Arab Heritage Month 2011
November 1-15. Chicago Public Schools (Durkin Park) presents: Famous Arabs and Arab World Project. Admission: Free. Students will present their projects about famous Arabs and Arab Americans that they have been researching, as well as 4th graders presenting their projects on Arab countries. Projects will be on display for the public on November 12.
November 5. 4:05 pm. Islamic and Arab Voices of Chicago presents: Arab Culture & Arab-Americans: Past, Present & Future. www.wcev1450.com. Tune in to the Islamic and Arab Voice of Chicago Community radio program every Saturday during November to listen to programming dedicated to Arab Heritage Month. Learn about Arab-Americans and Arab culture, history, achievements and accomplishments. Contact Yousif Marei (773) 879-9229.
November 6. 2:00 pm. University of Chicago Oriental Institute presents: Islam: Empire of Faith – Part I. Breasted Hall - 1155 E. 58th Street, Chicago. Admission: Free. This highly regarded two-part PBS series tells the story of Islam's first thousand years, showing how it sustained the intellectual legacies of Greece, Egypt and China, and how it brought immeasurable advances in science, medicine, and the arts to Europe in the Middle Ages. Contact Carole Krucoff (773)
702-9507.
November 12. 10:30 am. St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church presents: Christian and Muslim Dialogues: The Religious Uses of A Literary Form in the Early Islamic Middle East. 1220 S. 60th Court, Cicero. Admission: Free. Guest speaker & lecturer, Professor David Bertaina from the University of Illinois at Springfield will discuss his latest book which examines the history of interreligious discourse between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East from the pre-Islamic period until the eve of the Crusades. Contact Robert J. Sweiss (708) 945-6969. For more information visit www.stgeorgecicero.org.
November 12. 4:00 pm. Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects of Illinois presents: Semi-Annual Meeting Grand National Gala. Double Tree Hilton Ballroom – 1909 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Admission: $50. The evening’s program includes dinner and will feature speaker Dr. Usama Fayyad, Former Chief Data Officer and Executive VP of Yahoo Inc, and music by Albert Agha. Contact Bilal Al-Masri (312) 409-8560. For more information visit aaaea@aaaea.org.
November 12. 4:05 pm. Islamic and Arab Voices of Chicago presents: Arab Culture & Arab-Americans: Past, Present & Future. www.wcev1450.com. Tune in to the Islamic and Arab Voice of Chicago Community radio program every Saturday during November to listen to programming dedicated to Arab Heritage Month. Learn about Arab-Americans and Arab culture, history, achievements and accomplishments. Contact Yousif Marei (773) 879-9229.
November 12. 7:30 pm. Iraqi Student Project presents: Bridges from Baghdad Benefit Concert. Loyola University Auditorium, Lake Shore Campus, Chicago. Admission: Non-student, $15, Student, $10. Pianist, Karam Salam, will once again be performing, this time with Anton Shamoun on the violin. Two Iraqi women students will join in Iraqi folk music along with some of Karam’s original compositions. Contact Margaret Sents (847) 657-6807.
November 13. 10:30 am. Arab American Family Services presents: Celebrating Our Heritage, Embracing Our Future. Belvedere Chateau - 8055 W. 103rd St., Palos Hills. Admission: Non-Student, $50, Student (with ID), $25. AAFS is celebrating Arab Heritage Month with a special sit-down luncheon that includes comedy by Amer Zahr. No children under 16. Contact Nareman Taha (708) 717-6095. For more information, visit www.arabamericanfamilyservices.org.
November 13. 12:30 pm. Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects presents: Odyssey Cruise at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Admission: Adults, $65, Children ages 4-12, $35, and Free for children under the age of 4. The Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects in Illinois (AAAEA)-IL cordially invites you to experience an amazing brunch cruise on the Odyssey. The Odyssey represents: elegance at its best, creative plated cuisine, and live entertainment. Contact Bilal Al-Masri (312) 409-8560. For more information, visit aaaea@aaaea.org.
November 13. 2:00 pm. University of Chicago Oriental Institute presents:: Islam: Empire of Faith – Part II. Breasted Hall - 1155 E. 58th Street, Chicago. Admission: Free. This highly regarded two-part PBS series tells the story of Islam's first thousand years, showing how it sustained the intellectual legacies of Greece, Egypt and China, and how it brought immeasurable advances in science, medicine, and the arts to Europe in the Middle Ages. Contact Carole Krucoff (773) 702-9507.
November 13. 3:00 pm. Jasmin Jahal School of Dance presents: Intro to Belly Dance. 4037 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago. Admission: $20. Learn the art of authentic belly dance and get a fun workout with world-renown instructor. Contact Jasmin Jahal, 773 777.4037 or jasminjahal@hotmail.com. For more information on Jasmin Jahal School of Dance visit www.BestBellyDanceChicago.com.
November 15. 7:00 pm. Students for Justine in Palestine presents: Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) Fundraising Dinner. UIC Student Center East, Illinois Room. Admission: Non-student, $45, Students, $20. Please join SJP as we host our first ever Fundraising Dinner for Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), in which all proceeds raised will go directly to PCRF and support their upcoming medical mission. The event will include live music and performances, delicious Middle Eastern food, an exciting art gallery, raffle/auction, fun activities for children, and a night filled with charity & unity. Contact Omar Alkaissi (773) 370-3735. For more information on PCRF, visit www.pcrf.net.
