International Book Club with ArabLit and Alice Guthrie
2023-03-23 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
About the Book
Malika Moustadraf is a cult feminist icon in contemporary Moroccan literature, celebrated for her uncompromising depiction of life on the margins.
Something Strange, Like Hunger presents Moustadraf’s collected short fiction: haunting, visceral stories by a master of the genre. Here, we tune into Casablanca’s unheard: a sex worker struggling to keep warm on the streets; a housewife flirting with strangers online; a kidney patient, priced-out of treatment, facing the harsh reality of his condition; and a mother scheming to ensure her daughter passes a virginity test. Something Strange, Like Hunger is a sharp provocation to patriarchal power, and a celebration of the life and genius of one of Morocco’s preeminent writers.
About the Author
Malika Moustadraf (1969–2006) was a writer from Casablanca, Morocco, celebrated for her distinctive style and experimental language. An exacting social critic, she wrote unflinchingly about life in the margins and was persecuted for her taboo-busting subject matter. Denied the life-saving treatment she needed, Moustadraf died at thirty-seven of kidney disease, leaving behind a semiautobiographical novel and a collection of short stories. Something Strange, Like Hunger is the first full-length translation of her work into any language.
About the Translator
Alice Guthrie is an independent translator, editor and curator specialising in contemporary Arabic writing. Her work often focuses on subaltern voices, activist art and queerness (winning her the 2019 Jules Chametzky Translation Prize). She programmed the literary strand of London’s Arab arts biennale Shubbak Festival between 2015 and 2019, and has curated queer Arab arts events for the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Outburst International Queer Arts Festival and Arts Canteen. Guthrie teaches translation at the University of Exeter and the University of Birmingham.

Arabic Chat Hour
2023-03-23 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-03-30 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-04-06 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-04-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
Whether you’re a native speaker or learner, this is a great chance to practice listening and speaking in Arabic!
Zoom room number provided upon registeration.

Reading of a Play: Nubian Stories
2023-03-25 14:00 - 16:00 | WA
Nubian Stories by Nabra Nelson & Mona Sherif Nelson
directed by Lia Fakhouri
featuring Ifrah Mansour as Sabila, and Hanna Eady on the oud
Produced by Dunya Productions

In a private home in Burien – see ticket for details.

International Day of Lebanese Emigrant 2023
2023-03-25 18:30 - 21:30 | WA
Join us for a night of culture, and short films. Followed by a social hour, dessert and refreshments

Nature Around Us - March - Formal Arabic Classes for Kids
2023-03-27 10:00 - 10:30 | Virtual
Four sessions of dialogue in classical Arabic are suitable for children between the ages of 4-8 years. The dialogues will be about topics related to the nature around us. These dialogues will be via the Zoom application with Mr. Mustafa Abu Saleh. Every Monday at 10 am Pacific time for half an hour.

Join MELAW at the 2023 Joint Minority Membership Program
2023-03-30 18:15 - 21:00 | Foster Garvey, 1111 3rd Ave 30th Fl, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
2023 Joint Minority Membership Program!

Thursday, March 30, 2023
6:15pm-9:00pm
1111 3rd Ave Ste 3000, Seattle, WA 98101

Register TODAY!

JMMP aims to pair law students and new lawyers in Washington State (from historically under-represented groups) with mentor attorneys and judges (from all walks of life, including allies) to support mentees as they prepare to enter and navigate their legal careers.
Participants will be formally matched, and pairs will create their own agreement regarding discussion topics, meetings, and follow-up. The formal program will last through the end of 2023. But we hope the relationships will continue beyond. Register below to attend the Kick-Off Event on March 30th from 6:15-9 pm at Foster Garvey’s law office: 1111 3rd Ave Ste 3000, Seattle, WA 98101.

Music: Tavia Rhodes, Intisaar, and Ayako Okano (Tsubaki)
2023-03-30 19:30 - 21:00 | Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA, 98107, United States
Intisaar is a Seattle-based singer, composer, and acoustic/electric powerhouse.

Solidarity in storytelling: Meet & Greet with Fadi Abu Shammalah from Gaza!
2023-03-31 19:00 - 21:00 | WA
Meet and hear from Fadi Abu Shammalah, the manager of Donkeysaddle’s Palestine Grassroots Distribution Project, who is visiting from Gaza!

