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.

2019 Events	Click here for a list of UPCOMING events._

December 22, 2019  -  Maryam Islamic Center's Winterfest Bring your family and friends for some quality time at the Masjid for our first ever Winterfest! A Carnival that is meant to be in the winter time! Whether it is cold or the usual Houston climate, you will have a great time at the Bazaar while your kids have activities like carnival rides, petting zoo, or even making their own s'mores. Food Vendors such as Gyro King, Fadis, and more will be onsite selling their best dishes.   We will also have Islamic trivia for the kids to answer questions and win prizes. So bring your uncle, aunty, neighbor, grandchild whomever to one of the best experiences in town.   Date: Sunday, December 22, 2019 Time: 4 PM – 10 PM Location: Maryam Islamic Center, 504 Sartartia Rd, Sugar Land, Texas 77479   For more information, feel free to contact the Carnival team:     Bazaaar Vendor Coordinators: Isra Ahmed, 667 231 9226   Food Vendor Coordinator: Shayan Sajid, 832 570 3800   Volunteer Coordinators: Shatha Abushaika, 832 361 2117   Sponsor Coordinator: Taha Baig, 832 814 2413   Carnival Head: Zain Khan, 832-382-1675             December 14, 2019  -  Christmas In the Middle East: Mediterranean Brunch with Baba Noël    AN ARABIAN CHRISTMAS AT THE ARAB AMERICAN CENTER   Taste of Christmas Traditions in the Middle East!   Date: Saturday, December 14, 2019 Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.   Join us for fun activities and program!  -Enjoy a Taste of a Mediterranean Brunch  -Learn about Christmas festivities and traditions from several Arab countries  -HO HO HO !! Baba Noël (Santa Clause) is here! Enjoy FREE pictures with Santa  -Special Performance at 2 p.m.: Sing along Christmas Carols in Arabic and English!   Do not miss it!   Kindly note that all tickets need to be booked online and purchased ahead of time prior to the event. We cannot guarantee tickets availability at the door. We thank you for your understanding.   Admission Tickets:   Adults: $7 per person   Children: $5 per child (Children less than 2 years old are free)   Brunch, activity center for kids, music, picture with Santa are all included in the ticket entry.   Ticket sales will close by Thursday December 12th by 12 p.m.                  December 8, 2019  -  CAIR-Houston 18th Anniversary Gala    For 18 years, CAIR-Houston has worked for you in every corner of this city to combat Islamophobia, promote justice, and enhance the understanding of Islam. As a leading voice for the Houston Muslim community, CAIR-Houston establishes and maintains working relationships with local, state, and federal government institutions and their representatives.   Join CAIR-Houston and over 500 Houstonian ambassadors, influencers, and community leaders for our fundraising event on December 8th at the Hyatt Regency located in the heart of Houston. The gala will help raise funds for our chapter programs and initiatives geared towards educating, empowering, and advocating for the protection of civil rights for the Greater Houston community.   Date: December 8, 2019 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Hyatt Regency, 1200 Louisiana St., Houston, TX 77002     We invite you to attend, sponsor, and help us celebrate local heroes and build a better community together.   Click to RSVP!                    December 6, 2019  -  NAAP Houston-Holiday Dinner with Amer Zahr   We would like to invite you to our Holiday Dinner benefiting Palestinian Children Relief Fund (PCRF) on December 6th from 7:30 -9:30 PM at Churrascos Westchase.   Special guest: Comedian and activist Amer Zahr   Date: December 6, 2019 Time: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM Location: Churrascos Westchase, 9705 Westheimer Rd, Houston, Texas 77042      Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.                    November 29-December 1, 2019  -  ICNA-MAS Regional Convention   Join Us on this Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov 29- Dec 1 for the 13th Annual ICNA-MAS Regional Convention at Houston Marriott Westchase Insha’Allah.   A wonderful event for the entire family! We have an outstanding program lined up for everyone! Highlights:  - Your Favorite Speakers!  - Mega Bazaar  - Midnight Basketball Tournament  - Annual Ping Pong Championship  - Fun Rides  - Exhibitions  - Interactive Presentations  - Youth ONLY sessions  - Hands on Workshops   ICNA-MAS Regional Convention Team: Convention@icnahouston.org   Register at http://icnatexas.org/registration/.                 November 23, 2019  -  Fund Raising Event in Support of Gaza     Join us for a fundraising event to raise support for the needy people in Gaza.   The humanitarian crisis is escalating and without needed medical supplies and diagnostic equipment; more lives are put at risk. Life needs your dedicated support to continue sending medical aid to help the people.   Entertainment by Mohmmed Abu Sumayah Special performance by Turab Beladi   Date: Saturday, November 23, 2019 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston    For more information, contact Alaa at 248-225-6663.   www.lifeusa.org                          November 22, 2019  -  Ladies Night Gathering at Bait Al-Arab (ACC)      The ACC Ladies' Night Out Group At Bait Al-Arab (ACC)    The ladies at Bait Al Arab welcomes all community ladies to our monthly gathering.   Our speaker for the month is Ms. Nahida Nabulsi. She will present Essential Oil 101 class to talk about health, modern medicine, and how to alleviate the most common ailments such a digestive issues, pain, inflammation, stress, and aging with natural gifts of the Earth, in an interaction and games setting.   Join us for a night full of fun dancing entertained and games, raffle Door prize, Bazaar, and much more.   Date: Friday, November 22, 2019 Time: 6 pm-9 pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston   Dress up In Orange and or Brown to show the spirit of Fall.   TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT, please click HERE   Kids between age of 3 and 10 will have to be in a separate room with the babysitter, No exceptions please! Babysitting will be charged $5.00/child . TO RESERVE A SEAT TO YOUR CHILD, please click HERE   The ACC does not bear responsibility for any harm that could happen to your child who is not baby seated. To book a table for the Bazaar, please contact (832) 351-3366.                   November 21, 2019  -  Lecture on Iraqi Uprising by Dr. Sinan Antoon (in Arabic)       A lecture about the current Iraqi uprising (in Arabic) by Iraqi-born NYU associate professor Sinan Antoon.     The speaker will analyze the causes, impact, and consequences of the uprising. الكاتب والشاعر والمترجم العراقي المولد سنان انطون أستاذ الأدب في جامعة نيويورك 11-21-19 يستضيف المركز الاجتماعي العربي الأمريكي والمؤسسة العربية الأمريكية للتربية الكاتب والشاعر والمترجم العراقي المولد سنان انطون أستاذ الأدب في جامعة نيويورك ليتحدث عن إنتفاضة تشرين العراقية   السادسة والنصف من مساء الخميس المصادف الثاني عشر من تشرين الثاني 2019 ماكتب عن الانتفاضة لحد ألان أغلبه تقارير صحفية أو إخبارية أما موضوعنا فسوف يكون تحليل ثقافي أكاديمي لهذا الحدث التاريخي : اسبابه ، أدواته، اهدافه ، و مستقبله   .نرجو الحضور والمشاركة في النقاش الذي سوف يديره عزيز الشيباني Space is limited. Please RSVP by sending email to aaef@theaaef.org.   Date: Thursday, November 21, 2019 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Arab-American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston, 77099    The lecture is sponsored by the AAEF and ACC.             November 20, 2019  -  "Iraq Afterwards: Epistemic Violence and Poetic (In)Justice" by Dr. Sinan Antoon       The Center for Arab Studies and the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Arab Studies warmly invite you to the Inaugural Lecture of the Michael and Hoda Kardoush Lecture Series.   "Iraq Afterwards: Epistemic Violence and Poetic (In)Justice" by Dr. Sinan Antoon   Sinan Antoon is an Iraqi-born poet, novelist, scholar, and translator. He studied at Baghdad, Georgetown, and Harvard. He has published two collections of poetry and four novels. His most recent work is The Book of Collateral Damage (Yale University Press, 2019). His literary works have been translated to fourteen languages. His translations include In the Presence of Absence by Mahmoud Darwish, which won the American Literary Translators Association Prize. Antoon’s translation of his own novel, The Corpse Washer, won the 2014 Saif Ghobash Prize for Literary Translation. His scholarly works include The Poetics of the Obscene: Ibn al-Hajjaj and Sukhf (Palgrave, 2014) and articles on the poetry of Mahmoud, Darwish, Sargon Boulus, and Saadi Youssef. His op-eds have appeared in The Guardian, The New York Times and many pan-Arab newspapers and journals. In 2003 Antoon returned to his native Baghdad to co-produce About Baghdad, a documentary about the lives of Iraqis under occupation. He is co-founder and co-editor of Jadaliyya and associate professor at New York University.     Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 Time: Reception @ 6 pm, Lecture @ 6:30 Location: Hilton Hotel, University of Houston, Conrad Ballroom      Click here for event flyer.                           