 2014  -  With Gaza-Palestine We All Stand! DEMONSTRATION
Stop the Israeli deadly strikes against Gaza Now!   When: Friday, July 11, 2014 Where: Corner of Post Oak and Westheimer (Galleria Area), Houston Time: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm    Sponsored by the Palestinian American Council. For more info, visit www.pac-usa.org.   Click here for event flyer.
July 11, 2014  -  1st Annual MAS Islamic Center Interfaith Dinner
When: Friday, July 11, 2014 Where: MAS Islamic Center, 3115 N. Fry Rd., Suite 504, Katy, TX 77449 Time: 7:30 pm    Click here for event flyer.
July 2, 2014  -  Fulfilling Our Social Contract as Muslim Professionals
For next week's MPA event, we are pleased to partner with the Muslim Women's Leadership Forum in bringing Hind Makki, a prominent interfaith educator, to Houston. Her work focuses on civic integration through interfaith action, anti-racism education and youth empowerment. She will discuss the role that Muslim Americans must play in broader society.   The event is being held on Wednesday, July 2nd, at 6.00pm at the Embassy Suites - Energy Corridor, Katy Freeway near Kirkwood. MPA Members can attend this event at no charge & non-members can attend for $25 by registering in advance. Please consider becoming a member at a special rate of just $90 to attend this event and 3 additional events in 2014. To register, visit www.mpahouston.com.   When: Wednesday, July 2, 2014 Time: 6:00pm Location: Embassy Suites - Energy Corridor, Katy Freeway near Kirkwood, 11730 Katy Freeway, Houston, 77079      To reserve a table of 8 for your organization, firm or group, please email services@mpahouston.com.   All Attendees Must Register by July 1st. Register Now!
June 28, 2014  -  Robotics Day at ACC Houston
Click here for more details/flyer.
June 28, 2014  -  Ramadan Begins
For more information, visit www.isgh.org.
June 23, 2014  -  The Path to Peace: American Leadership & the Two State Solution
Speaker: Jeremy Ben-Ami, J-Street   J-Street is an American organization that advocates a two state solution: Israeli and Palestinian states, with separate governments, distinct boundaries, and security guarantees from the United States. Our lecture will include the J-Street position and audience participation. Join us and share your thoughts.   Jeremy Ben-Ami is the founder and President of J Street. Ben-Ami’s family connection to Israel goes back 130 years to the first aliyah when his great-grandparents were among the first settlers in Petah Tikva. His grandparents were one of the founding families of Tel Aviv, and his father was an activist and leader in the Irgun. His political resume includes serving in the mid-1990s as the Deputy Domestic Policy Advisor in the White House to President Bill Clinton and working on seven Presidential and numerous state and local campaigns. He was Howard Dean’s National Policy Director in 2004 and helped manage a Mayoral campaign in New York City in 2001. He was one of 50 “People of the Decade” selected by Ha’aretz, the influential Israeli daily newspaper, and the Jerusalem Post included him in its list of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the world.     When: June 23, 2014 Time: Registration: 6:00 p.m., Program: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas 77027      For more information and/or to register, visit www.wachouston.org.
June 21, 2014  -  Free U.S. Citizenship Workshop
The Arab American Cultural and Community Center in collaboration with Catholic Charities will conduct a U.S. Citizenship workshop on Saturday, June 21st, 2014. The event will be held at the Arab American Cultural and Community Center.   This workshop will help those in the Great Houston area with their naturalization process by providing N-400 application assistance, passport photos, and free application consultation from volunteer attorneys, and study materials to prepare for the naturalization interview.      When: Saturday, June 21, 2014 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Location: Arab American Cultural and Community Center, 10555 StanCliff Rd, Houston 77099   No Walk-ins Will Be Allowed. You MUST be registered prior to the event. To register please call Karen Salcedo at 713-874-6580 or call 713-874-6570.    For more information and volunteer opportunities, please contact the ACC office at (832) 351-3366.   Click here for event flyer.
June 21, 2014  -  World Refugee Day Houston
Houston is Home to 70,000 refugees from 78 different countries! Houston’s diversity, booming economy, and culture are in part a result of refugees who have brought new flavors and zest from their home countries.   We will celebrate refugees’ unrelenting perseverance and positivity on World Refugee Day, Saturday June 21, 2014 at the Raindrop Foundation Turkish House from 3:00-7:00pm. The day will be filled with cultural entertainment, children’s activities, and educational exhibits. Bring the whole family to this free, fun, and educational event!       When: Saturday, June 21, 2014 Time: 3:00 – 7:00pm Location: Raindrop Foundation Turkish House, 9301 W Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77031   This is a FREE and family friendly event open to the public.   Event Flyer:  English  Arabic   For more information, visit http://worldrefugeedayhouston.org/.
June 14, 2014  -  Faith in Freedom: CAIR Texas Annual Banquet
Please join CAIR-TX friends and supporters at our annual banquet.   Keynote Speaker: UT-Austin professor Dr. Denise Spellberg, scholar of Islamic civilization and Islam in America and Europe and author of the recently published "Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an: Islam and the Founders".   We will also have a special message from CAIR national staff and our own Houston staff.    Saturday, June 14, 2014 Time: 6 pm - 9 pm Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2712 Southwest Fwy., Houston, TX 77098   We will serve a halal dinner. Babysitting is free with advance ticket purchase.   Individual Ticket $50 Table of 10: $500 Register today!        For more information, visit www.cairtexas.com.
June 11, 2014  -  Tunisia: The Arab Awakening’s Best Chance for Democracy?
Young Professionals - Tunisia: The Arab Awakening’s Best Chance for Democracy? Hatem Goucha, Bechtel Corp.   June 11, 2014 Time: Registration & Food: 6:30 - 7:15pm, Program: 7:15 - 8:30pm Location: BlackFinn Grille, 1910 Bagby, Houston, Texas 77002          For more information and/or to register, visit www.wachouston.org.
June 7-July 27, 2014  -  ACC Arabic School Summer Camp
The Arab American Cultural and Community Center of Houston ACC Arabic School Summer Camp 2014   The ACC Arabic School will host an 8 week summer camp program every Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 PM beginning June 7th and ending July 26th, 2014.   During the course of the program, students will be immersed in the language and culture in a relaxing and comfortable learning environment. Activities include a museum field trip, Arabic language courses for adults, Robotic Camp, as well as arts & crafts.   Pricing for the program: Adults: $200 per person Children: $200 1st child, $180 2nd child, subsequent children. Prices include Field Trip and Robolab Camp To register, please email school@acchouston.org or contact the office by phone at 832-351-3366.   Click here for flyer.
June 5, 2014  -  Lawrence in Arabia: Imperial Ambitions & the Making of the Modern Middle East
Speaker: Scott Anderson, Author & Journalist   T.E. Lawrence, one of the most intriguing figures of 20th-century warfare, played a key role in the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Turks during World War I. While millions were dying in European trenches, the Western powers paid little attention to the developments in the Middle East. As a result, Lawrence and a small handful of adventurers and low-level officers were able to shape events far away from the centers of power. Writer Scott Anderson’s narrative of this period is a guide to understanding the modern Middle East.   Scott Anderson is a veteran war correspondent who has reported from Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Northern Ireland, Chechnya, Sudan, Bosnia, El Salvador and many other strife-torn countries. A contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine, his work has also appeared in Vanity Fair, Esquire, Harper's and Outside. He is the author Moonlight Hotel and Triage and of non-fiction books The Man Who Tried to Save the World and The 4 O'Clock Murders, and co-author of War Zones and Inside The League with his brother Jon Lee Anderson.   His book Lawrence In Arabia: War, Deceit, Imperial Folly and the Making of the Modern Middle East will be available for sale and signing at the program.      When: June 6, 2014 Time: Registration: 6:00 p.m., Program: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas 77027      For more information and/or to register, visit www.wachouston.org.
May 9-24, 2014  -  8th Annual Houston Palestine Film Festival
May 9 and 10:  Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) May 16, 17 and 24:  Rice Media Center    May 9    Omar 7:00 pm MFAH Brown Auditorium Theater   May 10    Under the Same Sun, The Dance 7:00 pm MFAH Brown Auditorium Theater   May 16    Shorts Night: Gaza 36mm, Tarzan and Arab, Xenos, The Dance 7:00 pm Rice Cinema   May 17    May in the Summer 7:00 pm Rice Cinema   May 24    Under the Same Sun 3:00 pm Rice Cinema    A World Not Ours, Xenos 5:00 pm Rice Cinema    Omar 7:00 pm Rice Cinema     The screenings at Rice will be followed by a reception featuring Palestinian crafts, food and music.   The Houston Palestine Film Festival is made possible in part by a grant from the Houston Arts Alliance. For more information, visit www.hpff.org.
May 21, 2014  -  Syria and the Broader Middle East: The View from Qatar
Speaker: H.E. Mohammed Al Kuwari, Ambassador of Qatar to the U.S.   Qatar has been an important ally of the United States since the mid-1990s, and currently serves as host to critical U.S. military facilities. In June 2013, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani abdicated in favor of his son Tamim bin Hamad, who now leads a nation that was transformed under his father's tenure. Today, Qatar is an independent regional power with substantial resources and a global impact.   Ambassador Al Kuwari will discuss Qatar’s vision for the future, as well as its pivotal role in the Arab spring and the Syrian conflict.   H.E. Mohammed Al Kuwari is the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States. He previously served as Qatar’s Ambassador to France and as non-resident Ambassador to Monaco and Portugal. As Director of European and American Affairs, Al Kuwari headed the delegation of the Qatari political and strategic dialogue with France. He has received numerous acknowledgements and awards for his service including the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor of France and the medal of cooperation from the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2007, the President of France presented Al Kuwari with an officer badge of the Legion of Honor, the highest decoration in France.    When: May 21, 2014 Time: Registration: 6:00 p.m., Program: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas 77027      For more information and/or to register, visit www.wachouston.org.
May 18, 2014  -  5th Annual Palestine Day - Family Picnic
The Palestinian American Council will hold a Palestine Family Picnic. Food and Refreshments will be available. This will be a great day of fun for the entire family.     When: Sunday, May 18, 2014 Time: 2:00 pm - 8:00 p.m. Location: Arab American Cultural and Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, 77099   For more information, visit www.pac-usa.org.   Click here for event flyer.
May 17, 2014  -  10th National Arab American Service Day: Walk for Wellness
Arab American Cultural and Community Center to celebrate the Arab American 10th National Service Day and in collaboration with Spring Branch Community Health Center   Come and join the ACC Team for FREE (Limited tickets available) WALK FOR WELLNESS   When: Saturday, May 17, 2014 Time: Starting at 8:00 AM Location: Terry Hershey Park   The goal of the Walk for Wellness is to raise awareness and educate the public about the chronic health issues related to diabetes and obesity that are affecting the community.   By supporting the Walk for Wellness you will demonstrate to the community your commitment to improving the lives of those living with chronic health issues.   100% of the proceeds will go towards Adult Diabetic Clinic and Pediatric Health and Fitness Programs.   For any questions please call 832-351-3366.
May 15-18, 2014  -  Houston Greekfest 2014
Enjoy a Taste of Greek Culture in the Bayou City!   Thursday, May 15th: 4:00pm -9:00pm $3 for Adults & FREE for children 10 & under   Friday, May 16th: 11:00am - 2:00 pm - Free Admission 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm $3 for Adults & FREE for children 10 & under   Saturday, May 17th: 11:00am -10:00pm - $3 for Adults & FREE for children 10 & under   Sunday, May 18th: 11:00am - 6:00pm - $3 for Adults & FREE for children 10 & under   Parking Available on the festival grounds for $5. Free parking is available on public streets at a first come - first serve basis.   FREE Tickets! Get them here! Download the 2014 Stage Schedule!          For more information, visit www.houstongreekfest.com.
May 15, 2014  -  Mother's Day Celebration at the ACC
Arab American Cultural and Community Center Ladies Group Cordially invites you to A Fun Mother’s Day Celebration Event.   When: Thursday, May 15, 2014 Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Location: Arab American Cultural and Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, 77099   Please join us to celebrate Mother’s Day with fun Games, Music and Dance.   Bring a gift not to exceed $10.00 for gift exchange Bring a dish to share Bring your baby picture   Balloons, face painting, and games activities for your kids   Happy Mother's Day! For any questions please call 832-351-3366.