Virtual screening of the documentary film "Britain in Palestine 1917-1948"
2023-04-01 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual
To register for this event please click here.
Screening will start at 12:00 Noon US EDT; 7:00 PM Palestine Time 18 minutes, English. The film screening will be followed by Q&A discussion with Sir Vincent Fean, a British diplomat, and John McHugo, a British historian.
About the Film
The film investigates the contradictory promises and actions which defined British Mandatory rule in Palestine and laid the groundwork for the Nakba (the catastrophe) and the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.

Arabic School: Saturdays in Kent
2023-04-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Kent Meridian High School, 10020 SE 256th St, Kent, WA, 98030
Our Arabic School provides those who want to learn Arabic the opportunity to fine-tune their knowledge. Our classes are held weekly at Kent Meridian High School for our kids and youth.
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Program Eligibility Requirements:
– Elementary or middle-school age children
– Living in King County

When: Saturdays
Time: 10-12
Where: Kent Meridian High School (10020 SE 256th St, Kent, WA 98030)

Fatma Said (soprano) with Rafael Aguirre (guitar) - virtual concert
2023-04-01 20:00 - 21:30 | WA
Soprano Fatma Said and guitarist Rafael Aguirre bring the beauty of Arabic and Spanish cultures together to create a sublime and illuminating experience that you won’t want to miss.
Fatma Said, making her United States recital debut with this performance, began her singing career at age fourteen in Cairo. She has since become a frequent principal at Teatro alla Scala and other opera houses and festivals across Europe. She maintains a busy schedule as a soloist with orchestras as well, appearing locally in the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s 2019 performances and recording of Suor Angelica. Of her latest album El Nour, which means ‘the light,’” in Arabic, Fatma says, “I feel I am shedding light on how music that has been interpreted many times in the past can be presented in different ways—in other words, it can be perceived in a different light. The idea is to connect three cultures—Arabic, French, and Spanish—and to show how much, despite cultural, geographical, and historical differences, they have in common when it comes to music.”

The program features Spanish, Egyptian, Brazilian, and Lebanese songs, including works by Manuel de Falla, Daoud Hosni, Heitor Villa-Lobos, contemporary Egyptian composer Sherif Mohie El Din, and many more.

Cooking Class: Arabic Mezze
2023-04-05 18:30 - 21:00 | Book Larder, 4252 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98103, United States
Welcome to the world of mezze! In this hands-on class, Nadia Tommalieh will show you how to create a delicious and traditional spread of small plates, known as “Mokabelat” aka mezze, that are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
You’ll start with Muhammara, a spicy and nutty dip made from roasted red peppers, walnuts, and pomegranate molasses. Next, we’ll move on to make freshly baked Musakhan Rolls, spiced chicken and caramelized onions wrapped in bread buns. You’ll learn how to make the filling, the dough, and bake them to perfection.
Next, you’ll prepare Eggplant Raheb, a smoky and tangy eggplant salad and then finish with Labaneh bil Avocado w Za’atar, a creamy and tangy labneh and avocado dip that’s perfect for pairing with the other dishes. You will enjoy everything we make with freshly baked crispy pita chips.
Class is limited to 11 students and is hands-on. Includes dinner.
Please note that event registration is non-refundable and non-transferable between classes.

Salt of This Sea: Streaming
2023-04-06 - 2023-04-09 | Virtual
Soraya, born in Brooklyn in a working class community of Palestinian refugees, discovers that her grandfather’s savings were frozen in a bank account in Jaffa when he was exiled in 1948. Stubborn, passionate and determined to reclaim what is hers, she fulfills her life-long dream of “returning” to Palestine. Slowly she is taken apart by the reality around her and is forced to confront her own internal anger. She meets Emad, a young Palestinian whose ambition, contrary to hers, is to leave forever. Tired of the constraints that dictate their lives, they know in order to be free, they must take things into their own hands, even if it’s illegal.