November 17, 2019  -  Free Health Awareness Event       Date: Sunday, November 17, 2019 Time: 1 - 4 pm Location: Arab-American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston, 77099    Click here for event flyer.                           November 16, 2019  -  The National Arab Orchestra Presents: Building Bridges Through Music featuring Abeer Nehme    The Houston Arab communities and organizations cordially invite you to the premier of the National Arab Orchestra (NAO) featuring Abeer Nehme and the Houston Youth Arabic Choir. The NAO is a nonprofit institution established in Michigan in 2009, with the mission of preserving and integrating Arab culture through music education and performance. Orchestra members are musicians from both Arab and non-Arab backgrounds from across the nation. The National Arab Orchestra has performed in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Flint, Jacksonville, Miami, and San Antonio.   A sample of previous shows around the country: NAO Previous Concert.   Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019 Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Location: Stude Concert Hall, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005   To contact us, please email us: Houston@ArabOrchestra.org or call/WhatsApp at: 1-713-203-1942    To reserve your seat for this outstanding performance, click here.                           November 16, 2019  -  AAAEA-Houston Social     Arab American Association of Engineers, Architects & IT Professionals    Join us for Networking, Music, Games and Family Fun! AAAEA-Houston will be hosting our November social at Woodbridge Community Center. The venue has a playground for children, so feel free to bring along the whole family. Food and drinks will be provided.   Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019 Time: 1:00 PM Location: Woodbridge Community Center, 11201 Lake Woodbridge Drive, Sugar Land 77498   For more information email us at: aaaeahoustonevents@gmail.com    Click here for event flyer.                           November 16, 2019  -  Palestine In American Politics       From the homeland to the heartland   Presented by Dr. Osama Abuirshaid Executive Director, American Muslims for Palestine   Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019 Time: 7:30 pm Location: MAS Katy Center, 1800 Baker Rd., Houston, TX 77094     Click here for more details/event flyer.                           November 9-10, 2019  -  Islamic Arts Festival   The 6th annual Islamic Arts Festival will be held on the 9th and 10th of November 2019. Islamic Arts Festival is the biggest of its kind in the Americas! See over 10,000 sq feet of a variety of Islamic Art. This year the Festival will also feature “Refugee Art” from overseas and locally.   The two day Islamic Arts Festival is the largest and oldest festival of its kind in North America and attracts over 5000 people each year. The art show will feature the art of over 40 artists. In addition there will be live interactive sessions on calligraphy, henna tattoo, Ebru, painting, Arabesque pattern coloring and lots of children’s activities. Have a fun day with the family with kids activities, halal food trucks and great art.    Date: November 9-10, 2019 Time: 10:30am - 5:30pm Location: Masjid AlSalam, 16700 Old Louetta Road, Spring, TX 77379   The event is free and everyone is welcome for this fun filled family oriented event!   For more information, visit www.islamicartssociety.org.                    November 9, 2019  -  Shop The Arabian Bazaar    The Palestinian American Cultural Center of Houston in partnership with the Arab American Cultural & Community Center present "Shop The Arabian Bazaar".   Discover and support Arab-Owned businesses and help strengthen the Arab community in Houston.   We invite you to join us at our 1st Arabian Bazaar where local business will showcase their products to Houstonians! Discover Arab-owned businesses and shop local. While you’re there, grab a bite from local food trucks serving delicious food and desserts! Join us as we strengthen the Arab community in Houston.   Date: November 9, 2019 Time: 10 am - 6 pm Location: Arab-American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston, 77099   Entry fee: FREE , Parking: FREE   If you are interested in being a vendor, please email us at bazaar@pacchouston.com or DM us on social media! Limited spots available.   Click here for event flyer.                    November 7, 2019  -  "The Feeling Of Being Watched" Film Screening    THE FEELING OF BEING WATCHED (Tribeca 2018) is first-person investigative documentary in which director Assia Boundaoui uncovers one of the largest FBI terrorism probes conducted before 9/11, code-named Operation Vulgar Betrayal, that targeted her Arab and Muslim-American neighborhood in Chicago.   CAIR-Houston, PBS POV, and the Palestinian Youth Movement invite the Houston community to join us for a FREE screening and post-screening town-hall conversation about unwarranted government surveillance, civil rights and collective healing in our American Muslim communities.     Date: Thursday, November 7, 2019 Time: DOORS: 6:30 PM | SCREENING: 7:00 PM Location: Houston Public Media | University of Houston, 4343 Elgin Street | Houston 77204 **FREE PARKING**      www.feelingofbeingwatched.com                       November 1, 2019  -  Comedy For A Cause in Houston   Join us for ICNA Relief's annual Comedy For A Cause tour, coming to Houston on November 1st! Let's get together for an evening of fun, laughter and great food!   We're just a month away - get your tickets before those seats fill up. https://www.icnarelief.org/comedytourhouston    Date: November 1, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Location: Arab-American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston, 77099                     October 31, 2019 (deadline)  -  ACC 2019-2020 Scholarship    The Arab American Cultural and Community Center is pleased to announce the annual College Scholarship Program for Arab American students who seek or currently attend a College or University. The application period will run from Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019 to Thursday, October 31st, 2019.   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 enrolled in accredited Senior High School, College, or University. And of Arabic origins.   2. Submit prove of enrollment in accredited Senior High School, College, or University in USA.   3. 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.   4. 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.   5. Attach an official transcript of your grades from your high school and college (if you have begun taking classes).   6. 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 October 31st, 2019. Scholarship recipient will be notified starting November 30th, 2019.   Scholarship will be paid into 2 payments. Last payment made after the volunteering hours have been completed to satisfaction.   Click here to download ACC Scholarship Application Pack. For more information, please email: nervin@acchouston.org.   Disclaimer: The ACC is a nonprofit, nonpolitical and non-religious institution with the sole mission to serve the Arab American community through cultural programs, outreach and social services; promoting Arab heritage and fostering a greater understanding of Arab Culture among the Houston community at large by serving as a liaison and resource center.               October 27, 2019  -  Houston Stands With Lebanon   Join the Lebanese community in solidarity to protest the current state of the Lebanese Government. This will be an event to show support from Houston to our Beloved Lebanon. We will be getting together as a nation. THIS EVENT WILL NOT INCLUDE ANY SECTORS OR RELIGION. We are Lebanese first and demand an urgent and immediate action from the Lebanese Government.   Please wear white shirts and bring with you signs* and Lebanese flags. If you would like, bring a USA flag as well.   * = Your signs will be checked against vulgar language. We are not protesting against neither a specific political sector nor religion. We' re protesting for a better Lebanon.   Date: Sunday, October 27, 2019 Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm Location: Herman Park - 6100 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030                     October 27, 2019  -  Stands With Kashmir    October 27th marks 72 years of Indian occupation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and is a reminder that after decades of Indian occupation marked by brutality, exploitation, and oppression, we have survived, persevered and haven't let go of our aspiration for freedom. Join us on October 27th for a vigil against occupation and honor the resilience of the Kashmiri people as we resist to exist, while wearing the color RED for solidarity!   Date: Sunday, October 27, 2019 Time: 6 - 8 pm Location: 5006 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056-5601,   For Questions, contact: info@standwithkashmir.org   Order your SWK Shirts today at www.standwithkashmir.org.  Please NO FLAGS                    October 27, 2019  -  Jordanian American Society of Houston Gathering   Date: Sunday, October 27, 2019 Time: 1 - 8 pm Location: Arab-American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston, 77099   Click here for event flyer.                     