May 9, 2014  -  Reporting From the Front Line: The Middle East and The Challenge To Tell The Truth by Robert Fisk
Reporting From the Front Line The Middle East and The Challenge To Tell The Truth   Robert Fisk, Middle East Correspondent for The Independent   An examination of the conflicts now tearing apart the Arab world and the way in which journalism and governments frame our misunderstanding of it. How can we learn from the unwritten story of the region -- and predict its future?   When: May 9, 2014 Time: 6:30 P.M. Location: BioScience Research Collaborative, Rice University, 6500 Main Street, Houston Paid visitor parking is located in the underground garage, off Dryden Road Seating is limited. To RSVP, please visit www.theaaef.org.    Sponsored by the Arab-American Educational Foundation in collaboration with the Humanities Research Center. Click here for event flyer.
May 4, 2014  -  ACC Community Spring Picnic
Arab American Cultural & Community Center (ACC) Celebrates The National Arab Heritage Month. Come Join the ACC for our Annual Family Picnic.   When: Sunday, May 4, 2014 Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: ACC, 10555 Stancliff Road, Houston, Texas 77099   Entertainment by Youssef Al Maghribi   Delicious Arabic Food Games (Basketball, Soccer) Kids activities (Moonwalks, Face painting, Games) And more   Food and Arguila for purchase Bring Your Family to Enjoy Fun Day with the Community!   For more information, please call the ACC office at: (832) 351-3366 or send an email to: webmaster@acchouston.org.
May 3, 2014  -  “Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Think”
Unity PeaceMakers present, “Inside Islam: What do a Billion Muslims Really Think”      Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think reveals the answers that become a window into the hearts and minds of ordinary Muslims across the world discovered by Gallup, the preeminent polling organization. The film explores issues such as Gender, Prejudice, Terrorism, and Democracy and challenges the popular notion that Muslims and the West are on a collision course. Like the research, the film highlights shared relationships that is based on facts—not fear.   A panel composed of UH professors, an Imam and every day Muslims will be on hand to answer your questions.   When: Saturday, May 3, 2014 Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: Unity Church, 2929 Unity Drive, Houston, TX 77057   For more information, visit http://unityhouston.org/event/inside-islam-what-do-a-billion-muslims-really-think/.
March 15-April 27, 2014  -  FotoFest 2014 International Biennial: Contemporary Arab Photographic Art
The FotoFest 2014 Biennial will focus on Contemporary Arab Photographic Art, including video and multi-media installations. The Biennial will showcase more than 40 contemporary Arab artists using photography and related visual media to address a broad range of aesthetic and cultural values impacting Arab culture.   The FotoFest 2014 Biennial will present a focused selection of the best contemporary photography, video and photo-based installation art being done by Arab artists in the Middle East and North Africa. It will emphasize ideas and subjects important to contemporary Arab artists working with these media.   The FotoFest 2014 Biennial will be the first presentation of contemporary photo-based and video art from the Arab countries to be done in the United States in recent years. We are looking at the work of the most important artists from several Arab countries.       Click here for press release or visit www.fotofest.org/2014biennial for more details.   Click here for a full list of FotFest Exhibitions and Events.
April 26-27, 2014  -  Egyptian Festival
Fun for the whole family. Enjoy delicious food and deserts.    petting zoo donkey rides face painting and more...    When: Saturday-Sunday, April 26-27, 2014 Time: 11 am - 4 pm Location: Bellaire Recreational Park, 7008 5th street, Bellaire, TX 77401    Click here for event flyer.
April 26, 2014  -  Houston Peace Festival 2014
HPJC and Live Oaks Friends will have a day of fun, celebration, information, and networking with local and national organizations whose work to improve the community and world aligns with the principles and values of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Equality, and Community.   The festival will include Caribbean rock/blues, pop rock, hip-hop, eclectic, Spanish rock, and African fusion artists. Join us for:     -  Live Music   -  Dance Performances   -  Food   -  Kids Activities   -  Arts and Crafts   When: Saturday, April 26, 2014 Time: 12:30pm - 7:30pm    For more information, visit www.hpjc.org.
April 25 & 26, 2014  -  "THE SQUARE (AL MIDAN)" Film Screening
MFAH FILMS ARAB WORLDS   Fotofest in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston   THE SQUARE (AL MIDAN) Directed by Jehane Noujaim (Egypt/USA, 2013, 95 min., in Arabic and English with English subtitles)   Friday-Saturday, April 25–26, 7:00 p.m. Brown Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet, Houston 77005   The filmmaker and her crew spent 20 months shooting in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, starting with the 2011 uprising against former president Hosni Mubarak. Filmed from the perspectives of six activists, a gripping, vivid portrait of events emerges. After premiering at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, the filmmakers continued filming in Egypt, with the new version described as “cinema catching up with history-in-the-making.” The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature.     Click here for more details.
April 24, 2014  -  International Conference on Gender and Human Rights in the Middle East: The Evolving Roles of Women in the Arab World
The Women and Human Rights in the Middle East Program at Rice University’s Baker Institute is hosting its first International Conference on Gender and Human Rights in the Middle East. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is undergoing a major transformation not only at the political level but also — and most importantly — on societal and ideological levels. This conference aims to ignite discussion about the roles of Arab women in the political, economic and private spheres, and to shed light on the evolution of these roles over the past few decades. A cross-disciplinary dialogue, guided by leading scholars and policymakers in the field, will investigate topics ranging from citizenship to domestic violence across the region. The conference will provide practical and specific policy prescriptions guided by a balanced, multifaceted perspective on gender relations in the Middle East.   When: Thursday, April 24, 2014 Time: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm Location: James A. Baker III Hall, Rice University   For more information, click here.
April 24, 2014  -  Turning Dialogue Into Action: UNICEF's Response to the Syrian Conflict
Hosted by the John Cooper School and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.   Lynn Stratford, Senior Vice President of Program and Community Engagement at the U.S. Fund, will discuss the lifesaving work UNICEF does for children globally, the Syrian conflict, UNICEF’s involvement in emergencies, and how youth can take action in their communities to advocate for children around the world through various domestic initiatives.   After the presentation, there will be a Q&A session followed by a reception with refreshments provided by students of the John Cooper School. This event will provide students an opportunity to network with other likeminded students and learn about upcoming volunteer and internship opportunities with UNICEF.   The event is free and open to the public!    When: Thursday, April 24, 2014 Time: 7 pm Location: Lower School Multipurpose Room at the John Cooper School (One John Cooper Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77381   To RSVP, contact Meena Haque at mhaque@unicefusa.org.   Click here for event flyer.
April 18 & 20, 2014  -  "WADJDA" Film Screening
MFAH FILMS ARAB WORLDS   Fotofest in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston   WADJDA Directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour (Saudi Arabia, 2012, 98 min., in Arabic with English subtitles)   Friday, April 18, 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 20, 5:00 p.m. Brown Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet, Houston 77005   The first Saudi Arabian feature film shot by a woman (who directed her crew from inside a van with a walkie-talkie), Wadjda features a girl who desperately wants to buy a forbidden bicycle in order to beat a boy in a race. Wadjda schemes to raise the money herself by entering a contest to recite verses from the Koran. An inspiring coming-of-age story from a part of the world with which Western audiences are largely unfamiliar.   Click here for more details.
April 19, 2014  -  "THE ATTACK" Film Screening
MFAH FILMS ARAB WORLDS   Fotofest in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston   THE ATTACK Directed by Ziad Doueiri (Lebanon/France/Qatar, 2012, 102 min., in Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles)   Saturday, April 19, 7:00 p.m. Brown Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet, Houston 77005   An Arab surgeon in Tel Aviv with a promising career discovers that his beloved wife, Siham (Reymond Amsalem), is not just a victim of a suicide bombing, but is the primary suspect. The doctor, determined to understand her secret life, heads to the West Bank where he is devastated to learn the motivations for her actions.    Click here for more details.
April 17, 2014  -  An Uncertain Road: Muslim Integration into Europe and the U.S.
Speaker: Mehdi Hasan, Huffington Post UK   Driven by rising immigration and high birth rates, the number of Muslims in Europe has tripled in the last 30 years; Islam remains the continent’s fastest-growing religion. But is there a clash between core Muslim beliefs and liberal, European values? How can Muslim communities across the continent better integrate into society? What lessons, if any, can be learned from the United States? Award-winning commentator, author, and political director of the Huffington Post UK, Mehdi Hasan, will be answering these questions and challenging our assumptions and myths about Islam and the West.   Mehdi Hasan is the political director of the Huffington Post UK and one of Britain's best-known political and social commentators. A graduate of Oxford University, Mehdi has worked in both the television (BBC, Sky News) and print (Guardian, New Statesman) media. He is the author of two books - a biography of Labour Party leader Ed Miliband and an e-book on the financial crisis. Mehdi also presents "Head To Head" on Al Jazeera English, where his recent interviewees have included scientist Richard Dawkins, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman.     When: April 17, 2014 Time: 6:30 - 7:30p.m Location: The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oak Lane, Houston, Texas 77027      For more information and/or to register, visit www.wachouston.org.
April 16, 2014  -  Poetry and Music with Dr. Fady Joudah and Rahim Alhaj in partnership with FotoFest
In our attempt to raise the visibility of our heritage by showcasing the diversity of artistic talent in our midst, and to foster a greater understanding of Arab culture within our multi-cultural Houston community, the Arab American Cultural and Community Center in partnership with several Arab American Organizations, and in celebration of April as The National Arab Heritage Month, is proud to announce the upcoming 2014 Arab American Heritage Month. This year’s event will coincide with FotoFest 2014 Biennial, highlighting the works of 49 contemporary Arab Photographers and visual artists.   The Heritage month will include an exhibition featuring contemporary Arab artists working in a variety of media. We are proud to exhibit the works of seven artists including internationally-exhibited Syrian photographer Sueraya Shaheen and Iraqi artist Nazar Yahya, both of whom have works in major public and private collections worldwide. We are also proud to support local talents Fikri Boutros, Walid Zoueri, Awara Sallam, Mohamad Shehab, Hoda El Senoussi Saleh, and Mohamad Barro. The 2014 Heritage month will include a book signing event with award-winning poet Dr. Fady Joudah and History professor Dr. Ussama Makdissi of Rice University and the screening of the film “The Muslims Are Coming” by Dean Obeidallah.   Events Schedule April 1st - 7:30 PM Location: ACC Fotofest Artist Reception and Round-table Discussion April 3rd - 7:30 PM Location: BeHuman Gallery (Exhibit to end on April 8th, 2014) Art Exhibit "Houston: Home to Contemporary Artists from the Arab World" April 8th - 7:30 PM Location: BeHuman Gallery Book Signing by Professor Ussama Makdisi and poet Dr. Fady Joudah April 14th - 7:30 PM Location: University of Houston - University Center “The Muslims Are Coming” Screening at the University of Houston in partnership with Houston Palestine Film Festival and UH Arab Student Union April 16th- 7:30 PM Location: Rothko Chapel Poetry and Music - with Dr. Fady Joudah and Rahim Alhaj in partnership with FotoFest April 27th - 2:00 PM Location: ACC Community Picnic in partnership with Houston Arab American Organizations For more information, please call the ACC office at: (832) 351-3366   Click here for event flyer.
April 14, 2014  -  “The Muslims Are Coming” Screening at UH
In our attempt to raise the visibility of our heritage by showcasing the diversity of artistic talent in our midst, and to foster a greater understanding of Arab culture within our multi-cultural Houston community, the Arab American Cultural and Community Center in partnership with several Arab American Organizations, and in celebration of April as The National Arab Heritage Month, is proud to announce the upcoming 2014 Arab American Heritage Month. This year’s event will coincide with FotoFest 2014 Biennial, highlighting the works of 49 contemporary Arab Photographers and visual artists.   The Heritage month will include an exhibition featuring contemporary Arab artists working in a variety of media. We are proud to exhibit the works of seven artists including internationally-exhibited Syrian photographer Sueraya Shaheen and Iraqi artist Nazar Yahya, both of whom have works in major public and private collections worldwide. We are also proud to support local talents Fikri Boutros, Walid Zoueri, Awara Sallam, Mohamad Shehab, Hoda El Senoussi Saleh, and Mohamad Barro. The 2014 Heritage month will include a book signing event with award-winning poet Dr. Fady Joudah and History professor Dr. Ussama Makdissi of Rice University and the screening of the film “The Muslims Are Coming” by Dean Obeidallah.   Events Schedule April 1st - 7:30 PM Location: ACC Fotofest Artist Reception and Round-table Discussion April 3rd - 7:30 PM Location: BeHuman Gallery (Exhibit to end on April 8th, 2014) Art Exhibit "Houston: Home to Contemporary Artists from the Arab World" April 8th - 7:30 PM Location: BeHuman Gallery Book Signing by Professor Ussama Makdisi and poet Dr. Fady Joudah April 14th - 7:30 PM Location: University of Houston - University Center “The Muslims Are Coming” Screening at the University of Houston in partnership with Houston Palestine Film Festival and UH Arab Student Union April 16th- 7:30 PM Location: Rothko Chapel Poetry and Music - with Dr. Fady Joudah and Rahim Alhaj in partnership with FotoFest April 27th - 2:00 PM Location: ACC Community Picnic in partnership with Houston Arab American Organizations For more information, please call the ACC office at: (832) 351-3366   Click here for event flyer.