Streaming virtually through Arab Film Media Institute (AFMI)

The Desert Rocker: Streaming
2023-04-06 - 2023-04-09 | Virtual
THE DESERT ROCKER won Best Feature Documentary at last year’s Arab Film Festival and we are excited to host an in-person screening in NYC and to make it available for streaming online, together with a pre-recorded Talkback with director Sara Nacer.
This screening is presented in partnership with YallaPunk.
About The Desert Rocker:
The Desert Rocker is an intimate, witty and profound portrait of the extraordinary Hasna El Becharia, a pioneer Gnawa artist. The first musician to break through the social barrier of this culture, she empowers and inspires women of all ages by reclaiming a musical tradition reserved for men for centuries. A singularly talented artist, she leads women to redefine their roles and challenge cultural norms, one musical performance at a time.

Movie: Sirens: Streaming
2023-04-06 - 2023-04-09 | Virtual
A powerful documentary, SIRENS is not to be missed! Join us in NY on April 8th or stream it online, together with a pre-recorded Talkback with director Rita Baghdadi.
This screening is presented in partnership with YallaPunk.
About Sirens:
On the outskirts of Beirut, Lilas and her thrash metal bandmates have big dreams but few opportunities. When the band’s appearance at a UK music festival isn’t the life-changer they had hoped for, Lilas comes home to Lebanon on the brink of collapse. At the same time, the complicated relationship between Lilas and her fellow guitarist Shery starts to fracture. The future of her band, her country, and her dreams now all at stake, Lilas faces a crossroad.

Set of Experimental Short Films: Measures of Longing: Streaming
2023-04-06 - 2023-04-09 | Virtual
This set of experimental short films explores the connections between language, memory, and home. While inseparable elements for some, for others they pose the very obstacles preventing them from connecting to their identities. With this in mind, the filmmakers question how language shapes our memories of home and––inversely––how our recollections of the past are sculpted by the mother tongue we did (or did not) learn to speak. The films are poetic in form and content and take us on a journey from the coasts of Egypt to the water wheels of Hama, Syria to an abandoned family home in Baghdad. They beautifully weave images of texts, nature, cityscapes, and personal archives to convey a perpetual longing for a life that could have been.

About the filmmaker:
Randa Ali is a writer and director working between Los Angeles and Cairo. She is a 4th year MFA candidate at UCLA’s directing program, where she is a recipient of the Hani Farsi scholarship, a full-ride award to female filmmakers from the Arab world. Randa’s work often explores themes of alienation, defeat and the desire to connect in a continuously changing world. She is interested in telling stories of individuals through their relationship with their cities. In 2022, Randa was a recipient of the Delia Salvi Memorial Award for Directing the Actor. She is currently in post-production for her latest short film, Mango, and in development for her first feature film project, Gigi. In addition to making films, Randa was a journalist in Egypt for nearly 8 years.

Marhaba at the Burke Museum
2023-04-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-04-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Burke Museum, 4303 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
April is Arab American Heritage Month
Marhaba or مرحبا is ‘hello’ in Arabic
All are welcome on this guided journey through the museum to learn more about how Arab inventions and research have shaped our lives.
Learn more about other events celebrating Arab American Heritage Month. Download flyer.

Social Hour (in-person) - Arabic Language Meetup
2023-04-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Optimism Brewing Company, 1158 Broadway, Seattle, WA, 98122, United States
It’s been a while since we got together in person.. join us and say hi, whether you are fluent in Arabic or just interested in the culture!

Journey to Nubia: The Land of Gold
2023-04-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Highline Heritage Museum, 819 SW 152nd St, Burien, WA, 98166, United States
A cultural presentation & story-sharing by Nubian artist and Co-Director of the Nubian Foundation, Nabra Nelson.
Part of our celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month.

Moroccan Community Iftar
2023-04-08 19:30 - 21:00 | Northgate Community Center, 10510 5th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98125, United States
Moroccan Community Iftar
w/ WAMA (Washington American Moroccan Association)

Eat like a Sultan! Cooking In The Muslim Medieval Ages
2023-04-09 06:00 - 08:00 | Virtual
The Arabic culinary tradition is one of the oldest and most prolific in the world, with an output totalling over four thousand recipes across ten known extant culinary manuals from al-Andalus in the West, to Cairo, Aleppo and Baghdad in the East, and spanning a period of five hundred years, between the 9th and the 13th centuries.
In addition to dishes, there are recipes for beverages, condiments, pickles, as well as hand-washing powders and perfumes. The talk will provide an overview of this tradition and discuss some of the salient features of this rich culinary legacy.
Presented by: Prof. Daniel L. Newman, Chair of Arabic, Director of Studies at Durham University
Hosted by: Karen Shannon, Chief Executive of Manchester Histories