October 25, 2019  -  Ladies Night Gathering at Bait Al-Arab (ACC)   Arab American Cultural & Community Center Ladies' Night Out Group at Bait Al-Arab (ACC) Date: Friday, October 25, 2019 Time: From 6 pm-9 pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston 77099   Arab ladies of Houston Hosting Katie Wiseman, M.Ed., founder of the Get Fit Gang Fitness Program   Moving our bodies is essential to quality of life. Join us for a night of movement and engaging dialogue to discover ways to increase strength, bolster your immune system and learn how strength can help you to become your absolute best! With an innovative fitness program that can help strengthen your body, Presented by Katie Wiseman, M.Ed., founder of the Get Fit Gang Fitness Program© If you are interested in actually participating in some movement that evening, dress in exercise clothes and bring a yoga mat if available. Don't miss a night full of fun, and entertainment. TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT, please click HERE Kids between age of 3 and 10 will have to be in a separate room with the babysitter, No exceptions please! Babysitting will be charged $5.00/child . TO RESERVE A SEAT TO YOUR CHILD, please click HERE The ACC does not bear responsibility for any harm that could happen to your child who is not baby seated.   To book a table for the Bazaar, please contact (832) 351-3366.                  October 19, 2019  -  ACC Annual Unity & Friendship Gala   Arab American Cultural & Community Center Annual Unity & Friendship Gala   This year we are highlighting The Culture and People of Iraq, The Dawn of Civilization.      Date: Saturday, October 19, 2019 Time: Reception starts at 6:30 p.m. Location: Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria, 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Houston 77056      This year, the ACC will be honoring:   - Dr. Issam Raad, 2019 ACC Lifetime Achievement Award   - Mrs. Wafa Abdin. Esq, 2019 ACC Outstanding Community Service Award     - The Khudairi Group. 2019 ACC Outstanding Community Service Award   Silent Auction Live Entertainment                October 19, 2019  -  Solidarity with the Lebanese People   Join the Lebanese Community in solidarity to protest the current state of the Lebanese Government. This will be an event to show support from Houston to our Beloved Lebanon. We will be getting together as a Nation.   THIS EVENT WILL NOT INCLUDE ANY SECTORS OR RELIGION.   We are Lebanese first and demand an urgent and immediate action from the Lebanese Government         Date: Saturday October 19, 2019 Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: In front of Starbucks, Post Oak, 2521 Post Oak Blvd., Houston Texas 77056   Please wear white shirts and bring with you signs and Lebanese and American flags                    October 12, 2019  -  Reach Education Fund Tour with Ghada Oueiss   Reach Education Fund cordially invites you to its upcoming event with Al-Jazeera's Ghada Oueiss.   Come support the next generation of Palestinian children realize their dream of having a college education! These underprivileged youth have a 95+ GPA and are ambitious to become productive members of society. The program will include:     - Ghada Oueiss, Al-Jazeera Anchor   - a free lunch   - Walid Mizyed, Founder and Executive Director of Reach Education Fund   - Ghada Shurrab, a 98.3% GPA student from Gaza   - Dr. Khalid Kebbati, PhD in Education & Motivational Speaker   Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019 Time: 2 PM - 5 PM Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Houston by the Galleria, 5353 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77056   Register now, and we'll see you on Saturday, October 12 at 2:00 PM!     Click here for event flyer.     October 12, 2019  -  Traditional Lebanese Evening   Our Lady of the Cedars Church invites you to a Traditional Lebanese Evening celebrating the month of Our Lady of the Rosary.  Mass at 4 pm followed by a procession.      - Delicious homemade food, music, dancing    - Fun for kids: moonwalk, petting zoo, pony rides, face painting    - Entertainment by Salem Omran    - DJ by Sawma Events    - Performances by Our Lady of The Cedars Choir & Dabke Group   Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019 Time: 4 PM – 11 PM Location: Our Lady of the Cedars Maronite Catholic Church, 11935 Bellfort Village Dr, Houston, Texas 77031   Raffle tickets and great prizes.   Click here for event flyer.     "Official Secrets" Film Now Playing in Houston   "Official Secrets" is a remarkably accurate Hollywood account of how British spy Katharine Gun (played by Keira Knightley) attempted to stop the invasion of Iraq by exposing a top secret NSA document proving the U.S. and British governments were spying on other UN members to bully and blackmail their way to a UN authorization for war.   Click here for theatres playing the film.               October 11, 2019  -  Al Firdaus Ensemble: Sacred Sounds from Al Andalus   Risala Foundation is proud to welcome Al Firdaus Ensemble to Houston! AL FIRDAUS ENSEMBLE based in Granada was founded in 2012 by the English violinist and singer Ali Keeler and includes musicians from England, Spain and Morocco. The group takes its inspiration from the word Firdaus, which is the Arabic name, of Persian origin, for the most elevated abode in Paradise. The intercultural nature of this name reflects the character of the group in which musicians from different countries and cultural backgrounds are brought together with one purpose. Just as the musicians tune their instruments, so they need to tune their hearts to receive the inspiration of the moment and transmit that to the audience. The traditional Arabic term for this kind of music is sama` which could be translated as “the art of listening”. The unique sound of their music is due to a synthesis of different musical styles. These include original compositions of a more Western classical character with influences from both Celtic and Flamenco traditions, and new arrangements of songs drawn from the rich heritage of traditional sufi music from Arabic, Andalusi and Turkish sources. The words of the songs are mainly in Arabic drawn from the poetry of the great sufis from Al Andalus and the Arab world such as Ibn Arabi and Al Shushtari. Also within their repertoire are musical adaptations of poems in aljamiado, old Spanish written by the Moriscos using the Arabic script. In this way Al Firdaus hopes to revive the heritage of the Moriscos whose culture was forbidden in its day and and has only reached us through manuscripts which they left behind on their expulsion in 1609 and that have been discovered over the years hidden in old houses.   Date: Friday, October 11, 2019 Time: 7:30 PM – 10 PM Location: Raindrop Turkish Community Center, 9301 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston 77031     Free and open to all. We encourage you to register on Facebook as event will reach capacity. Families welcome.     Learn more: http://alfirdaus-ensemble.es/en/      October 6, 2019  -  Ghazal & Thoughts from the New Homeland Poetry        The Arab American Cultural & Community Center invites you to a special Poetry Event: Ghazal and Thoughts from the New Homeland     Dr. Samir Tuma, Issa Konsul, Jad Baba, Freeda Abudayeh, and Tarif Youssef-Agha will recite some of their latest poems.        Date: Sunday, October 6, 2019 Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Location: Arab-American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston 77099       Light refreshments will be served.   Free and Public Event     Click here for event flyer.                   October 5, 2019  -  Stand for Iraq Protest The purpose of this protest is to shed light of current crisis taking place all over Baghdad. The Iraqi people are demanding basic human rights by demonstrating on the streets. Yet, they are being killed, tortured by the Iraqi government and security forces as they began peaceful protests. Security forces are using live bullets and tear gas on civilians! The death toll from three days of mass anti-government protests in Iraq has risen to 20, with hundreds more wounded as authorities imposed curfew in several cities and cut internet access across much of the country to quell unrest. We, the people, we must stand and be the voice for them. We stand as advocates, as brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and as humans for their rights to have basic human rights they shouldn’t even as for such as water, electricity, and employment!   We stand as a united front to raise awareness and concern for the people of Iraq.          Date: Saturday, October 5, 2019 Time: 5:30 pm Location: Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, 2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, 77056        This protest is lead by “Iraqi Community of Houston”                        October 4, 2019  -  Walking Quran - Exploring Islam's African Legacy   Risala Foundation is proud to welcome a leading academic and scholar, Dr. Bilal Ware, to Houston!   Dr. Ware wrote, "The Walking Quran" - a critical text for Muslims in the West. Spanning a thousand years of history --and bringing the story to the present, join us for a discussion on the significance of Qur'an schools for West African Muslim communities and how such schools peacefully brought Islam to much of the region, becoming striking symbols of Muslim identity.   