April 13, 2014  -  Iman Academy 18th Annual Gala
Iman Academy will hold its annual Fundraising Gala under the theme “Continuing the Journey”.   The guest speakers will be Shaikh Abdelraoof Alkhawaldeh, Shaikh Waleed Basyouni and Imam Wazir Ali.   When:  Sunday, April 13, 2014 Time:  3:00 pm Location:  Crowne Plaza Hotel, 8686 Kirby Drive, TX 77054 (Across from Reliant Stadium)    Tickets: $25 per person, $50 per family. Babysitting available   Click here for event flyer, or visit www.imanacademy.org.
April 12, 2014  -  ACC Arabic School Spring Celebration & Open House Event
Join the Arab American Cultural and Community Center for an opportunity to visit its Arabic School and for fun activities for kids of all ages.   Face Painting, Egg Hunting, Moonwalk, and more...   When: Saturday, April 12, 2014 Time: 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.    FREE ADMISSION OPEN TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY   For any inquiries: 832-351-3366
April 12, 2014  -  Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium
2014 Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS) When: April 12, 2014 Location: Keck Center, Rice University, Houston   Please contact us at (713) 838-2247 or at aalaswad@cair.com if you have any questions.   For more information and/or to register, visit http://mylshouston.wordpress.com/.
April 10, 2014  -  Local Courage, Global Impact: The Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela
Ebrahim Rasool Ambassador of South Africa to the U.S.   April 2014 marks the twenty-year anniversary of the election of Nelson Mandela, the end of the apartheid, and the beginning of modern South Africa. Although the country has made great progress, its well-organized civil society may not be enough to secure equal opportunity and the prosperity that was Mandela's dream. Will South Africa continue its revolution, end the security apparatus, reform the economy, and, above all, strengthen its democracy?   His Excellency Ebrahim Rasool will discuss Mandela's life and legacy, the accomplishments of post-apartheid South Africa, and the challenges that remain. Ebrahim Rasool is the Ambassador of South Africa to the United States. He has served in the National Assembly, as special advisor to the President of South Africa, and as the premier of the Western Cape province. Ambassador Rasool had been active in the anti-apartheid movement since high school, eventually assuming leadership roles in the United Democratic Front and the African National Congress.   When: April 10, 2014 Time: 6:30 - 7:30p.m Location: The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oak Lane, Houston, Texas 77027       For more information and/or to register, visit www.wachouston.org.
April 8, 2014  -  Book Signing by Professor Ussama Makdisi and Poet Dr. Fady Joudah
In our attempt to raise the visibility of our heritage by showcasing the diversity of artistic talent in our midst, and to foster a greater understanding of Arab culture within our multi-cultural Houston community, the Arab American Cultural and Community Center in partnership with several Arab American Organizations, and in celebration of April as The National Arab Heritage Month, is proud to announce the upcoming 2014 Arab American Heritage Month. This year’s event will coincide with FotoFest 2014 Biennial, highlighting the works of 49 contemporary Arab Photographers and visual artists.   The Heritage month will include an exhibition featuring contemporary Arab artists working in a variety of media. We are proud to exhibit the works of seven artists including internationally-exhibited Syrian photographer Sueraya Shaheen and Iraqi artist Nazar Yahya, both of whom have works in major public and private collections worldwide. We are also proud to support local talents Fikri Boutros, Walid Zoueri, Awara Sallam, Mohamad Shehab, Hoda El Senoussi Saleh, and Mohamad Barro. The 2014 Heritage month will include a book signing event with award-winning poet Dr. Fady Joudah and History professor Dr. Ussama Makdissi of Rice University and the screening of the film “The Muslims Are Coming” by Dean Obeidallah.   Events Schedule April 1st - 7:30 PM Location: ACC Fotofest Artist Reception and Round-table Discussion April 3rd - 7:30 PM Location: BeHuman Gallery (Exhibit to end on April 8th, 2014) Art Exhibit "Houston: Home to Contemporary Artists from the Arab World" April 8th - 7:30 PM Location: BeHuman Gallery Book Signing by Professor Ussama Makdisi and poet Dr. Fady Joudah April 14th - 7:30 PM Location: University of Houston - University Center “The Muslims Are Coming” Screening at the University of Houston in partnership with Houston Palestine Film Festival and UH Arab Student Union April 16th- 7:30 PM Location: Rothko Chapel Poetry and Music - with Dr. Fady Joudah and Rahim Alhaj in partnership with FotoFest April 27th - 2:00 PM Location: ACC Community Picnic in partnership with Houston Arab American Organizations For more information, please call the ACC office at: (832) 351-3366   Click here for event flyer.
April 5, 2014  -  Peacemaking in Palestine at the Pax Christi Texas 2014 Conference
Christian Peacemaker Teams: Peacemaking in Palestine at the Pax Christi Texas 2014 Conference   Bob Holmes CSB, will talk on the often dangerous work of Peacemaking in Palestine. Bob is a Catholic priest of the Congregation of St. Basil. He is the Basilian Coordinator for Social Justice Concerns and is active with the Toronto Catholic Worker. Bob trained with the Christian Peacemaker Teams and served as full-time CPTer in Canada, Israel/Palestine, Chiapas, Vieques, Colombia and Iraq. He makes his home in Toronto, Canada. CPT Palestine is a faith-based organization which works with Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers create justice and peace in Palestine. All welcome.   When: Saturday, April 5, 2014 Time: 8:30am - 4:30pm Location: Dominican Center for Spirituality, 6501 Almeda, Houston, Texas 77021   For more information, visit www.paxchristitexas.org.
April 3, 2014  -  Art Exhibit "Houston: Home to Contemporary Artists from the Arab World"
In our attempt to raise the visibility of our heritage by showcasing the diversity of artistic talent in our midst, and to foster a greater understanding of Arab culture within our multi-cultural Houston community, the Arab American Cultural and Community Center in partnership with several Arab American Organizations, and in celebration of April as The National Arab Heritage Month, is proud to announce the upcoming 2014 Arab American Heritage Month. This year’s event will coincide with FotoFest 2014 Biennial, highlighting the works of 49 contemporary Arab Photographers and visual artists.   The Heritage month will include an exhibition featuring contemporary Arab artists working in a variety of media. We are proud to exhibit the works of seven artists including internationally-exhibited Syrian photographer Sueraya Shaheen and Iraqi artist Nazar Yahya, both of whom have works in major public and private collections worldwide. We are also proud to support local talents Fikri Boutros, Walid Zoueri, Awara Sallam, Mohamad Shehab, Hoda El Senoussi Saleh, and Mohamad Barro. The 2014 Heritage month will include a book signing event with award-winning poet Dr. Fady Joudah and History professor Dr. Ussama Makdissi of Rice University and the screening of the film “The Muslims Are Coming” by Dean Obeidallah.   Events Schedule April 1st - 7:30 PM Location: ACC Fotofest Artist Reception and Round-table Discussion April 3rd - 7:30 PM Location: BeHuman Gallery (Exhibit to end on April 8th, 2014) Art Exhibit "Houston: Home to Contemporary Artists from the Arab World" April 8th - 7:30 PM Location: BeHuman Gallery Book Signing by Professor Ussama Makdisi and poet Dr. Fady Joudah April 14th - 7:30 PM Location: University of Houston - University Center “The Muslims Are Coming” Screening at the University of Houston in partnership with Houston Palestine Film Festival and UH Arab Student Union April 16th- 7:30 PM Location: Rothko Chapel Poetry and Music - with Dr. Fady Joudah and Rahim Alhaj in partnership with FotoFest April 27th - 2:00 PM Location: ACC Community Picnic in partnership with Houston Arab American Organizations For more information, please call the ACC office at: (832) 351-3366   Click here for event flyer.
April 2, 2014  -  [FotoFest] Symposium on exploring contemporary politics, the rise of sectarianism across the region, and the phenomena of “Arabaphobia”
Co-sponsored by FotoFest, Rice University‘s Humanities Research Center, and the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy. Organized with Dr. Ussama Makdisi, Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies at Rice University, and Fares el-Dahdah, Director of the Humanities Research Center at Rice University.   Speakers include Dr. Melani McAlister, Associate Professor of American Studies, International Affairs, and Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., a scholar on U.S. Christians’ reactions to Arabs; Houston-based, Palestinian-American poet Fady Joudah; and featured artists from FotoFest's Biennial exhibitions.   Click here for press release or visit www.fotofest.org/2014biennial for more details.   Click here for a full list of FotFest Exhibitions and Events.
April 1, 2014  -  ACC Celebrates The National Arab Heritage Month-A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
ACC Celebrates The National Arab Heritage Month A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION AND RECEPTION WITH FOTOFEST ARTISTS   When: April 1, 2014 Time: 7:00 PM Location: ACC, 10555 Stancliff Road, Houston, Texas 77099   In celebration of April as The National Arab American Heritage Month, The Arab American Cultural and Community Center of Houston (ACC), cordially invites you to a special event marking the beginning of a month-long festivities:   A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION AND RECEPTION WITH FOTOFEST ARTISTS   Opening Remarks and Introduction: Rudeina A. Baasiri Moderator: M. Waleed Gaber   Roundtable Participants:   Sama Alshaibi Associate Professor- The University of Arizona Iraqi-born artist, Alshaibi negotiates spaces of conflict in her artwork such as the aftermath of war and exile. Her practice is primarily based in photography, video/object hybrids, multimedia installations and sculpture. Alshaibi was awarded two national teaching awards and the title of University of Arizona 1885 Distinguished Scholar. She has also exhibited in over ten solo exhibitions. Her group exhibitions include the 55th Venice Biennial (Maldives Pavilion, 2013), #COMETOGEHER: Edge of Arabia- London (2012), Come Visit Us, You’ll Strike Gold- Vienna (2012), and The Changing Room- Turin and London (2011 and 2012).   Khaled Hafez Cairo-born Egyptian artist, Hafez gave up a medical practice for a career in the arts. His work spans the mediums of painting, video, photography, installation and interdisciplinary approaches. He has exhibited in 21 solo exhibitions and have participated in several international group exhibitions. His work was shown at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Roskilde, Denmark, The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, NY, Centre George Pompidou, Paris, France, and Saatchi Gallery, London, UK, to name a few. His awards include a Fulbright Fellowship in 2005 and The Rockefeller Bellagio Fellowship in 2009.   Steve Sabella Jerusalem-born artist and Berlin-resident, Steve puts shape and form to the emotions and psychic experiences of “exile.” His artworks have been collected by the British Museum in London, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, Ars Aevi museum in Sarajevo and leading collectors in the Middle East including Cuadro Fine Art in Dubai, Salsali Private Museum and Barjeel Art Foundation in Sharjah. In 2008 Sabella was awarded Ellen Auerbach Award by the Akademie der Künste in Berlin.   Stephen Stapleton British artist, curator and co- founder of Edge of Arabia, an independent arts initiative and an internationally recognized platform for dialogue and exchange between the Middle East and western world. Edge of Arabia attempts to develop the appreciation of contemporary Arab art and culture with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia. In 2012, Stephen curated #COMETOGEHER, an ambitious exhibition in East London that featured large-scale, multi-media work by thirty established and emerging Arab and Islamic World artists.   For more information, please call the ACC office at: (832) 351-3366 or send an email to: heritagemonth@acchouston.org.