Community Gathering on Rachel’s Birthday and Twenty Years of RCF
2023-04-10 18:30 - 21:00 | South Bay Grange, 3918 Sleater-Kinney Rd NE, Olympia, WA, 98506, United States
On Monday, April 10th, the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice will mark Rachel’s 44th birthday with a celebration of the foundation’s 20 years of work in the Olympia community, Gaza, and beyond – and with a look to the future. Hear from our community, from those who have worked with us, and from those who have lived the issues the foundation addresses. The event will feature:

Dessert, tea, and coffee
Voices from RCF, from Olympia, from our region, and from Gaza
Open Mic
Connections with Partner Organizations
Dancing with the Seattle-based Jafra Dabke Team

Whether you’ve been with us on our twenty-year journey or want to learn more, we invite you to join us at this community gathering, Monday, April 10, 6:30-9:00 pm, at South Bay Grange, 3918 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506.

Remember and celebrate!
Please note this event is in-person, free, and open to the public.

Stories to Broaden Understanding: Diana Abu-Jaber
2023-04-11 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Author Diane Abu-Jaber will be taking about her newest book, Fencing with the King.

Born to an American mother and a Jordanian father, Diana Abu-Jaber now teaches writing and literature at Portland State University in Oregon. She is the author of the highly-acclaimed memoirs Life Without a Recipe and The Language of Baklava as well as the novels Crescent and Birds of Paradise. Abu-Jaber will be talking about her newest book, Fencing with the King, which has been described as a “mesmerizing breakthrough novel of family myths and inheritances.”
In partnership with Montgomery County Middle Eastern American Advisory Group, Office of Community Partnerships and Baltimore Luxor Alexandria Sister City Committee.
Registration required. As part of County Government, MCPL does not collect personal information other than for the purpose of providing programs or services.
The Zoom link to participate in the program will be sent to registrants 24 hours before the event.
NEW: You will need to be signed into Zoom to attend this program via the web.
To sign in, you must first create a free account: https://zoom.us/signup
Once you are signed in on Zoom, return to this page and click on the link below to join the program.

Poetry Workshop on Arabic Poetry Forms
2023-04-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Virtual
Workshop Description
Depending how you say it, “ghazal” is either a gazelle or a type of poem. So if you really wanted to, you could write en-DEERing poetry with us! In honor of April’s commemoration as National Poetry Month and Arab American Heritage Month, this BrainTrust explores some traditional and contemporary forms and styles found in MENA and Arab American poetry.
Instructed by Nadia Alamah

The Palestinian Bakery with Nadia Tommalieh
2023-04-12 18:00 - 21:00 | the Pantry, 1417 NW 70th Street, Seattle, WA, 98117
Sfeeha yafawiyeh is a traditional Palestinian pastry made with dough that is rolled thin, stuffed, twisted into a spiral, and baked with olive oil. These little twirls are a showstopping addition to any feast, and in this class Nadia Tommalieh will teach you how to make traditional Yafawiyeh dough and a variety of savory and sweet fillings. On the menu: sfeeha yafawiyeh (spiced beef and onion-stuffed pinwheels); yafawiyeh bil jebneh wa za’atar (akawai cheese and zaatar-stuffed pinwheels); and nabulsi tamriyeh (pocket pastries stuffed with semolina pudding, fried and dusted with powdered sugar and pistachios). You’ll enjoy your freshly made pastries with khiar bil na’na (yogurt mint sauce) and salatet jarjeer w shamander (arugula, beets and pine nuts salad with olive oil and pomegranate molasses dressing).

Narrative w/ For Us, With Us, By Us - لنا، عنّا، معنا
2023-04-13 07:00 - 08:00 | Virtual
By For Us, With Us, By Us – لنا، عنّا، معنا
Farah, Nadia, Naïma and Nadia will be discussing how they interweave narratives from the SWANA region into their diverse practices.