Join us as we discuss and learn from a new viewpoint - how an emphasis on educating the whole human being to remake it as a living replica of the Qur'an turned them into vital bearers of the word of God.   Date: Friday, October 4, 2019 Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM Location: Ibrahim Islamic Center, 7563 South Fwy, Houston, TX 77021-5928       FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE!   About the Speaker Rudolph T. Ware III is an historian of West Africa, at the University of California Santa Barbara. He formerly taught at the University of Michigan and before that at Northwestern University. He aims to confront and dispel Western misconceptions about Islam. He received his Ph.D. in history in 2004 from the University of Pennsylvania. Among his publications are "The Walking Qur'an Islamic Education, Embodied Knowledge, and History in West Africa" and "Jihad of the Pen: Sufi Thought in West Africa."           October 4, 2019  -  SAC 2019 Scholarship Endowment Gala   The Syrian American Club of Houston is pleased to invite you to its 2019 Scholarship Endowment Gala   Performance by Tarab Singer Yousef Shamoun Date: Friday, October 4, 2019 Time: Reception starts at 7:30 pm, Dinner starts at 8:00 pm Location: Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria, 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Houston 77056        RSVP Required. Black Tie Optional ​ *Proceeds benefit the SAC Scholarship Program       Click on the following link for online reservations and payment                September 29, 2019  -  ISGH 50th Anniversary Gala   Join the Islamic Society of Greater Houston for a very special 50th Anniversary Gala, where we thank Allah for our humble beginnings and share how we've grown. We will also look at new ways we are building community and working to serve you. We are honored to present our keynote speaker, Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, a native Houstonian, whose family was instrumental in the development and growth of ISGH. We look forward to sharing this milestone with you. Please purchase your tickets today.   Date: Sunday, September 29, 2019 Time: 5 p.m. Location: Hilton Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056   Tickets are $100/person or $1000 for a table of 10. This event is sold out every year, and limited seats are available, so register now.                    September 28, 2019  -  Run4Palestine-Reach4Education Houston   Run for Palestine Reach for Education Houston, TX   This race is to reach, educate, and inspire Palestinian students by aiding in their educational, personal, and professional development through scholarship and mentorship.   We are not just running for a better Palestine, we are running for a better world. By educating Palestinian youth, we are unlocking a new vessel of hope and advancement for all of mankind.   Our purpose is to inspire people from all religions, races, and backgrounds to join forces and run for one common cause: peace. To change the world, the impact must always start locally.   We invite you to join us and your community to run for Palestine, and reach for education.   Date: Saturday, September 28, 2019 Time: 8 AM – 11 AM Location: 1001 S Dairy Ashford Rd # 130, Houston, TX 77077   On your mark, get set, before you "go", let us tell you a little about where exactly you are headed. This 5K is unlike any other one you have attended, or heard about. Some people run to improve their health, and others run to improve their endurance, but Reach Education Fund is inviting you to run in order to improve the world around you.    All of us in some form or another are looking to make an impact. It's a part of our deeper human intuition. When you run for Palestine, it doesn't matter which walk of life you are coming from because in the end- all of our paths are merging to pave a brighter future for the increasingly alarming number of war stricken Palestinian children and youth.   Register now! www.Run4Palestine.com                       September 27, 2019  -  Ladies Night Gathering at Bait Al-Arab "ACC"   The ACC Ladies' Night Out Group At Bait Al-Arab (ACC)   Arab ladies of Houston Hosting our kick off event after the Summer Break   WELCOME BACK LADIES We will be having our first event after the summer break to celebrate women and emphasize self love and worth, come Love ,express your self with life coach Rima Dawood and therapist Sona Abuawad both will be talking about self love in an interaction and games setting.   Don't miss a night full of fun, and entertainment.   Date: Friday, September 27th Time: 6-9pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston 77099   TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT, please click HERE   Kids between age of 3 and 10 will have to be in a separate room with the babysitter, No exceptions please!   Babysitting will be charged $5.00/child . TO RESERVE A SEAT TO YOUR CHILD, please click HERE   The ACC does not bear responsibility for any harm that could happen to your child who is not baby seated.   To book a table for the Bazaar, please contact (832) 351-3366.                       September 26, 2019  -  Conversation with Muslim Doctors & Community Builders Modern society owes a tremendous amount to the Muslim world for the numerous groundbreaking scientific and technological advances that were pioneered during the Golden Age of Muslim civilization. Today, some of the best and brightest medical professionals are Muslims.   Not only are these Muslim researchers and practitioners leaders in their respective fields, they also contribute significantly to the betterment of American society by giving their time, knowledge, and resources to help improve the quality of life for their fellow Americans.   Join Asia Society Texas Center for a conversation with some of these medical leaders on their careers, their life journeys, and their commitment to creating a lasting positive impact in the world.   Date: Thursday, September 26, 2019 Time: 6 PM – 8 PM Location: Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, Texas 77004   Learn more and purchase tickets here.                         September 22, 2019  -  Let's Talk About Jerusalem   We have more in common than what divides us is essential to all interfaith and inter-community projects. Keeping our children safe, good schools, good jobs, fast cars, and a BBQ that cooks our food evenly, are issues we can all get behind.   On Sunday, September 22nd, 100 Houston Muslims and Jews will participate in an experimental exchange of ideas to talk about an issue that continues to divide us and prevents us from realizing all the many things we have in common.   Let’s Talk About Jerusalem.   Experts from both sides will engage in a moderated style dialogue in small groups. An application process will make sure everyone at each table will allow for productive conversations.   This is not meant to change who we are but how we see one another, and will be a platform for our respective communities to freely express our narratives.   Date: Sunday, September 22, 2019 Time: 1 PM – 6 PM Location: To Be Announced   Details such as the location, speakers, timings, and RSVP form will be announced soon.   For more information, click here.           September 22, 2019  -  Stand for Kashmir Rally   The purpose of this rally is to educate and raise awareness about the removal of the right to choice of the Kashmiri people.   They have the right to choose, they have the right to decide for themselves who they align with. However, due to restrictive policies and the conditions in Kashmir, they are unable to do so. So we stand as their voice. We stand as their advocates for the right to choose. We stand as a united front to raise awareness and concern for the people of Kashmir and their plight. We #StandwithKashmir.    Date: September 22, 2019 Time: 10 AM – 4 PM Location: NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054, United State   This event will feature buses to get to the rally, as well as opportunities for volunteers to get involved as well.   For more information, click here.          September 15, 2019  -  Presentation on Immigration: Family & Employment-Based Immigration, Investor & Student Visas, Asylum, Q&A       Click here for event flyer.                 September 14, 2019  -  PACC 10th Anniversary Gala   Join us as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Palestinian American Cultural Center of Houston.   Our 10th Anniversary Gala celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of our organization, and a takes a peek at our future.   Strengthen The Community Through Unity!    Appreciating PACC Sponsors and Donors, recognizing Abu-Obaida Community Service awardees, celebrating PACC Scholarship Program recipients, while featuring a bazaar with live entertainment.       Keynote Speaker: Saree Makdisi, Professor of English and Comparative Literature at UCLA, author of Palestine Inside Out: An Everyday Occupation   Recognizing Friends of Sabeel with the 2019 Abu-Obaida Community Service Award     Date: Saturday, September 14, 2019 Time: 7 pm Location: Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria, 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Houston 77056    For more info, visit www.pacchouston.org. Click here for event flyer.                 