April 1, 2014  -  Fotofest Artist Reception and Round-table Discussion
In our attempt to raise the visibility of our heritage by showcasing the diversity of artistic talent in our midst, and to foster a greater understanding of Arab culture within our multi-cultural Houston community, the Arab American Cultural and Community Center in partnership with several Arab American Organizations, and in celebration of April as The National Arab Heritage Month, is proud to announce the upcoming 2014 Arab American Heritage Month. This year’s event will coincide with FotoFest 2014 Biennial, highlighting the works of 49 contemporary Arab Photographers and visual artists.   The Heritage month will include an exhibition featuring contemporary Arab artists working in a variety of media. We are proud to exhibit the works of seven artists including internationally-exhibited Syrian photographer Sueraya Shaheen and Iraqi artist Nazar Yahya, both of whom have works in major public and private collections worldwide. We are also proud to support local talents Fikri Boutros, Walid Zoueri, Awara Sallam, Mohamad Shehab, Hoda El Senoussi Saleh, and Mohamad Barro. The 2014 Heritage month will include a book signing event with award-winning poet Dr. Fady Joudah and History professor Dr. Ussama Makdissi of Rice University and the screening of the film “The Muslims Are Coming” by Dean Obeidallah.   Events Schedule April 1st - 7:00 PM Location: ACC Fotofest Artist Reception and Round-table Discussion April 3rd - 7:30 PM Location: BeHuman Gallery (Exhibit to end on April 8th, 2014) Art Exhibit "Houston: Home to Contemporary Artists from the Arab World" April 8th - 7:30 PM Location: BeHuman Gallery Book Signing by Professor Ussama Makdisi and poet Dr. Fady Joudah April 14th - 7:30 PM Location: University of Houston - University Center “The Muslims Are Coming” Screening at the University of Houston in partnership with Houston Palestine Film Festival and UH Arab Student Union April 16th- 7:30 PM Location: Rothko Chapel Poetry and Music - with Dr. Fady Joudah and Rahim Alhaj in partnership with FotoFest April 27th - 2:00 PM Location: ACC Community Picnic in partnership with Houston Arab American Organizations For more information, please call the ACC office at: (832) 351-3366   Click here for event flyer.
March 30, 2014  -  Muslimah Unity Event
Join us for an inclusive Muslimah gathering aimed at promoting solidarity and uplifting our role as members of this great Ummah.   Please inform us if you would like to volunteer or make any other form of contribution. Booking is available to vendors for our mini bazaar (female owned businesses preferred).   When: March 30, 2014 Time: 10 AM - 12 PM Location:   ALL FORMS OF CONTACT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: MUSLIMAHSOLIDARITY@GMAIL.COM OR FACEBOOK AT MUSLIMAH UNITY EVENT.   Click here for event flyer.
March 29-30, 2014  -  The 4th Annual Houston Palestinian Festival
The 4th Houston Palestinian Festival Presented by PACC, The Palestinian American Cultural Center will take place on March 29 & 30. Great food, great fun of folkloric and contemporary art and music. It is a wonderful event where there is something for everyone. Have a taste of healthy Palestinian Cuisine Enjoy and dance to the rhythm of the live Palestinian folkloric music and songs Shop at the live Bazaar from Jerusalem and Bethlehem with Palestinian art, craft and products Enjoy the Palestinian Art exhibit with top local and national artists Enjoy the art of the Palestinian embroidery at the traditional dress show. Be part of a real wedding that will take you back to the streets of the Palestinian village. Live the Palestinian traditional and modern kids games Great gathering for families, youth, scholars, and all Americans to live, taste, and breathe the Holy Land in downtown Houston. When: Saturday & Sunday, March 29-30, 2014 Location:  Jones Plaza, 600 Louisiana, Houston, TX 77002    Tickets will be sold at the entrance Saturday: 1:00pm to 10:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm to 9:00pm      Our Mission: The mission of Houston Palestinian Festival is to share and educate the culture and heritage of the Palestinian people within the Houston community and the US and to provide a form of celebration unity and entertainment to the community at large. Come join us for an unforgettable event.     For more information, visit www.pacchouston.org.   Click here for festival flyer.
March 18, 22, 26 and 30, 2014  -  [FotoFest] Artist-Curator Dialogues: Four Conversations on Arab Art
Conversations between featured Arab artists and regional curators and scholars from the Houston area. The free Artist-Curator Dialogues are organized in conjunction with the FotoFest Meeting Place Portfolio Review and precede the four Evenings with the Artists Open Portfolio Evenings.   When: March 18, 22, 26 and 30, 2014 Location: Doubletree Hotel by Hilton, Houston Downtown with the FotoFest Meeting Place Portfolio Review   Click here for press release or visit www.fotofest.org/2014biennial for more details.   Click here for a full list of FotFest Exhibitions and Events.
March 29, 2014  -  Iman Academy Job Fair
INTERVIEWING FOR ALL POSITIONS: INCLUDING ADMINISTRATION, CHILD CARE, ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL. MULTIPLE LOCATIONS   When: Saturday, March 29, 2014 Time: From 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Location: Hilton Americas-Houston, 1600 Lamar Street, Houston, TX 77010 Room # 340A & 340B   Click here for event flyer, or visit www.imanacademy.org.
March 29, 2014  -  [FotoFest] Conference on the History & Practice of Contemporary Art in the Middle East
FotoFest is sponsoring a series of lectures, conferences, symposia, and films with the participation of more than 25 prominent Arab scholars, artists, critics, and arts administrators.   On Saturday, March 29, 2014, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Museum’s Arts of the Islamic World Initiative join FotoFest to present a day-long conference on the history and practice of contemporary art in the Middle East. The Biennial’s principal curator, Karin Adrian von Roques, will participate in the March conference along with artists and arts professionals from the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the U.S.   When: Saturday March 29, 2014 Time: 10am - 5pm Location: Brown Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts, 1001 Bissonnet, Houston, 77005   Morning - Introduction/Welcome, Gary Tinterow, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - “FotoFest 2014 Biennial—VIEW FROM INSIDE,” Wendy Watriss, FotoFest - Curatorial Overview: The Exhibitions and Forums, Karin Adrian von Roques, FotoFest 2014 Arab Exhibitions - “What is the Arab World?” Ussama Makdisi, Rice University - “Art and Culture in the Arab Worlds: Historical Overview and Art in the Arab World Today,” Salawa Mikdadi, art historian - “History of Photography in the Arab World,” Samer Mohdad, artist, Fondation Arabe pour l’Image, Beirut - “From Palestine to Berlin: Making Contemporary Art between Cultures,” Steve Sabella, artist - Question and Answer, Steve Sabella, artist; Samer Mohdad, artist; and Salwa Mikdadi, art historian Lunch Break, 1–2 p.m. Afternoon - Roundtable “From the Grassroots to the World Stage: Artists from Saudi Arabia“ (presented with Edge of Arabia), Stephen Stapleton, Edge of Arabia; Stephen Stapleton; Mona Khazindar, Institut du Monde Arabe; Hamza Serafi, - Athr Gallery; and Ahmed Mater, artist - “A Changing World: The Role of the Artist,” Ahmed Mater, artist - Roundtable: “Gender in the Photographic Arts: Middle East and North Africa,” Maya El Khalil, Athr Gallery; Huda Lutfi, artist; Rula Halawani, artist; and Sama AlShaibi, artist - “Mixing Media—From Photography to Video and Social Media,” Khaled Hafez, artist - Roundtable: “Looking at the Future—Viewpoints,” Steve Sabella, artist; Ahmed Jadallah, artist; Maya El Khalil, Athr Gallery; Salawa Mikdadi, art historian; and Khaled Hafez, artist   A reception to meet some of the speakers and artists, with a book signing, follows.   Free to the Public. Reserve your tickets in advance by clicking here, or by calling 713.639.7771    Click here for press release or visit www.fotofest.org/2014biennial for more details.   Click here for a full list of FotFest Exhibitions and Events.
March 28, 2014  -  From Darkness to Light... with Arnoud Van Doorn
Listen to the remarkable journey of one of the most staunch Islamophobes as his heart traveled to the light of Islam. ICNA Relief presents an evening with Arnoud Van Doorn.   Houston Banquet Dinner with Arnoud Van Doorn & sh. Omar Suleiman   Date: Friday, March 28, 2014 Time: 7:30PM, After Maghrib Venue: Houston Marriott Westchase | 2900 Briarpark Drive | Houston, TX 77042   Suggested Donation $20/person   Contact person: Shabbir Hasan | Phone: (832) 302-1681 Email: houston@icnarelief.org | shabbir@icnarelief.org   For more information, click here.
March 28, 2014  -  Somebody’s Watching Me: Surveillance, Terrorism, and Civil Liberties
World Affairs Council of Houston Speaker: Robert Chesney, University of Texas School of Law   The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) came to public attention in the January State of the Union message. While the collection of metadata is not going away, greater oversight of the agencies involved is expected. Lawmakers in at least 14 states, in a direct challenge to federal authorities, have proposed bills that would curtail the powers of law enforcement to monitor and track citizens. Robert Chesney will discuss the current debate over surveillance, security, and civil liberties and whether these programs can be challenged.   Robert Chesney is a nonresident senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution and the Charles I. Francis Professor in Law at the University of Texas. He teaches courses on U.S. national security and constitutional law, covering matters relating to military detention, the use of force, terrorism-related prosecutions, the role of the courts in national security affairs, and the relationship between military and intelligence community activities. Chesney is a member of the Advisory Committee of the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Law and National Security, a senior editor for the Journal of National Security Law & Policy, and a member of the ODNI's Advance Technology Board. Topics to be addressed: • The use of executive authority in cyber security regulations • Legislative changes in federal surveillance laws • Upcoming court cases • Cyber security regulations - HIPPA, Homeland Security Act • International organized crime - trends, cyber security attacks, and methods of protection/enforcement • Ethical issues surrounding national and international surveillance    Date: Friday, March 28, 2014 Time: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Location: The Federal Reserve Bank, 1801 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX 77019   For more information and/or to register, visit www.wachouston.org.
March 27, 2014  -  U.S. Policy in the Middle East
Featured Speaker:  The Honorable Edward P. Djerejian, Founding Director, Rice University's Baker Institute   Welcoming Remarks: David W. Leebron, President, Rice University   Introduction: Ward Farnsworth, Dean, The University of Texas School of Law   The Honorable Edward P. Djerejian, founding director of Rice University’s Baker Institute, will discuss the Arab Awakening and its implications for U.S. national security interests, foreign policy and public diplomacy. Djerejian’s career in the U.S. Foreign Service spanned the administrations of eight presidents from John F. Kennedy to William J. Clinton, and included appointments as the U.S. ambassador to Israel and to the Syrian Arab Republic. He is a leading expert on national security, foreign policy and the complex political, security, economic, religious and ethnic issues of the Middle East and South Asia. He has played key roles in the Arab-Israeli peace process and regional conflict resolution.   When: Thursday, March 27, 2014 Time: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Location: James A. Baker III Hall, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, Doré Commons    The event is sponsored by Rice University’s Baker Institute, the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law, and The University of Texas School of Law, under the auspices of the Law School’s James A. Baker III Chair in the Rule of Law in World Affairs. A reception will follow the event.    For more information, click here.
March 24, 2014  -  [FotoFest] International Fine Print Auction
More than sixty International artists including leading Arab artists from FotoFest 2014 Biennial exhibitions. Benefit auction for FotoFest art and education programs.   The online preview of the 2014 Fine Print Auction will be posted in February 2014. For information on the FotoFest Fine Print Auction, please contact Liz Wickersham, FotoFest Auction Coordinator, 713.223.5522 ext 14, projects@fotofest.org.    Click here for press release or visit www.fotofest.org/2014biennial for more details.   Click here for a full list of FotFest Exhibitions and Events.
March 22, 2014  -  Palestinian American Cultural Center's 4th Anniversary Gala
The Palestinian American Cultural Center (PACC-Houston) is pleased to announce it's Anniversary Gala will take place on March 22, 2014. The Gala is designed to honor the sponsors of the Palestinian Festival that will take place in Downtown Houston March 29-30, 2014.   This year's honoree and keynote speaker will be award winning prominent actor and film director Mohammad Bakri.      When: Saturday, March 22, 2014 Time: 7 p.m. Location: Hilton Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Houston 77056      The Gala is a black tie formal attire event that will include reception, and a seated dinner and program that includes several entertainment and presentation items.      For more information, visit www.pacchouston.org.   Click here for event flyer.
March 21, 2014  -  "Al-Andalus and its Afterlife: Moorish Spain and the "Muslim Problem" in Europe Today"
The Arab-American Education foundation is pleased to announce the 2nd lecture this year "Al-Andalus and its Afterlife: Moorish Spain and the "Muslim Problem" in Europe Today" by Associate Professor Charles Hirschkind, University of California at Berkeley.   When: Friday, March 21, 2014 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Rice University, 301 Sewall Hall, Houston, Texas   “Within the dominant currents of Spanish historiography, the final defeat of Spain’s Muslim rulers in the 15th century and the subsequent expulsion of the Muslim and Jewish populations from its territories stand as the founding events of the Spanish nation. Yet, despite a vigorous and sustained attempt within Spanish historiography to erase Islam (and Judaism) from Spain (coupled by systematic attempts to purify the language of Arabic influences, the land of Arabic architectural forms, and so on), a lasting imprint was left on Spanish life by eight hundred years of Muslim presence” In his talk, the speaker will “explore some of the ways Europe’s Islamic past continues to inhabit its present. To do so, will highlight the historical sensibilities, attitudes, and practices that ambivalently link the Spanish nation to its Muslim past”. In the second part of the talk, he “will turn to some of the contemporary movements that incorporate a lived relation to the Islamic past as a condition of ethical agency. By exploring some of the fissures within contemporary narratives of Europe’s Judeo-Christian identity, the speaker will contribute to current scholarly conversations on religious pluralism within western societies, and particularly to debates on the place of Muslim minorities within Europe”. If you plan on attending the attached lecture, please RSVP to aaef@theaaef.org. Space is limited to 160 seats.   For more information, please visit www.theaaef.org.    Click here for event flyer.