November 16. 10:00 am. Annual Courthouse Tour. Chief Judge Timothy Evans will host a courthouse tour of the Daley Center for Arab American Students with Judge William Haddad. Daley Center – 50 West Washington (between Clark and Dearborn). Admission: Free. Contact Melissa Pacella (312) 603-1927.
November 17. 5:00 pm. Arab American Family Services presents: Arab Connections. Chicago Children’s Museum - Navy Pier. Admission: Free. Explore the rich culture and heritage of Chicago’s Arab community by enjoying lively performances and hands-on projects facilitated by partners from Arab American Family Services. Nareman Taha (708) 599-2237.
November 17. 5:30 pm. Arab American Action Network presents: Family Reading Night. Bridgeview Public Library - 7840 W. 79th Street. Admission: Free. The Bridgeview Library and Arab American Action Network will host a family reading night. The theme “Reading…Takes You Places.” We will offer stories and activities from around the world. Contact Hatem Abudayyah (773) 436-6060.
November 17. Time & Location TBD. Network of Arab American Professionals presents: Professional Networker. Admission: $15 in advance, $20 at door. Contact Tawfiq Farraj at tfarraj@gmail.com for more information.
November 18. 7:00 pm. Pineapple Dance Studio presents: Kay Fetch (Come Dance). Old Town School of Folk Music Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago. Admission: General Public $18, Old Town School Members $16, Seniors and Children $14. Journey on a caravan of dance and music to discover a blend of African and Arab expressions across West and North African cultures. Travel with Idy Ciss, assistant director of Muntu Dance Theatre and Erika Ochoa, artistic director of Baladina Dance Company, as they guide you across the African continent, visiting Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Hear original music composed for this production, featuring African and Middle Eastern instruments. For more information, visit www.oldtownschool.org/concerts.
November 19. 11:00 am. Egyptians Abroad for Development & Wilbur Wright College's Culture Events Committee present: Egyptian Film "Hassan and Marcus" Screening & Discussion. Wilbur Wright College-Events Building, 4300 N Narragansett, Chicago. Admission: Free. The event is co-sponsored by Egyptians Abroad for Development (www.eadone.org) and Wilbur Wright College's Culture Events Committee (wright.ccc.edu). The film addresses issues of religious extremism, intolerance and sectarian violence, and emphasizes the possibility of friendship and love between members of different religions. Hassan and Marcus doesn't attempt to name the reasons for the tension between Christians and Muslims. But according to the political writer and Coptic Christian Sameh Fawzi, the conflicts have nothing to do with religion.
November 19. 4:05 pm. Islamic and Arab Voices of Chicago presents: Arab Culture & Arab-Americans: Past, Present & Future. www.wcev1450.com. Tune in to the Islamic and Arab Voice of Chicago Community radio program every Saturday during November to listen to programming dedicated to Arab Heritage Month. Learn about Arab-Americans and Arab culture, history, achievements and accomplishments. Contact Yousif Marei (773) 879-9229.
November 19. 6:30 pm. Arab American Women’s Association presents: The Arabian Night. Bridgeview Community Center – 7900 S. Oketo Ave., Bridgeview. Admission: $10. Join the Arab American Women’s Association in celebrating the Arabian Night. Learn about Arab culture and enjoy entertainment including music, dabkeh, fashion show, and henna art. Beverages and sweets will be served. Contact Kawthar Othman (708) 781-8803.
November 19. 8:00 pm. Al-Hadath Al-Dawli Newspaper presents: Bad Arab. 10039 S. Roberts Rd, Palos Hills. Admission: Suggested donation of $10 (for Arab American Women's Association programs). Join us to watch the film Bad Arab. The film focuses on how mass media created a negative image of Arabs, especially after 9/11. Learn about the challenges and accomplishments that the Arab-American community faces every day. Everyone is welcome to attend this event. Refreshments will be served. Contact Kawthar Othman (708) 237-0705.
November 23. 10:00 am. Arab American Action Network presents: Celebrating Civic Engagement and Graduation. 7260 W. 93rd Street, Bridgeview. Admission: Free. Celebrating civic engagement and graduation with immigrant women in the Arab community, hosted by Muslim Community Center. Contact Rasmea Yousef (773) 436-6060.
November 23. 6:00 pm. Chicago Public Library presents: Arabic-English Biligual Storytime. Chicago Public Library, Mayfair Branch – 4400 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Admission: Free. Come enjoy Arabic-English storytime for children ages 3 to 7 years old. Contact (312) 744-1254.
November 26. 4:05 pm. Islamic and Arab Voices of Chicago presents: Arab Culture & Arab-Americans: Past, Present & Future. www.wcev1450.com. Tune in to the Islamic and Arab Voice of Chicago Community radio program every Saturday during November to listen to programming dedicated to Arab Heritage Month. Learn about Arab-Americans and Arab culture, history, achievements and accomplishments. Contact Yousif Marei (773) 879-9229.