Arabic School Resumes at ACC (Kids - Youth - Adults)   Arabic classes at ACC will resume Saturday September 14th.   Come meet with the Teachers and register on Saturday September 7th. Get benefit of Early Bird rates. They are available up till Saturday September 7th, 2019. Please follow us and like our Arabic School Facebook page (Dr. Amer Sabbagh ACC Arabic School Facebook) to check our School events & activities   The Dr. Amer Sabbagh ACC Arabic School (for kids) operates on Saturdays and also on Sunday for those who cannot attend Saturday School. Classes are held from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. on either day. The Arabic classes consist of a combination of language lessons, conversational time, support activities, and Arabic software reinforcement. We make it fun for kids to learn the language through Marketplace simulation, Arabic movies days, and other hands-on activities. Arabic Classes for Youth operates on Saturdays and also on Sunday for those who cannot attend Saturday School. Classes are held for 2 hours on either day. Arabic Classes for Adults operates on Saturdays. Classes are held for 1 hour. To learn more about the school and to register, please call 832.351.3366 or email us at school@acchouston.org   Get benefit of Early Bird rates. They are available up till Saturday September 7th, 2019.              September 1, 2019  -  Jordanian American Society of Houston First Meeting   Date: Sunday, September 1, 2019 Time: 5 PM – 10 PM Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston 77099   Click here for event flyer.                 August 30-September 2, 2019  -  56th Annual ISNA Convention   Convention Highlights Over 200 Renowned Speakers • 500 Vendor Bazaar • Entertainment • Interfaith Reception • Community Service Recognition Luncheon • Qira'at Competition • Matrimonial Banquet • Art Exhibit • Film Festival • Health Fair • Meet the Author Program • Photography Exhibit • Children's Program   Date: Aug 30 - Sep 2, 2019 Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston 77010   For more information, visit https://isnacon.com/              August 24, 2019  -  Eid Carnival at MAS Katy Center     Click here for more details.            Arabic School Registration is Now Open (Syrian American Club)   The Syrian American Club is delighted to resume its Arabic classes for this school year! The fall semester for Arabic School will begin on Saturday, August 24th. We have now opened registration for returning students.   New student registration will take place on Friday, August 9th at Al-Sham Center from 11:30am t0 1:00pm. Mrs. Hazami will be available for orientation and new student testing to ensure proper level placement of the new students. The deadline to register your child(ren) is Saturday, August 17.   To register, please click here.   If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at syrianamericanclub@yahoo.com. For specific language questions, please contact Mrs. Hazami Nabulsi at hazaminabulsi@gmail.com.                Back to School Supplies Drive at ACC    Click here for more details.              Story Time in Arabic for Kids at ACC   The Arab American Cultural & Community Center (ACC) announces Story Time in Arabic! for Kids 2 to 5 years old.   We are excited to share that we will start offering Arabic Story time every Sunday at the ACC. It will be lead by one of our weekend Arabic School parents beginning this Sunday, March 3rd at 12 PM.   During Arabic story time we will be reading books, singing songs and crafting with a different theme each week.   Arabic story time is geared for kids between the ages of 2 through 5 years old. Siblings are always welcomed.   This will be a fun way for parents and their kids to bond with each other, while introducing and teaching children Arabic at an early age.   Attendance is Free but due to limited space, it will be first come first seated   ***Parental participation and supervision is required during Arabic story time.***   For more information, contact the ACC at 832-351-3366.         July 28, 2019  -  Ghazal Poetry Recital  سهرة غزل من دمشق إلى مادابا   The Syrian American Club invites you to a Ghazal Poetry Recital by Issa Konsul and Tarif Youssef Agha with a musical performance by Mohamed Rashed.        Date: Sunday, July 28, 2019 Time: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Location: Syrian American Club , 5729 Winsome Ln., Houston, Texas 77057       Click here for more details (in Arabic).     Please send email to syrianamericanclub@yahoo.com to reserve your seat.         June 23, 2019 (deadline)  -  2019 PACC Scholarship   The goal of the PACC Scholarship is to provide students who demonstrate leadership skills and involvement in activities that promote awareness of the Palestinian culture, college tuition assistance, and guidance to continue such leadership at their college/university. The PACC Scholarship strives for students to serve as leaders at their college/university campus through participation in relevant campus organizations and community service; skills which would help students excel throughout their academic years and as they enter into their careers. Furthermore, the PACC Scholarship also provides assistance to deserving students presenting a financial need, and encourages their excellence in academics. AWARDS Four (4) scholarship awards will be awarded annually. The awards will be given to the student for the duration of their time at university as they work towards receiving their undergraduate degree, the award will be given for up to four (4) years for a total of $7,000.   Tiered Distribution Year 1: $2,500 Year 2: $2,000 Year 3: $1,500 Year 4: $1,000   Winners will not need to reapply, they must however continue to meet eligibility criteria to obtain all funding. This scholarship is only available during the student’s time studying for their undergrad degree and does not roll over into any higher education endeavors. All scholarship funds will be paid directly to the college or university and shall be disbursed at the start of every semester.   For all the details and to apply online, visit www.pacchouston.org.   Applications are due by June 23, 2019.           June 22, 2019  -  Houston Eid Social Benefit for Yemen    Join us as we celebrate Eid. Additionally, we are raising awareness for Yemen. All ticket proceeds will benefit Islamic Relief - Yemen Humanitarian Crisis.   Food and entertainment will be provided. Strictly Black Tie (Formal attire). Females: Formal (non- desi). Limited valet. Please carpool if possible.   Date: June 22, 2019 Time: 7pm - 11pm Location: Royalton at River Oaks, 3333 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX 77019   The number of tickets are capped due to the venue, please purchase ASAP! No tickets at door: $35  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/houston-eid-social-tickets-63076665003   This event is made possible by several local organizers and sponsors.      For more info, click here.           June 22, 2019  -  Ahmed Ahmed Ft. Aaron Stand Up Comedy Show    Maestro Productions Presents the founder of The Comedy Central Axis Of Evil Comedy Tour: "AHMED AHMED" - Oriental Pharaoh Featuring Aaron Aryanpur   Get ready to laugh as Ahmed brings you his new world comedy tour in Houston. Date: June 22, 2019 Time: 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston 77099   Click here for more info or to purchase tickets.          June 18, 2019  -  New Discoveries in Egypt with Zahi Hawass and Mostafa Waziri   In the last two years the Ministry of Antiquities of Egypt initiated a large-scale project to protect, consolidate and excavate pharaonic sites in Saqqara, Middle and Upper Egypt, and the Nile Delta. Join Egypt's two top archaeologists Dr. Zahi Hawass and Mostafa Waziri, former and current Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egypt, for an overview of this impressive undertaking and results. This is Zahi's first public event to reveal major important discoveries that he was involved in during the last year including those shown live by Discovery Channel. Dr. Hawass will shed light on the recent scientific work inside the great pyramid of Khufu searching for secret chambers, the drilling project under the Sphinx to investigate the tunnel theory, and the Valley of the Kings excavation in search of the tombs of Queen Nefertiti and Queen Ankhesenamun. Also this evening, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mostafa Waziri will overview the latest findings of the project under his direction of the pharaonic project with particular focus to Saqqara, Luxor and Tuna el Gabal, the ancient necropolis of Hermopolis, where Ptolemaic burial chambers where recently discovered.   Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 Time: 7 PM – 10 PM Location: Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, 77030   This event will sell out. Purchase your tickets early at http://store.hmns.org/DateSelection.aspx?item=4370.   MEMBERS: $65 NON-MEMBERS: $75         June 15, 2019  -  Yemen Fundraising Dinner   Join us for an evening of inspiration and delicious meal with Sheikh Azhar Nasser, Mahjabeen Dahla and Madiha Raza, where we will be speaking about how to continue to keep our levels of spirituality up post-Ramadan and raising essential funds for Yemen where 22.2 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.   