March 21, 2014  -  "The Truth" by Nazar Yahya Celebration Reception
Wade Wilson Art is pleased to announce "The Truth" by Nazar Yahya, an exhibition in conjunction with the Fotofest 2014 Biennial. The exhibit is on view for the public Saturday, March 1, 2014 through Saturday, March 29, 2014. A celebration reception will be held on Friday, March 21, 2014 from 6-8pm during the week of Fotofest. Wade Wilson Art is located at 4411 Montrose Blvd., Ste. 200, Houston, Texas, 77006.   In Nazar Yahya’s latest solo exhibition at Wade Wilson Art, the artist presents photographic prints conveying the story of the Islamic mystic poet Mansur al-Hallaj (858-922 a.d.). Yahya utilizes collage elements to shape his photographic prints into a story of a universal, divine light transcending distance, time, and culture. The exhibit features meticulously staged photographs and sculpture stemming from the pages of the artist’s sketchbook. Here, the personal and particular are in conversation with the universal. Yahya weaves together elements from disparate sources to convey timeless connection and truth; the traditional cloak worn by Iraqi mothers becomes that of the master mystic, Mansur al-Hallaj. Yahya strives in “The Truth” to capture visually the same concept of “Oneness” that al-Hallaj sought, for which the mystic poet was tragically executed after claiming “I am Truth.”   Nazar Yahya was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq. Yahya started his path in being an artist as an illustrator for children’s magazines in the early 1980’s while he was still in high school. He then pursued his art education and graduated from the painting department at the Academy of Fine Arts, Baghdad in 1987. In 2008, the artist moved to Houston, Texas with his family to start a new life experience as an expatriate artist. Nazar Yahya’s artwork has been exhibited extensively in the Middle East in Beirut, Bahrain, Amman, Dubai, and Qatar. His artwork has also been exhibited beyond the Middle East in the countries of London, Norway, Bangladesh, and the US. Yahya’s artwork has been published by Le Monde Diplomatique, France and was included in the book, Art in Iraq Today, published by Skira and Meem Editions . His works are collected by the British Museum, Qatar Museum, and the Station Museum of Contemporary Art. This is Nazar Yahya’s 2nd solo exhibition at Wade Wilson Art Houston.   When: Friday, March 21, 2014 Time: 6:00pm until 8:00pm Location: Wade Wilson Art, 4411 Montrose Blvd., Suite #200, Houston, Texas 77006   For more information, visit http://www.wadewilsonart.com/.
March 17-20, 2014  -  Israeli Apartheid Week at UH
Monday, March 17th 2014 - Erect a 8 ft. tall mock Apartheid Wall with a mock checkpoint to simulate life under occupation (in Butler Plaza, the main campus square) - Palestinian Culture Fair: Traditional Palestinian food served; clothes, flags, and other items put on display - Open Canvas Letter: Hang an empty paint canvas so that students can paint on their thoughts about this conflict   Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - Movie Screening: a film documenting Palestinian resistance will be screened   Wednesday, March 19th 2014 - Panel Discussion with various local activists and professors centered on the Palestinian struggle   Thursday, March 20th 2014 - Again erect a 8 ft. tall mock Apartheid Wall with a mock checkpoint to simulate life under occupation (in Butler Plaza, the main campus square) - Palestinian Culture Fair: Traditional Palestinian food served; clothes, flags, and other items put on display - Open Canvas Letter: Hang an empty paint canvas so that students can paint on their thoughts about this conflict    For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/SJPUH.
March 16, 2014  -  Collective Reaction Opening Reception
FotoFest 2014   The Station Museum of Contemporary Art wishes to announce the major exhibition Collective Reaction, featuring the six solo exhibitions of Democracia, Adel Abidin, Hito Steyerl, Mohammed Al-Shammarey, Prince Varughese Thomas, and Maura Sheehan. The exhibition will open on Sunday, March 16, 2014, at 3 pm to 7 pm with music & refreshments.   The proliferation of images and the devices that record them has fundamentally shifted the method in which information is interpreted and disseminated. What once was a costly and specialized skill has now become a tool for the masses.   The propagation of imagery has been simultaneously displaced and appropriated by both traditional and independent media outlets. Through cropping, manipulation, and contextual placement, images take on new meanings that subvert or recuperate.   Madrid-based collective Democracia presents Welfare State: Smash the Ghetto-a four channel video installation displaying the demolition of the El Salobral shantytown, one of Europe's largest shantytowns on the southern outskirts of Madrid, as if it were a sporting event. The project turns the destruction of the neighborhood into a show for the members of civil society, celebrating the end of the ghetto as if it were a media spectacle.   Three Love Songs by Iraqi artist Adel Abidin explores the multiple ways to use and manipulate images to create juxtapositions of meanings from the mundane to the extreme. The piece, a three channel video installation, is an examination on terror and love, and how facades are played through song, specifically Iraqi songs that were commissioned by Saddam Hussein, used to glorify the regime during the decades of his rule.   Berlin-based writer and filmmaker, Hito Steyerl's video installation How Not To Be Seen: A Fucking Didactic Educational .Mov File, created for the 55th Venice Biennale, offers instructional guidelines on how to disappear in the digital age.   The photographic works of self-taught Iraqi artist Mohammed Al-Shammarey, along with his video work Chess, bear a certain level of witness to the crisis of Iraqi culture-wars, rebellion, escape, estrangement, loss, suffering-as well as his own personal struggle.   When: Sunday, March 16, 2014 Time: 3pm Location: Station Museum of Contemporary Art, 1502 Alabama St., Houston, TX 77004   Music & Refreshments   For more information, visit http://www.stationmuseum.com/.
March 15, 2014  -  [FotoFest] Opening Night Party
Join us for the opening of the 2014 Biennial. View from Inside Contemporary Arab Photography, Video and Mixed Media Art   Celebrating FotoFest's 15th Biennial and our move to the Washington Avenue Cultural Distrcit.   When: Saturday, March 15, 2014 Time: 7 pm - midnight Location: Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring St., Houston 77007   For more information, visit www.fotofest.org or call 713-223-5522.   Click here for event flyer.   Click here for a full list of FotFest Exhibitions and Events.
March 13-June 14, 2014  -  Contemporary Arabic Graffiti and Lettering: Photographs of a Visual Revolution
Inspired from the 2011 publication "Arabic Graffiti" written by Don Stone Karl and Pascal Zoghbi, the exhibition "Contemporary Arabic Graffiti and Lettering: Photographs of a Visual Revolution" examines the development and impact of Arabic graffiti over the past decade through 30 contemporary photographs and accompanying didactic panels. The exhibition presents a brief overview of the history and development of traditional Arabic script and calligraphy, providing a framework and context for contemporary calligraphy and graffiti work. However, the exhibition primarily examines how contemporary graffiti artists, mostly from Middle Eastern descent, are reviving and reinterpreting Arabic letter forms into a new graphic style, creating new lettering and typography that is becoming a part of an increasingly globalized design field and practice, as well as part of a larger social and political discourse.   The first theme "Arabic Script and Calligraphy: A Historical Perspective and Beyond" presents the development of the Arabic alphabet composed of 29 letters in script form, and also shows the rise of the two main styles of Arabic calligraphy (Nask and Kufic) in 7th century Iraq. Images of calligraphic artworks, as well as contemporary murals demonstrate the persistence of the calligraphy tradition, but also how it is merging with contemporary technologies, art forms, and practices.   The second theme "The Contemporary Presence of Calligraphy in the Public Sphere" uses documentary photography to demonstrate how calligraphy, often by unknown artists, marks secular spaces. While Arabic calligraphy identifies the exterior walls of shop entrances and facades of trucks, it also commandeers a religious and political presence in the public domain, particularly in Bahrain, Lebanon, and Egypt. Through calligraphic graffiti a dialogue emerges in the public sphere, demonstrating political unrest and raising questions about established ideologies and beliefs.   The third theme "The Rise of International Arabic Graffiti Art" demonstrates how contemporary graffiti artists of Middle Eastern descent are incorporating Arabic calligraphy into large street murals, public light installations and performances. Photographs of works by contemporary artists living in France, Germany, Canada, Jordan, Lebanon, and Indonesia demonstrate how Arabic lettering is being revived and reinterpreted for aesthetic, but also political purposes. Some artists create new letter forms based on traditional script and cursive styles, connecting with historical and cultural identities that have become lost or disenfranchised. Other artists purposefully incorporate Latinized versions of text into their compositions, creating new pictorial forms and meanings for a globalized society.   Once again, language becomes a vehicle for social protest, and the re-imagined letter form becomes not only a means, but also a symbol, for envisioning a brave new world.   Graffiti artists represented in the exhibition include Ammar Abo Bakr, El Seed, Hest1, Julien Breton aka Kaalam, L’Atlas, Monsieur Cana aka Askar, Native & ZenTwO, Sadhu, Sun7 aka Jonas Bournat, Typism and Keos, Yazan, and Zepha aka Vincent Abadie Hafez. Calligraphy artists represented include Malik Anas Al-Rajab, Hassan Massoudy, Mohamed Gaber, and Sameh Ismael.   Generous support toward this exhibition was provided by the Houston Endowment, Inc., The Wortham Foundation, Inc., The Brown Foundation, Inc., and Whole Foods Market. The Printing Museum is funded by grants from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. Photographs for the exhibition were printed at the University of Houston Digital Media Lab.   When: March 13 - June 14, 2014 Location: The Museum of Printing History, 1324 W. Clay Street, Houston, Texas 77019    This exhibition is taking place in conjunction with the FotoFest 2014 Biennial: The Fifteenth International Biennial of Photography and Photo-related Art, March 15 – April 27, 2014, Houston, Texas.   For more information, click here.
March 13, 2014  -  Annual Dinner Dialogue Hosted by Muslim Families
We (Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston) are excited to announce that this year our friends from the Islamic community will partner with us to share about their own faith practices for a unique dinner dialogue experience. This year's series will continue our tradition of building friendships in Houston between people of faith around the dinner table. Due to the remarkable success of last year we expect to sell out for the series and we encourage you to register early!   When: March 13, 2014 Time: 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm   What are the Dinner Dialogues? The dinner dialogues are the cornerstone of our interfaith programs. The dinner dialogues focus on conversations held in private homes where groups of 8-12 Houstonians gather to learn about the faith practices and traditions of families here in Houston and engage in interactive interfaith dialogues while sharing a vegetarian meal. The groups listen to the experiences of the host family (or community member) as he/she/they share information and perspectives about their faith traditions. There is also a time for questions and dialogue. The evening concludes with a moderated discussion where all participants share a bit about their own faith traditions. What can I expect during the dinner dialogue? The Annual Dinner Dialogue series creates both an educational experience and safe spaces for Houstonians to develop new friendships. The structure of the dinners provides intimate forums to learn information about the faith traditions and practices of a wide variety of families, as well as, an opportunity for the participants to form new relationships across traditional religious boundaries. Interfaith Ministries recognizes that one family or one person cannot represent an entire faith tradition in one evening. The point of the dinners is not to provide a comprehensive understanding of the faith tradition, but instead to highlight key beliefs and practices that begin an informative conversation among people of different faith traditions. Additionally, Interfaith Ministries sees the dinner dialogue series as a way to build relationships and strengthen the fabric of our city through genuine exchange of ideas and understanding with one another. Join together in a small group of diverse individuals in a private home to break bread and discuss faith, beliefs and religious practices. Our uplifting dinners are guided by a facilitator and provide a unique opportunity for participants to learn and make new friends!   We look forward to your participation in our Annual Dinner Dialogues!   To register as a host or an attendee, click here.
March 13, 2014  -  Opening Reception for Contemporary Arabic Graffiti and Lettering
When: March 13, 2014 Time: 6:00 PM Location: The Museum of Printing History, 1324 W. Clay Street, Houston, Texas 77019   This exhibition is taking place in conjunction with the FotoFest 2014 Biennial: The Fifteenth International Biennial of Photography and Photo-related Art, March 15 – April 27, 2014, Houston, Texas.   For more information, click here.
December 19, 2013 through March 9, 2014 - The Roads of Arabia: Archaeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Exhibition
The Roads of Arabia: Archaeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia exhibition will be at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH).   Saudi Aramco is a principal co-sponsor of the U.S. tour of the exhibition along with ExxonMobil Corporation. The exhibition features objects excavated from several sites throughout the Arabian Peninsula, tracing the impact of ancient trade and routes and pilgrimage roads stretching from Yemen in the south to Iraq, Syria and Mediterranean cultures in the north.    When: December 19, 2013 - March 9, 2014 Location: Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH)   For additional information on Roads of Arabia, visit www.roadsofarabia.com.   Click here for exhibition flyer.
March 9, 2014  -  ADS Spring Picnic
The American Druze Society Houston Chapter - SPRING PICNIC   When: Sunday, March 9, 2014 Time: 12 - 4pm Location: Eldridge Park, 2511 Eldridge Rd., Sugar Land, TX 77478   (Lunch will be served at 1pm) Delicious Shawarma, Falafel & More by   Make sure to bring soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, volleyball, badminton or any other sporting activity for your enjoyment. This is a Spring-time outdoor picnic, so please prepare accordingly. Indoor seating is also available   Ticket: $15 per Person /  Mail a check to ADS Houston, 4918 Canterbury Ln., Sugar Land, TX 77479   RSVP & Payment by March 4th 2014 / No Tickets will be sold at the door If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Maher Moukarim (mmmouka@gmail.com  Phone: (281) 250-6950)
March 8, 2014 - The Crisis of Character: Exploring the Islamic Alternative
A Zaytuna College Conference   SESSION 1: The Crisis of Character as a Crisis of Knowledge In this introductory lecture of the conference, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf examines the relationship between knowledge and character. The acclaimed Orientalist, Franz Rosenthal, has described Islam as a knowledge-based civilization. If that is indeed the case, knowledge, or the lack thereof, has tremendous implications for the viability of Islam and the integrity of the Muslim community. Dr. Naquib Al-Attas has powerfully argued that indeed the crisis of character currently afflicting the Muslim world, and by extension all of humanity, is rooted in a crisis of knowledge SESSION 2: Can Traditional Social Science and Contemporary Social Theory Support Ethical Reform? What are the bridges by which theory crosses over the divide of abstraction into operative reality? What are the barriers that hinder such a crossover? Can there be a substitute for religion as a basis for overarching ethical principles? Dr. Sulayman Nyang, a renowned Muslim scholar and social scientist, discusses the strengths and weaknesses of traditional social science and contemporary social theory as sources of ethical reform. SESSION 3: When The Morality of Corporations Collides with the Imperative for Cooperation In this lecture, Imam Zaid Shakir examines the underlying moral basis governing the "thinking" of large corporations, how that "thinking" runs counter to the cooperation needed to save both humanity and our planet, and what we can do to actualize effective cooperation in the face of the increasingly damaging corporate assault on our lives, property and honor. SESSION 4: The Ethical Implications of the Life, Work and Legacy of Edward Said Dr. Hatem Bazian, a co-founder of Zaytuna College, and a noted Palestinian-American scholar and activist engages Dr. Colleen Keyes, Zaytuna College's Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, who recently completed her Doctoral Dissertation on Edward Said, in a conversation focusing on the ethical implications of the life, work and legacy of the late intellectual giant. How does Said, an Arab Christian by birth, speak to Muslims? What is relevance of his work for upholding the validity of ethical systems, which may be viewed as being at odds with the values emerging from a strategically, culturally and economically hegemonic western world? Does Said argue for or against the relevance or viability of traditional approaches to life, scholarship and morality? SESSION 5: Thoroughly Muslim or Thoroughly Modern? While there are definitely Muslims in various locations throughout the world who are engaging in a noble and principled defense of their lives, property and honor, sadly there are others committing unspeakable atrocities. Daily we read of senseless acts of violence perpetrated by those claiming Islam: bombings of mosques, marketplaces and schools; acid thrown in the faces of schoolgirls; murders of journalists; massacres of prisoners; exhibitionist beheadings, posted on social media sites, of people who have not received even a semblance of due process. While many who are hostile to Islam point to such violence as being the inevitable outcome of Muslim teachings, others such as the noted British political philosopher, John Gray, see such acts as being impossible were there perpetrators not thoroughly infused with the spirit of modernity. Which is the case? This is one of the questions Dr. Joseph Lumbard will address in this concluding lecture of the conference. Each session will conclude with Questions, Discussion and Dialogue     When: Saturday, March 8, 2014 Time: Program begins at 9:30 AM sharp, concludes at 4:15 PM Location: The Westin Memorial City, Azalea Ballroom, 945 Gessner Road, Houston, 77024     Tickets are on sale now - $25/person, $10/students   For additional information, visit http://zaytunacollege.org/event/character.
March 4, 2014  -  Global Interfaith Dialogue
MAS Houston and UHCL MSA is hosting an Interfaith Dialogue event at UHCL on March 4th. It's purpose is to increase awareness, knowledge, and tolerance of our different faiths. The panel will consist of representatives from 9 different world religions and the audience will get a chance to see differing perspectives on issues that affect us all.   Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2014 Time: 5:30 - 8:30 Address: University of Houston Clear Lake, Garden Room in the Bayou Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058   Please join us for an eye-opening experience!   Click here for event flyer.
February 28, 2014  -  The Artful Faith: Islam, Art, and Creativity
This month, Rice MSA alumnus Salman Ahmed (Baker College; B.S. Biochemistry 2008) welcomes you to examine Islamic concepts of artistic expression and creativity. The talk will focus on the historical and modern concepts of art and creativity as derived from textual sources and mainstream interpretations within the Muslim community. The primary ideas to be discussed include: 1) What constitutes art? What constitutes entertainment? How can each of these bolster or hinder faith? 2) What can the constructive, positive role of art in the ummah be in terms of helping us understand ourselves (inner faith) as well as provide da'wa to non-Muslims (interfaith)? 3) How are we influenced as human beings and as Muslims by the prevailing mass media and culture? Do we have to assume a stance of immediate rejection; unquestioning consumption; or is there room for acceptance, inclusivity, and understanding? 4) How can Muslims choose art from other traditions that represents high-mindedness and sincerity rather than the base impulses that mass art today tends to promote? 5) Is it time for an Islamic Renaissance? Can Muslims produce art that will lead to inner reflection and understanding?   When: Friday, February 28, 2014 Time: 7:00pm until 8:30pm Location: Rice University, Duncan Hall, Houston, Texas 77005
February 28, 2014  -  Comedy Charity Program
Path to Self Sufficiency & Women Empowerment   Featuring: AZHAR USMAN & MO AMER     When: February 28, 2014 Time: 7.00pm - 10.00pm Location: Village Hall, 11920 S.Highway 6, Sugarland, TX 77498 (Park Pointe Drive/Voss Road)  /  Next to Afghan Cuisine   Ticket: $15/per person, $10/per student with valid student ID, $35/family DINNER will be served   Contact:    ilyas.choudry@hhrd.us    Maaz Adil (281) 468.2238    Abdullah Elasmar (832) 518-7050    Ayub H Mohamed (713) 517-8339    Click here for event flyer.
February 28, 2014  -  Meet and Greet Evening at Al-Sham Center
It is time to get our members together and enjoy a Meet and Greet Evening at Al-Sham Center.   When: Friday, February 28, 2014 Time: 7pm to 9pm Location: 5729 Winsome Lane, Houston, TX 77057   Open Falafel Buffet - $12 per person Falafel, soft drinks, coffee, tea and dessert will be served. Kids over 12 years old are welcome   We kindly request your RSVP! Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 26, 2014 choosing one of the following three options: • Reply to syrianamericanclub@yahoo.com and list the number and names of people attending • Call Al-Sham Center at 713-266-5577 • Click here.   Future members are also welcome.   Click here for event flyer.
February 27, 2014  -  The Impact of the National Security: Debate on Women and Youth
Free Teleconference The Impact of the National Security Debate on Women and Youth   For more than a decade, national security issues have been at the forefront of our country's discourse - whether in legal academia, policy circles, or the media. These conversations often revolve around the perceived threat from terrorists, and include many assumptions about Islam and its adherents. While the effects of this national discussion on American Muslims in general has been an occasional topic of inquiry, little attention has been paid to the specific effects on women and youth, in particular.   This free teleconference will explore the impact of our national security debate on the well-being of Muslim, Arab, South Asian and Sikh youth populations vulnerable to discrimination and intimidation in schools, and on female experiences as protagonists in stories of struggle for peace, freedom and equality - at the intersection of gender, race and/or religion - in the post 9/11 era. During this session, a respected panel of experts will share their analyses of such cutting edge issues as well as related recommendations for policy makers, educators, advocates, and community members. The discussion will feature an open Q & A segment facilitating active audience engagement.   Thursday, Feb. 27, 2013 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Eastern   Speakers • Nadia Ansary, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Rider University • Sahar Aziz, Associate Professor of Law, Texas A&M University School of Law • Jayne Huckerby, Associate Clinical Professor of Law, Duke University School of Law, Duke University School of Law • Shirin Sinnar, Assistant Professor of Law, Stanford Law School Moderator • Engy Abdelkader, U.S. Representative to Advisory Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion at The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and ABA IRR Committee on National Security and Civil Liberties Chairperson     For more information and/or to register, click here.
February 26, 2014  -  Power Systems: Conversations on Global Democratic Uprisings and the New Challenges to U.S. Empire
Don't miss an exciting opportunity to catch David Barsamian on his national tour as he visits Houston to discuss the recent publication, Power Systems: Conversations on Global Democratic Uprisings and the New Challenges to U.S. Empire, featuring interviews between Barsamian and Noam Chomsky. After the discussion, Barsamian will answer questions from the audience, and sign books.   Doors open at 6:30- Houston's own Don Sanders will perform at 7, followed by David Barsamian at 7:30. Beer will be served courtesy of Saint Arnold's Brewery!   One of America's most tireless and wide-ranging journalists, Barsamian has altered the independent media landscape, both with his weekly radio program and his books with Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Tariq Ali, Edward Said, Eqbal Ahmad, and Arundhati Roy. His articles and interviews appear in The Progressive, The Sun, and other magazines and journals. Barsamian also serves on VBB’s Advisory Board and is director of Alternative Radio and author of many books of interviews, including Targeting Iran.   Don Sanders has been performing in and around Houston since the '60s. A central figure in the Texas singer-songwriter milieu, Sanders is best known for his story and song performances in schools, festivals, and theaters throughout the Southwest. Over the years he has shared the stage with Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, Pete Seeger, Arlo Gutherie, Lightin' Hopkins, Guy Clark, Eric Taylor, Vince Bell, Townes Van Zandt, and Janis Joplin. He was also featured in the award winning documentary For the Sake of the Song about Houston's legendary venue, Anderson Fair.   This Cultural Narrative is organized by Wally James host of Progressive Forum and Michael Woodson host of Living Art, both shows can be heard on KPFT Pacifica Radio 90.1 FM, and is cosponsored by KPFT Pacifica Radio 90.1 FM and Houston Institute for Culture.     When: February 26, 2014 Time: .7 pm Location: Houston Institute for Culture, 708-C Telephone Rd., Houston 77023      For more information, visit http://www.vbbarts.org/.
February 26, 2014  -  Inside Iran: What's Next -- Peace or War?
Guest speaker: Robin Wright, Woodrow Wilson Center   In mid January, Iran finalized terms for a tentative nuclear agreement with the world’s six major powers. Tehran is now due to halt the most sensitive aspects of its program in exchange for minor sanctions relief over the next six months, while intense diplomacy tries to convert a short-term deal into a long-term pact. Already, the talks have featured the most significant engagement between Iran and the United States since the end of the 444-day takeover of the U.S. Embassy in 1981. The deal reflects a broader political shift in Tehran since the election of President Hassan Rouhani last summer. But it could still all collapse—raising military action as the alternative to ensure the Islamic Republic does not produce the world’s deadliest weapon.   During her recent two-week trip to Iran, Robin Wright interviewed people across the society, from Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif and Ayatollah Khomeini’s granddaughter to young and unemployed on the streets of Tehran. After 33 years of trying, she also got into the old American embassy and talked to the ringleader of the takeover. She will discuss their views of the nuclear deal and their hopes and fears for their country in a changing Middle East.   Robin Wright is a journalist, author and foreign policy analyst. She is currently a distinguished scholar at the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson Center. Wright has reported from more than 144 countries on six continents for The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Sunday Times of London, CBS News and The Christian Science Monitor. She won the National Magazine Award for The New Yorker. She has also written for The Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times Magazine, TIME, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The International Herald Tribune and many others.     When: February 26, 2014 Time: Registration: 6:00 p.m., Program: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oak Lane, Houston, Texas 77027      For more information and/or to register, visit www.wachouston.org.