Date: Saturday, June 15, 2019 Time: 6 PM – 9 PM Location: Crowne Plaza Houston Galleria Area, 7611 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, 77024   TODAY IN YEMEN:   75% of the population in Yemen requires humanitarian assistance (UNHCR). More than 15 million people, over 50% of Yemen’s population, are on the brink of starvation as access to food becomes more and more difficult every day. 1.1 million are suffering with cholera! Due to devastating water and sanitation conditions, Yemen has experienced the largest cholera epidemic in the world. Children are suffering most in Yemen in these dire circumstances.   Organized by Muslim Aid USA.   Click here for more information and/or to purchase tickets.         June 8, 2019  -  Eid Carnival at MAS Katy Center   Click here for the details.        June 4, 2019  -  Eid Ul Fitr Prayer   As ISGH (Islamic Society of Greater Houston) celebrates its 50th anniversary, we want you to join us for Eid prayers at NRG Center! This year will be bigger and better than ever, inshaAllah!    Prayer will be held on Tuesday, June 4th.   Time: 8 AM – 11 AM (Takbiraat begins at 8 AM, Prayer: 10 AM) Location: NRG Center, 1 NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054, Houston, Texas 77054   Prayer will be held in NRG Center | Hall D   We hope you'll be able to join us, inshaAllah!          May 31-June 2, 2019  -  Writerfest Houston    Syrian American Author and Poet Tarif Youssef-Agha will be selling and signing his 5 books at the Writerfest Houston at Rice University    When: May 31-June 2, 2019 Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Location: Rice University, Anderson-Clark Center, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005     Click here for event flyer.         May 31, 2019  -  International Day of Al-Quds-Houston   A Call for Solidarity with Palestine and the World's Oppressed.   Quds Day is recognized globally as a day to remember the plight of the Palestinians and the oppressed people of the world who are voiceless and struggle for their basic rights. It will be held on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan.      Date: Friday, May 31, 2019 Time: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM Location: 24 Greenway Plaza (in front of the Consulate General of Israel), Houston, TX 77046    Click here for event flyer.           May 30, 2019  -  Free Mammograms    Project VALET (Providing Valuable Area Life-Saving Exams in Town) is a mammography education and screening program for asymptomatic women ages 40 to 69, who are uninsured, without county assistance and who are patients in participating clinics.    Project VALET (PV) addresses barriers of cost and transportation by bringing free mobile mammography to the communities where eligible women reside.    Date: Thursday, May 30, 2019 Location: UT Physicians Multispecialty - International District, 10623 Bellaire Blvd., Suite C280, Houston, TX 77072    Click here for more details.       May 27, 2019  -  Ramadan Iftar/Dinner and Cultural Night at the ACC     Ramadan is observed by a large segment of Arabs (and non Arabs) around the Globe as a month-long of fasting from sunrise to sunset and also as a month of giving, self-reflection, and self-control.   Join the Arab American Cultural and Community Center for a wonderful immersion into Ramadan traditions and cultural rituals from the Arab World. Bring your Non-Arab Friends for a night of cross cultural discovery experience.   Date: Monday, May 27, 2019 Location: Arab American Cultural and Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston 77099 Check-in starts at 7:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at Sunset at the time of breaking the fast (around 8:10 p.m.)   • Learn about Ramadan festivities from several Arab countries • Taste the Delicious traditional dishes and dessert from the Arab World • Enjoy the Ramadan evening program - Join us for Iftar Dinner on the sounds of Traditional Arabian Music.   Kindly note that all tickets need to be booked online and purchased ahead of time prior to the event. Due to food pre-ordering and limited seating, we cannot accommodate ANY tickets sales at the door, no exceptions. We thank you for your understanding.   Places are limited to 200 seats, make sure to register early to guarantee a spot. Ticket sales will close by Monday May 24th or when we reach capacity, whichever happens first.   TICKETS • Early Bird Adults:$15 -Discount ends Thursday May 17th at 11.30 p.m. • Regular Tickets: Adults and Kids 10 years and above: $20 • Children Tickets: Kids between 3 and under 10 years old: $8. • we cannot accept any kid under 3 years old. Thanks for your cooperation.   Tickets are non refundable. To purchase Tickets, please click here.       May 26, 2019  -  Egypt Cancer Network Iftar   On behalf of Egypt Cancer Network and 57357, we would like to honor you and thank you for all your support by inviting you for our annual Appreciation Iftar. Children’s Cancer Hospital of Egypt 57357 was built and sustained primarily by donations. It has been in operation since 2007 and has been providing free care to all children with cancer without discrimination to race, creed, or ability to pay.   Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama • Chairman of the Board of Trustees & President of the Executive Bureau of 57357 Foundation • Secretary General at Association of Arab Universities which includes 323 universities • Former Minister at Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Date: May 26, 2019 Time: 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Location: The Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, TX 77027   Please RSVP by May 10th, 2019. No tickets necessary. Limited Seating available. Please call if you have any questions.   • Yehia Omar 832-247-4547 (yehiamo@gmail.com) • Sayed Hassan 972-743-7700 (shassan@ecn57357.org)    Doors open at 7:45 pm. Babysitting will be available for $10/child for children between the ages of 2-12, at the Junior League of Houston. Pizza and drinks will be served to the kids. Please make sure to RSVP and provide ages for your kids to one of the email in the top, to ensure sufficient supervision, space and food. Ramadan craft activities will also be available. We would like to remind you to consider extending your generosity and Zakat to the children of 57357 during the month of Ramadan For more information, visit www.egyptcancernetwork.org/event/houston-2019/.     May 19, 2019  -  CAIR Houston Ramadan Iftar   In 2019, CAIR Houston will celebrate 18 years of protecting civil rights, educating the public, challenging Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate, and empowering American Muslims to use their voices in public policy and lobbying.   Date: Sunday, May 19, 2019 Time: 7pm - 9pm Location: Palms Banquet & Events Center, 15301 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77034   Your support continues our efforts to fight for justice and equality. Your gift of $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, or any amount will safeguard the liberties of Muslims and all Americans.   **Your donations to CAIR Houston are both tax-deductible and zakat-eligible.**   To purchase a ticket, click here.     May 18, 2019  -  "Fountains of Hope" Annual Ramadan Iftar Banquet    Helping Hand USA Annual Ramadan Iftar-Dinner-& Fundraiser   Lets' Quench their Thirst!!! Giving the Best Sadaqa through HHRD Global of Water for Life Program   Inspirational Speaker: Shaykh Suleiman Hani   Date: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: 6 PM – 9 PM Location: Marquee Center, 11040 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074   Event is Complimentary: RSVP is needed:   Please Contact:   Muhammad Saad Ansari (281) 282-7010   Sumayyah Johnson (832) 732-4967   iLyas Hasan Choudry (832) 275-0786   For more info, click here.       May 16, 2019  -  "Neuroscience and Visual Art: The Complex Relationship of Light, Color and the Brain" by Dr. Aziz Shaibani “It is not what you look at that matters. It is what you see.” – Henry David Thoreau Light allows us to experience our world, including art, and different lighting conditions have a profound impact on our overall visual perception. This lecture by neurologist and Rothko Chapel board member, Dr. Aziz Shaibani, will explain the power light has on the visual perception of art mediated by the brain. Dr. Shaibani will illustrate the physical properties of light and the way the brain processes light and color, providing insight into the complex relationship between light, perception, and art.   This event is one in a series of offsite programs presented by the Rothko Chapel in partnership with Houston-area organizations while the Chapel is closed for renovations. The Rothko Chapel and grounds are closed to the public, to reopen in winter 2019/2020. This temporary closure is the first part of the implementation of the Rothko Chapel Opening Spaces master plan, focused on preserving the Chapel as a unique public art site and spiritual space, serving the growing number of visitors and program participants, and setting the stage for programmatic expansion.   Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, 77030    Tickets required via HMNS: Early Bird to 5/9 - Members $10, Tickets $16 Regular price starting 5/10 - Members $14, Tickets $20    Complimentary parking in the HMNS garage - entrance on Caroline near Hermann Dr.   