February 25, 2014  -  Symposium on the Middle East
Former Ambassador John Craig will be giving a public talk entitled "Symposium on the Middle East", focusing primarily on current political events in Syria and Egypt. In addition to hearing Ambassador Craig’s perspectives on current events transpiring in the Middle East, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions as well as meet others from the UHCL community who are interested in policy and global affairs.   Date: Tuesday February 25, 2014 Time: 7:00 to 9:00 pm Location: University of Houston-Clear Lake, Bayou Building, Garden Room, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston   This event is free and open to the public.   For more information, click here.
February 25, 2014  -  Gilad Atzmon in Houston
Hear the brilliant 2-time BBC "Best Jazz Album" award winner, author of "The Wandering Who? A study of Jewish Identity Politics", speaker, philosopher, activist, and political(ly incorrect) commentator and thorn-in-the-side to the powers-that-be, Gilad Atzmon along with guitarist Trevor LaBonte, Mike Owen (piano), Andrew Gordon (upright bass), Osama Raad (drums) and band speak and unleash holy bebop terror, scatter the demons, and liberate the world once an for all time from supremacist mind-control brainwashing.    When: February 25, 2014 Time: 7-11 PM  (Q & A at 7 PM) Location: Ovations Night Club, 2536B Times Blvd. @ Kirby Drive in the Rice Village    For more information, click here.
February 22, 2014  -  Affordable Care Act Workshop
The Arab American Cultural and Community Center will conduct a Affordable Care Act workshop on Saturday, February 22nd, 2014.   This workshop will help and explain the Affordable Care Act Legislation, how it works and how to qualify for affordable health care insurance.   When: February 22, 2014 Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Arab American Cultural and Community Center, 10555 StanCliff Rd, Houston, 77099   Presentations will be in both Arabic and English.   For more information and volunteer opportunities, please contact the ACC office at (832) 351-3366.
February 22, 2014  -  Biennial Ben Qurrah Awards Gala
The Arab American Medical Association Houston Chapter will hold its Biennial Ben Qurrah Awards Gala on February 22.   2014 Houston Honoree:    Raymond Sawaya, MD    Professor and Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery    Baylor College of Medicine and    The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center   2014 National Honoree    Mohamed H. Sayegh, MD,    FAHA, FASN, ASCI, AAP, FRCP    Raja N. Khuri Dean, Faculty of Medicine    Professor of Medicine and Immunology    Vice President of Medical Affairs    American University of Beirut   When: February 22, 2014 Location: Four Seasons Hotel, 1300 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010    For more information, click here.
February 22, 2014  -  MAS Katy Center Annual Fundraising Dinner
MAS Katy Center Annual Fundraising Dinner!   Theme: "Building a Community, One Youth at a Time"   Distinguished Guest Speakers: Imam Khalid Griggs & Imam Wazir Ali   - Construction & Engineering Tour   - Childrens' Activities   We hope to see you all at this auspicious and festive occasion, insha'Allah!   When: Saturday, February 22, 2014 Time: 6:30pm Location: MAS Katy Center, 1800 Baker Rd., Houston, TX 77094    For more information, click here.   Click here for event flyer.
February 22, 2014  -  Muslim's at the "Race Against Violence"
Muslim's at the "Race Against Violence" Benefiting the Houston Area Women's Center   COURSE: This 5 kilometer (3.1 miles) race is sanctioned and certified. Run begins on Waugh Dr., just south of W. Dallas, proceeds north on Waugh, east on Allen Parkway (inbound), u-turns at Crosby, continues west on Allen Parkway (outbound), south on Waugh, and concludes on Waugh Dr. at D’Amico St. Strollers are permitted in the family walk and at the back of the competitive walk. Pets, skates, bikes, and skateboards are prohibited.   Free parking is available on the back surface lots of the American General Campus (enter off W. Dallas). Race Day registration and packet pick-up open at 6:45 A.M. at the Women’s Center. The race begins promptly at 8 a.m. Houston Area Women’s Center- 1010 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX 77019.   When: February 22, 2014 Time: 8 pm Location: AIG Campus at Whole Foods on Waugh & Montrose, Houston    For more information, click here.
February 15-16, 2014  -  7th Annual Bilateral Model Arab League
BILATERAL U.S.-ARAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REGIONAL UNIVERSITY MODEL ARAB LEAGUE   When: February 15-16, 2014 Location: University of Houston – Honors College, Houston, TX   Local Coordinator: Matthew Kocian (matthew@bilateralchamber.org, 713-568-8473)   For more information, click here.
February 13, 2014  -  The Second Arab Awakening and the Battle for Pluralism
Marwan Muasher, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace   James Madison in 'The Federalist Papers" wrote about the essential importance of pluralism in democracy. To avoid factionalism, it is best to allow the activities of many competing interests. Marwan Muasher argues that the battle for pluralism is the most important struggle in the Middle East today. A new generation is waging this battle, embracing tolerance, diversity, the peaceful rotation of power, and inclusive economic growth. It is a story that must be told.   Scholar, statesman, and diplomat Marwan Muasher has served in key leadership positions in Jordan. He was Jordan's first ambassador to Israel, ambassador to the U.S., foreign minister, and deputy prime minister in charge of reform. He played a key role in peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine for decades, and has long been a voice for tolerance across the Arab world. Dr. Muasher is currently the vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.   When: Thursday, February 13, 2014 Time: Registration: 6:00 p.m., Program: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oak Lane, Houston, Texas 77027   His most recent book, The Second Arab Awakening and the Battle for Pluralism, will be available at the program.   For more information and/or to register, visit www.wachouston.org.
February 11, 2014  -  Poetry Reading by Fady Joudah
Poetry Reading by world renowned translator/poet, Fady Joudah, MD at the Texas Medical Center Library The Friends of The Texas Medical Center (TMC) Library will host a poetry reading by Fady Joudah, MD, world renowned poet and translator.   When: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 Time: 7:00-9:00 pm Location: Texas Medical Center Library, 1133 John Freeman Blvd., Houston, TX 77030   Proceeds benefit the TMC Library. The Valentine Poetry Fete will include food and wine and a silent auction. General tickets are $35. $100 tickets include a one year membership to the Friends of the TMC Library, whose mission is to support and promote the TMC Library. Dr. Joudah is a Palestinian-American poet, an internal medicine physician, and a humanitarian worker. He has won numerous awards for his poetry and is internationally acclaimed. He is the recipient of the Griffin International Poetry Prize in 2013. His first poetry collection, The Earth in the Attic, won the prestigious Yale Younger Poets Prize in 2008. His translations of Palestinian Mahmoud Darwish’s work earned him a Banipal prize from the UK Society of Authors in 2008, and a PEN USA award in 2010. Alight and the ebook Textu, which is composed on a cell phone in character count of text-message size, are his most recent poetry collections from Copper Canyon Press. Dr. Joudah was born in Austin, Texas to Palestinian refugee parents, and grew up in Libya and Saudi Arabia. He returned to the U.S. to go to medical school and completed his training in internal medicine at the University of Texas. He has also volunteered abroad with Doctors Without Borders in Zambia and Darfur. For more information, contact Sarah Keith at sarah.keith@exch.library.tmc.edu or 713-799-7108.    Click here for event flyer.
February 8, 2014  -  FECC Fund Raising Gala
Please Join Friends of Egyptian Children with Cancer (FECC) for a Fund Raising Banquet   When: Saturday, February 8, 2014 Time:  6:30 PM Location: Sheraton Suites Hotel - Galleria, 2400 West Loop South, 713-586-2444   Guest Speaker: Miral Kotb, Founder and CEO, iLuminate Entertainment: iLuminate, America's Most Electrifying Live Show   Silent Auction   FECC is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. For more information call Dr. Samia Khalil 713-666-7678  -  http://www.fecchouston.org
February 8, 2014  -  The Future of Muslims in America: Opportunities Ahead
For our third anniversary event, MPA is pleased to bring Mehdi Hasan, a prominent UK journalist and TV presenter to Houston. He has been an ardent advocate for a fair and balanced perspective of Muslims in journalism and media.   He will discuss the opportunities that American Muslims have to engage with the broader community, and how America's strong faith-based values & heritage can be helpful to Muslims in strengthening their faith while engaging with the society. We are excited to have him share his unique perspective as a Muslim media personality who is well-versed in discussing and debating the interplay between politics, the media and Islam - in fact, his debate-winning speech at the Oxford Union on Islam and peace, in May 2013, went viral, amassing more than a million views on YouTube.      When: Saturday, February 8, 2014 Time: 5.30pm Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 7611 Katy Freeway, Houston TX 77024      MPA Members can attend this event at no charge & non-members can attend for $35 by registering in advance. Please consider purchasing or renewing your membership at a special rate of just $99 to attend this event and 4 additional events in 2014. To register, visit www.mpahouston.com.
February 8, 2014  -  Annual Texas Lunar Festival
The 18th Annual Texas Lunar New Year Festival Celebration will take place on February 8, 2014, at Amity Park, 12509 Alief Clodine Road (between Cook Road and Dairy Ashford) in southwest Houston from 10:00am until 5:00pm. The event is open to the general public.   The Texas Lunar New Year Festival celebration is the largest celebration of the Asian New Year in the southwestern United States. It is a one-of-a-kind family oriented event that attracts large numbers of people from every ethnic group.   The 2014 Texas Lunar Festival will highlight and recognize the multi-cultural diversity of our community with many diverse ethnic foods, entertainment, world-class Shaolin Temple Wushu and attendance by many local dignitaries including governmental officials and leaders in business and education. The festival this year will also include an historical photo exhibition relating to our community and the growth of Southern News Group over the past 35 years.      When: Saturday, February 8, 2013 Time: 10 am - 5 pm Location: Amity Park, 12509 Alief Clodine Road (between Cook Road and Dairy Ashford)      For more information, visit www.texaslunarfest.com. Click here for festival flyer.
February 7 & 8, 2014  -  BeHUMAN Gallery & Samar Allarakia
BeHUMAN GALLERY & SAMAR ALLARAKIA presents: BISOU is an art & accessories design pop-up market that showcase various genres of artwork and accessories designs from national and international artists from the creative community.   The market is curated as a affordable platform for artists & designers to sell their artifacts to adoring art & designs lovers in Houston.   BISOU is open to all artists, working in all media i.e : painting, drawing, sculpture, fashion, accessory designs, music, film, book, photography, graphics, digital and installation art, video, etc. are eligible.   PERFORMING LIVE: The Official City of Houston Theme Song Writer: Rocko Stedy , Jazz & Dj Duo - Dru Rey, soundscape installation - Jason Poffenbarger   FEATURED ARTISTS: Chantel Barlow, Dre Forgotten, Yamin Cespedes Salazar & Sid Yanez Cespedes , Scott Tarbox, Ashely Marie, Cynthia Vela, Sal Miel, liliana Olmos, Kai Dunna, Shea Skidmore & Sherry Skidmore, Tito Fabian, Tree Vaello, Leslie Roades, Dustin Stalewski, Akila Raman, Gabriel Prusmack, James Walter, Tim walker, Andrew Yoist, Sherry Davis, Naz kaya Erdal, Arwa Sallam, Lula Azorey, Tee Muclus, Nicole Gavin, Christina Lynn Todaro, Anzhela Hrynki, Lee Carrier, Sergio Cornejo, Veronica Longoria, Stephanie Gonzalez, Edmundo Alvarez, Samar Allarakia, LuQca LuQca   ENJOY: Art • Music • Fashion • Accessories • Beauty • Complimentary Drinks • Family • Friends • Lovers & Strangers   Date: February 7 & 8, 2014 Time: 6:30 pm- 11:00pm Location: BeHUMAN GALLERY, 12848 Queensbury Suite 204, Houston, TX 77024 Next to Eddie' Vs @ CITYCENTRE HOUSTON       Click here for event flyer.
February 7, 2014  -  Sectarianism in the Middle East
Rice University Arab Studies Chair Lecture Sectarianism in the Middle East: A Brief History of a Modern Problem Ussama Makdisi, PhD Professor of History and Arab-American Foundation Chair of Arab Studies at Rice University   Date: Friday, February 7, 2014 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Rice University, 301 Sewall Hall, Houston, Texas    For more information, please visit www.theaaef.org.   Click here for event flyer.
February 4, 2014  -  Egypt: New Opportunities for Oil & Gas Exploration
Dr. Sherif Mohamed Ahmed Sousa - First Under Secretary for Gas Affairs, Egypt Petroleum Ministry The Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce is pleased to invite you to attend the World Affairs Council briefing on Egypt’s energy sector with Dr. Sherif Mohamed Ahmed Sousa, First Under Secretary for Gas Affairs at the Egypt Petroleum Ministry.    Date: February 4, 2014 Time: 12 pm - 3:30 pm Location: Houston, Texas    For more information or to register, click here.
February 1, 2014  -  Mawlid Celebration 2014
The Association of Islamic Charitable Projects in North America Invites you to attend the Grand Celebrations of The birth of Prophet Muhammad. Every year, on the 12th of Rabi^ ul-‘Awwal, an honored and glorified memory shines from the east to the west and is commemorated by the entire Muslim world. To praise Allah for the blessing and endowment of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), every pious Muslim participates in celebrating the memory of our honorable Prophet.   Bring your family and friends to gain the great blessings from the traces of the Prophet that will be showcased during our Mawlid celebration.   Seeking the blessings by the traces of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was done by the great Companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his lifetime and after his death. Throughout the ages, Muslims followed the example set by the Companions by continuing to seek the blessings from the traces of Prophet Muhammad. Enjoy Islamic chants and speeches from distinguished speakers. Learn from a video presentation about the occasion.   When: Saturday February 1, 2014 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Arab American Cultural Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston, TX 77099   Dinner & refreshments will be served. Admission & parking is free of charge.   For more information, visit www.aicp.org.
January 31, 2014  -  Fundraising Dinner for Syria
Join Islamic Relief USA and the TX community for a fundraising dinner to help Syrians in need.   FEATURING:   Yasmin Mogahed: Yasmin is an international published author of "Reclaim Your Heart", writer for the The Huffington Post, and inspirational speaker on spiritual and personal development   Mohammed "Mo" Amer: Stand-Up Comedian   Azhar Azeez: National Director of Fund Division, IRUSA    Date: Friday, January 31, 2014 Time: 7-10 pm Location: Hyatt Regency Houston, 1200 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002     TICKETS: General Admission: $25, Table of 10: $225, Childcare (ages 3-10): $10   Dinner will be served. Questions? Get in touch with us: Islamic Relief USA, Asmaa Syed, (713) 560-6680, asyedm@gmail.com.   To learn more about Islamic Relief USA's programs in Syria or to support the efforts, click here.   Click here for event flyer.
January 31, 2014  -  Syrian American Club Networking Night
First Syrian American Club (SAC) Networking Night   Open to members and friends Get to know and help each other Refreshments & snacks to be served Sponsorship Opportunities Available    Date: Friday, January 31, 2014 Time: 7:00 to 9:00 PM     Inquire at 713-266-5577 if interested.
January 30, 2014  -  "House of Stone: a Memoir of Home, Family, and a Lost Middle East"
Book Discussion: "House of Stone: a Memoir of Home, Family, and a Lost Middle East" by Anthony Shadid   Lecture presentation: Dr. Ussama Makdisi, Professor of History and the first holder of the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies at Rice University.   “Deeply personal, beautifully written, and intensively researched... an unforgettable portrait of the people of Lebanon, their history, and their daily lives as chronicled in the efforts of the late New York Times journalist to restore his family’s ancestral home.”     Date: January 30, 2014 Time: 2 pm Location: HCC SPRING BRANCH CAMPUS, “EAGLE ROOM”, 1010 W. SAM HOUSTON PKWY. N.   Small group discussion will follow lecture. Attend the 40 minute lecture - will be informative regardless if you have read or not completed reading the book.   Presented by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.   For more information, visit: http://bridgingcultures.neh.gov/muslimjourneys.   Click here for event flyer.
Now through Jan 26, 2014  -  Arts of Islamic Lands: Selections from The al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait
Islamic masterworks from Kuwait’s renowned al-Sabah Collection come to the MFAH as part of a long-term collaboration with the cultural institution Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah (DAI). The privately held al-Sabah Collection is one of the greatest collections of Islamic art in the world, and the partnership initiates a historic exchange of objects, staff, and expertise.   Among the highlights showcased in this display are spectacular Mughal jewelry, illuminated manuscripts, exquisite ceramics, and intricately decorated ceiling panels. More than 60 examples from the 8th to 18th centuries are on view, made in the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The collection also includes carpets, glass and metalwork, paintings, architectural fragments, scientific instruments, and works on paper.    When: Jan 26, 2013 - Jan 26, 2014 Location:  The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Law Building, Ground Floor, 1001 Bissonnet)     For more information, visit www.mfah.org/exhibitions/al-sabah-collection.
January 25, 2014  -  Rally and March for Egypt
Celebrating Third Anniversary of Egypt Revolution   Date: January 25, 2014 Time: 11 am - 1:00 pm Location: Galleria in front of Starbucks - Intersection of Westheimer and Post Oaks      Click here for more info.
January 25, 2014  -  $10 Robotics Open Trial Session
$10 Robotics Open Trial Session Ages 6-17 Registration Required     Date: January 25, 2014 Time: Come in anytime between 12-4 pm Location: Syrian American Club, 5729 Winsome Ln., Houston, Texas 77057     Click here for the details.
January 25, 2014  -  "The Square" الميدان Film Documentary Screening
Aldostour party cordially invites all Egyptians to a gathering on the 3rd anniversary of the January 25th revolution. Please come join us and watch the documentary "The Square" الميدان, a 2013 movie directed by Jihane Noujaim. The movie is remarkable (Time Magazine), stunning (The new York Times), and Daring and provocative (The New York Magazine). The movie won the Audience Award from Sundance Film Festival 2013, and People's Choice Award from Toronto Film Festival 2013, among other awards. The movie is 1 hour 45 minutes long.   When: Saturday, January 25, 2014 Time: 4:00pm Location: Dandanah Cafe, Houston, Texas 77057
January 23, 2014  -  "Koran by Heart" Film
Film: "Koran by Heart"       In this 80-minute documentary, three 10-year old children leave their native countries to participate in one of the Islamic world's most famous competitions, a test of memory and recitation known as The International Holy Koran Competition. As the competition reaches its climax, Koran By Heart offers a compelling and nuanced glimpse into some of the pressures faced by the next generation of Muslims.   “KORAN BY HEART captures the drama of this annual international competition in Cairo, Egypt in 2010. The film follows two boys and one girl as they go head-to-head with other children, some nearly twice their age, and spotlights the second and third place winners, who have dedicated their lives to honoring their families, countries and culture through memorization of religious text.”   Date: January 23, 2014 Time: 2-4 pm Location: HCC SPRING BRANCH CAMPUS, “EAGLE ROOM”, 1010 W. SAM HOUSTON PKWY. N.   Presented by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.    For more information, visit: http://bridgingcultures.neh.gov/muslimjourneys.   Click here for event flyer.
January 17-20, 2014  -  36th Annual Original MLK Parade and Holiday Celebration
Black Heritage Society’s “MLK JR Mountain-Top Awards Gala”    Date: Friday, January 17, 2014    Place: CWA, 1730 Jefferson St., Houston, TX 77003    Time: 7:00 p.m   Black Heritage Society’s MLK Children’s March    Date: Saturday, January 18, 2014    Place: Downtown-Houston (Staging at Minute Maid Park)    Time: 10:00 a.m. (Staging Area @ Texas & Chartres)    Community Health Fair & Youth Concert    Date: Saturday, January 18, 2014    Time: 12:00 p.m. Official Unveiling of MLK Memorial Plaza    Date: Saturday, January 18, 2014    Place: MacGregor Park, (OST/MLK Blvd)    Time: 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Black Heritage Society’s MLK “Feed the Hungry” Food Drive    Date: Sunday, January 19, 2014    Place: St. Johns United Methodist Church Cathedral Hall, 2019 Crawford St.    Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Black Heritage Society’s 36th Annual “Original” MLK Birthday Parade    Date: Monday, January 20, 2014    Place: Downtown Houston at Minute Maid Park    Time: 10:00 a.m. Black Heritage Society’s MLK Community Festival    Date: Monday, January 20, 2014    Place: Downtown-Houston @ Discovery Green (Across from GRB Convention Center)    Time: 10:00 a.m.   For more information, visit http://originalmlkparade.org/.
January 18, 2014  -  Al-Istiqlal Palestinian Folklore Troupe in Houston
When: January 18, 2014 Time: 7 p.m. Location: Stafford Civic Center, 1415 Constitution Ave, Stafford, TX 77477     Tickets: $20  /  free parking     For more information, visit www.pac-usa.org, or click here for event flyer.
January 16, 2014  -  An Emerging Palestinian State: Is Institution-Building Succeeding?
Young Leaders Forum: An Emerging Palestinian State: Is Institution-Building Succeeding? Nathan Brown, George Washington University   As Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resume peace talks, a key factor in the success of a two-state solution will be the ability of Palestinians to take on the responsibilities of statehood. This includes the creation of strong institutions, without which, peace process efforts will be futile. Can the government provide internal security, an independent judiciary system, and services that address the needs of their citizens? Will economic growth in the Palestinian territories spark the kind of job creation the nation's youth needs?   When: Thursday, January 16, 2014 Time: Registration: 4:00 p.m., Program: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Location: The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oak Lane, Houston, Texas 77027   Nathan J. Brown is a professor at George Washington University and a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. A distinguished scholar and author of six books on Arab politics, Brown has also served on advisory committees for Human Rights Watch and the committees drafting the Palestinian and Iraqi constitutions.   This program is co-sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the World Affairs Council of America.   For more information, visit www.wachouston.org.
January 14, 2014  -  The Political Economy of Change & Geo-Politics of Energy in a Turbulent Middle East
Insight Series: The Political Economy of Change & Geo-Politics of Energy in a Turbulent Middle East   Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 Location: Houston, TX    For more information, click here.
January 12, 2014  -  Free Beginners Photography Class at Al-Sham Center
The Syrian American Club and the Network of Arab-Americans Professionals of Houston (NAAP-Houston) are pleased to offer a Free Beginners Photography Class (Using a DSLR Camera).   The class will be taught by Mr. Ammar Selo and will "focus" on beginner photography and on how to operate a DSLR camera. Must bring DSLR camera to class with you.    Date: Sunday, January 12, 2014 Time: 11:00am to 1:00pm Location: Al-Sham Cultural and Community Center, 5729 Winsome Lane, Houston, 77057     Minimum age is 13 years old. If there's enough interest, additional classes will be scheduled.   To sign up, please register with Ammar (832-462-4437, ammar_qatar@hotmail.com) no later than Thursday 1/9/2014.
January 11, 2014  -  International Day of Solidarity with Syria
- Show Syrians what global support they have - Condemn Russian complicity with Assad regime crimes   We'll be collectively signing a petition that will be delivered to the Hague. Bring posters, Syrian and American flags!      Date: Saturday, January 11, 2014 Time: 1 pm - 2:30 pm Location: Russian Consulate, 1333 West Loop S # 1300, Houston, TX 77027   For more info, see Day of Solidarity with Syria page: https://www.facebook.com/solidaysyria
Dec 27-28 & Jan 3-4  -  Cover the Cold: Houston-Wide Drive For Syria
What if YOU could be the one to keep a child warm this winter? What if YOU could do something to help a family in need?   It's about time that we cover the cold with the warmness of our hearts. Join us for our HOUSTON-WIDE drive for the Syrian refugees. We want ALL of Houston to take a part in this. The drive is going to last from December 27th- January 4th, but we believe that with all of us together... WE can take this to the NEXT LEVEL.   But this can't be done without your help. Helping Hand is collecting (gently used or new) 1- Clothes 2- Shoes 3- Hygiene items (NEW) 4- OTC meds (NEW) 5- Any money donations For the refugees of Syria being affected by this harsh winter.   DROP OFF DATES: Friday, December 27th Saturday, December 28th Friday, January 3rd Saturday. January 4th   CONFIRMED DROP OFF LOCATIONS: - Clear Lake Islamic Center: Sarah Radwan - Masjid El Farouq: Sara Nabhan - MAS Katy Center: Ahmed Sarraj - Masjid Bilal (Adel Masjid): Hamza Khawaja - Helping Hand Office (11955 Bissonet St): Ayub Hagi (Job Unity) - Waiting on more locations to be confirmed. If you would like get your local mosque/church/synagogue/temple/etc involved contact us and MAKE IT HAPPEN.   **Please note that you may drop off donations at the above locations on any day from the 27th-4th, but there will only be volunteers on site on the drop off dates listed above.   Everything is bigger in Texas, so let's make this the biggest drive possible. YOU CAN HELP US MAKE IT HAPPEN. :)   Click here for flyer.

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