About the presenter: Aziz Shaibani, MD, is a practicing neurologist in Houston who also specializes in neuromuscular medicine and neurophysiology. Dr. Shaibani graduated from Mosul University in Iraq in 1983 and completed residency in neurology and fellowship in neuromuscular disorders at Baylor College of Medicine, and currently is the director of Nerve & Muscle Center of Texas and is affiliated with Baylor St Luke's Medical Center. He is a clinical professor at Baylor College of Medicine. He is past president of the Texas Neurological Society and current vice president of the neuromuscular section of the American Academy of Neurology, and the past president of the National Arab American Medical Association, and currently serves as the President of the Arab-American Educational Foundation and is on the Board of the Arab American National Museum and the Rothko Chapel. Dr. Shaibani published a prize winning book "Video Atlas of Neuromuscular Diseases," the second edition was released in 2018 by Oxford University Press. He has published many articles in peer reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine.   For more info and tickets, click here.       May 16, 2019  -  First Annual Fort Bend County Interfaith Iftar Dinner   Come share the spirit of fasting with friends and neighbors from all backgrounds by joining us for the first annual Fort Bend County Iftar, hosted by Commissioner Ken R. DeMerchant's Interfaith Committee.   Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Location: Fort Bend County Fair, 4310 Highway 36 S, Rosenberg, Texas 77471 For more info and tickets, click here.       May 15, 2019  -  Houston Kairos Day of Action (Nakba Day)   On May 15 an interfaith group of human rights supporters will deliver a petition to the Israeli Consulate urging the Israeli government to respect the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. Meet at 9:45 am in the Costco parking lot at Weslayan and Richmond and travel along the sidewalk to the consulate (alternative parking may be available in the nearby theatre garage).   This is part of a global day of actions around Nakba Day and the 10th anniversary of the Kairos Palestine statement. See https://www.fosna.org/global-kairos-campaign.   After the petition is delivered, there will be a screening of the film "1948: Creation and Catastrophe (Nakba)" at 11:00am at Freed-Montrose Public Library located at 4100 Montrose, Houston TX. This program is not sponsored or endorsed by the Houston Public Library.        For more information, click here.     May 14, 2019  -  Interfaith Ramadan Celebration   Friends of Iman is partnering with Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston for an interactive mixed-faith gathering to share a traditional iftar (evening Ramadan meal). The event will begin with an opportunity for you to experience the recently unveiled “Plaza of Respect” and an art demonstration by the Islamic Arts Society, Houston. Next, a moderated panel featuring prominent speakers will discuss the common values shared in each of their respective religions, as well as take questions from you. The evening ends with the “azan” Islamic call to prayer, namaaz (prayers) and dinner. To commemorate this month of charity and giving, kindly bring a donation of pet food/supplies to benefit IMGH’s Meal on Wheels program.   Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Location: Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, 3303 Main St, Houston, Texas 77002   Click here for more info.     May 12, 2019  -  Emgage Ramadan Benefits Gala   Emgage Texas is so excited to host its annual Ramadan Benefits Gala this year. Please join us on Sunday, May 12 at 6 PM.   Our keynote speaker is the award winning journalist and author, Mehdi Hasan!   Date: Sunday, May 12, 2019 Time: 6 PM – 9 PM Location: 11730 IH-10, Houston, TX 77079   Ticket prices: Full table: $1,000 Half table: $500 Single ticket: $125   BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://secure.everyaction.com/mHwGmLus-kqy9GlYy3o3Uw2         May 12, 2019  -  Tribute to Refugee Single Mothers   Amaanah Refugee Services Annual Benefit Dinner - Rays of Change 2019   Amaanah Refugee Services is a non profit organization that empowers women and youth who are refugees or other forced migrants. We cater to women and children who have been resettle here in Houston. This benefit dinner is hosted to bring awareness to our programs to ensure we continue to uplift these strong women and their children.   Keynote Speaker: Isra Chaker, Refugee Rights Advocate   This is a special Mother's day tribute to these single mothers and their brave journey.   Date: Sunday, May 12, 2019 Time: 6 PM – 9:30 PM Location: Westin Memorial City Hotel, 945 Gessner Road, Houston, Texas 77055   Click here for more information.         May 11, 2019  -  Houston Iftar   Annual Ramadan Dinner with address by Mayor of Houston.   Houston is truly one of the most diverse international cities in the nation and it will be a great opportunity to show case our religious, cultural and social diversity by participating in this religious celebration with all of our brothers and sister. This is a remarkable opportunity to show solidarity and unity among not just various Muslim organizations and religious groups but also to remind all that we share same human values, respect, and dignities as do rest of our citizens of this great city, irrespective of race, color, religion, or the origin of an individual.   Date: Saturday, May 11, 2019 Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Location: Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Rd, Houston, TX 77045    Abu Dhabi, Baku, Basrah, Istanbul and Karachi Sister City Associations along with the Islamic Society of Greater Houston and all other Collaborating Organizations hosts “Houston Iftar” Annual Ramadan Dinner with Mayor of Houston, where we showcase our diversity and culture among all the citizens of Houston and look forward to working with all other religious & cultural organizations to make this an inclusive Event.   In Houston Iftar, we feature The Honorable Mayor, as our Keynote speaker for this auspicious event.   For more information and/or to register, visit www.houstoniftar.org.         May 9, 2019  -  Pink Iftar   The Pink Iftar is the only program of its kind in Houston. Women of Muslim-faith backgrounds gather with women from other faith traditions to enjoy an informative talk, followed by a call to prayer, and breaking of the fast with a shared meal by Fadi's. Each table of 8 will be headed by a Muslim conversationalist sharing her life experience and perspective.   It is incumbent on every Muslim to observe the Ramadan fast (during the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar) from dawn to dusk for a month. Every day at sunset, Muslims break the fast and share a meal with family and friends. Muslims fast for the love and worship of God that awakens their sense of solidarity with the less fortunate and places emphasis on generosity and charity.   Wafa Abdin, Executive Director of Houston Volunteer Lawyers, will lead the program with a discussion on Islam and Women.   Date: Thursday, May 9, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM – 10 PM Location: Saint Philip Presbyterian Church, 4807 San Felipe, Houston, Texas 77056   Woman-only event. Individual tickets are $45; sponsored tables are $360.   Women's Table of Houston in partnership with Peacekeeping & Social Justice Committee, St. Philip Presbyterian Church and The Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance.   For more info, click here.          April 26-May 5, 2019  -  Houston Palestine Film Festival      Museum of Fine Arts Houston & the Rice University Media Center. April 26-May 5, 2019   13th Annual Houston Palestine Film Festival Presents:    Beyond the Frontlines: Tales of Resistance & Resilience from Palestine Directed by Alexandra Dols 2017, 113 min      Friday, April 26, 2019    Time:  7:00pm    Location: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77005    Beyond the Frontlines takes us on a journey both within our own minds and on the roads of Palestine, led by Palestinian psychiatrist and writer Dr. Samah Jabr. An heiress to anticolonial psychiatrist Dr. Frantz Fanon, she exposes the psychological strategies of the Israeli occupation and their consequences, and the ways in which Palestinians have learned to cope. In this multi-voiced movie, interviews and columns are intertwined together with poetic escapes suggesting the invisible dimension of Palestinian streets and landscapes. From this fragmented Palestine, women and men holding multiple identities share their stories of resistance and resilience. For everyday colonization does not only involve occupying land, homes, the sky or water. It does not seek to impose its rule through weapons only; it molds the minds as well, beyond the frontlines... Director Alexandra Dols and psychiatrist and writer Dr. Samah Jabr will answer questions from the audience following the screening.     ---------------------------------------------    CAPERNAUM (Chaos) Directed by Nadine Labaki 2018, 2hr 30min      Saturday, April 27, 2019    Time: 7:00pm    Location: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77005 Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, CAPERNAUM (“Chaos”), a new film by Nadine Labaki about the journey of a clever, gutsy 12-year-old boy, Zain, who survives the dangers of the city streets by his wits. He flees his parents and to assert his rights, takes them to court suing them for the “crime” of giving him life. CAPERNAUM was made with a cast of non-professionals playing characters whose lives closely parallel their own. Following her script, Labaki placed her performers in scenes and asked them to react spontaneously with their own words and gestures. When the non-actors’s instincts diverged from the written script, Labaki adapted the screenplay to follow them – resulting in a neo-realism that has been compared to that of De Sica and Rossellini. Labaki creates a deft portrait of a Kafkaesque bureaucracy that ensnarls its subjects with regulations that make their difficult lives nearly impossible. Today, the two leads in the film live in Norway and France. While steeped in the quiet routines of ordinary people, CAPERNAUM is a film with an expansive palette: without warning it can ignite with emotional intensity, surprise with unexpected tenderness, and inspire with flashes of poetic imagery. Although it is set in the depths of a society’s systematic inhumanity, CAPERNAUM is ultimately a hopeful film that stirs the heart as deeply as it cries out for action.     ---------------------------------------------    Screwdriver Directed by Bassam Jarbawi 2018, 108 min      Friday, May 3, 2019    Time: 7:00pm    Location: Rice Cinema – Rice Media Center, 2030 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005   After fifteen years of imprisonment, Ziad struggles to adjust to modern Palestinian life as the hero everyone hails him to be. Unable to distinguish reality from hallucination he unravels and forces himself to go back to where it all began.     ---------------------------------------------    Naila and the Uprising Directed by Julia Bacha 2017, 76 min       Saturday, May 4, 2019    Time: 5:00pm    Location: Rice Cinema – Rice Media Center, 2030 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005   When a nation-wide uprising breaks out in 1987, a woman in Gaza must make a choice between love, family and freedom. Undaunted, she embraces all three, joining a clandestine network of women in a movement that forces the world to recognize the Palestinian right to self-determination for the first time. Naila and the Uprising chronicles the remarkable journey of Naila Ayesh whose story weaves through the most vibrant, nonviolent mobilization in Palestinian history – the First Intifada in the late 1980s.  “We knew we wanted to bring this story to light by producing a documentary that could provide insight and wisdom from the veteran women activists of the First Intifada to today’s rising leaders. We felt it was crucial to provide a more holistic account of that time, illuminating how Palestinians have historically engaged in unarmed resistance efforts, underscoring the power of civil society in creating change and elevating the role of women in movement building.” Julia Bacha (2017)     ---------------------------------------------    Imprisoning a Generation Directed by Zelda Edmunds 2018, 50:08 min        Saturday, May 4, 2019    Time: 7:00pm    Location: Rice Cinema – Rice Media Center, 2030 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005   Imprisoning a Generation is a documentary film following the stories of four young Palestinians who have been detained and imprisoned under the Israeli military and political systems. Their perspectives, along with the voices of their families, combine to form a lens into the entangled structures of oppression that expand well beyond the prison walls.   Director Zelda Edmunds will answer questions from the audience following the screening.   For more information, visit www.hpff.org.              May 4, 2019  -  EAS Sham Elnasim Picnic/Potluck   Egyptian American Society (EAS)   Come join us for Sham Elnasim Picnic on May 4th for a day filled with amazing food and great time.   There will be playground equipment for the kids.   Each adult coming please sign up to bring a food item. Please see link for food, and for games if you choose to participate or lead any game. We are determined to have a good time regardless of any technical difficulties :)    Date: Saturday, May 4, 2019 Time: 12 PM – 5 PM Location: Lycee International de Houston, 15950 Park Row, Houston, TX 77084    For more information, click here.        May 4, 2019  -  Fighting the Fear   Sign up here: fightingthefear.eventbrite.com We need your voice! Join us for a community listening session on today's immigration climate. Join An-Nisa and Daya with Tahirih Justice Center in a presentation and facilitated discussion about the climate of fear and the anti-immigration rhetoric in the United States. Learn about myths and facts of current changes in immigration policies. Share your opinions, questions, and ideas with attorneys and advocates who are working to make change in our community and in broader U.S. policies. Speakers:  - Karla Perez, Equal Justice Works Fellow, Tahirih Justice Center  - Dr. Nusrat Ameen, Senior Director of Legal Services, Daya  - Amina Ishaq, LMSW, Caseworker, An-Nisa    Date: Saturday, May 4, 2019 Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Location: An-Nisa, 7211 Regency Square, Houston, Texas 77036   Sponsors: Tahirih Justice Center - www.tahirih.org The Tahirih Justice Center (Tahirih) is a national non-profit organization that protects courageous immigrant women and children who refuse to be victims of violence by elevating their voices in communities, courts, and Congress. Since 1997, Tahirih has answered more than 27,000 calls for help from courageous individuals fleeing violence. Through direct services, policy advocacy, and training and education, Tahirih protects immigrant women and girls and promotes a world where women and girls enjoy equality and live in safety and with dignity. Daya - www.dayahouston.org Founded in 1996, Daya provides culturally specific services to South Asian survivors of abuse. Daya services include a confidential helpline, case management, mental health treatment, legal advocacy, and financial assistance. An-Nisa - www.annisa.org An Nisa is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization working to provide support, education, and resources to families in crisis situations. Our professional and dedicated team of volunteers work a structured support system needed to regain self-sufficiency and develop a comfortable place in society.            April 28, 2019  -  Poetry Night: From Houston with Love    This event is one of several others hosted by the Arab American Cultural & Community Center as part of the Sixth Annual Arab American Heritage Month Celebration.   From Houston with Love   Dr. Samir Tuma, Hanan Khamis, Issa Konsoul, & Tarif Youssef-Agha , will recite some of their latest poems. Flute Presentation by Mohamad Rashed.   Please note that the Poetry will be in Arabic.   Light refreshments will be served   ~Free Admission, but registering (RSVP) is required so we can plan accordingly. Please click on "Register" to reserve your seat/s. امسيه شعريه: من هيوستن مع حبي   المركز الثقافي العربي الامريكي يدعوكم الى امسيه شعريه خاصه بعنوان من هيوستن . . . مع حبي   الدكتور سمير توما، حنان خميس، عيسى قنصل و طريف يوسـف آغـا يلقون مختارات من اعمالهم الجديده فقرة مع موسيقى الناي يقدمها محمد راشد الاحد 28 نيسان/ابريل الساعة 4 و حتى 5:30 مساءً المركز الثقافي العربي الامريكي في مدينة هيوستن   Arab American Cultural & Community Center 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston, 77099 سيتم تقديم مشروبات و سناكات خفيفه الدعوه عامه و مجانيه   April 28, 2019  -  Meet Our Heroes (3 Students from Palestine)   Reach Education Fund will be conducting an informative and fundraising event, featuring three Palestinian students, two from the West Bank and the third from Gaza. They want to share their message and story.    Date: Sunday, April 28, 2019 Time: 8-9 pm Location:  Clear Lake Islamic Center, 17511 El Camino Real, Houston, Texas 77058     Dinner will be served   Click here for event flyer.       April 27, 2019  -  NAAP-Houston Spring Picnic   Network of Arab-Americans Professionals of Houston (NAAP-Houston) will be BBQ'ing hamburgers, chicken and hot dogs and will provide all the fixings with chips, drinks, etc.   With Grill Master Yousuf Beg   NAAP will also provide some activities (soccer ball, cards, etc) but please feel free to bring any additional games, balls, etc.   Date: Saturday, April 27, 2019 Time: 1 PM – 5 PM Location: Memorial Park, Houston, Texas 77057     Come out and join us at Memorial Park at our Spring Picnic for a BBQ and great time. Early bird now till April 23rd: Adult member $15, Adult non-member $20, Child age 4-12 $10 Tickets after April 23rd: $25   To become a member go to http://www.naaponline.org/get-involved/become-a-member/          April 26, 2019  -  OUD Night  ليلة طرب     This event is one of several others hosted by the Arab American Cultural & Community Center as part of the Sixth Annual Arab American Heritage Month Celebration.      By "Lion of Babylon" - Zubair Alawadi   Enjoy a night of Tarab songs along the Oud performance by Maestro Zubair, Lion of Babylon, with brief insights about Oud History, different schools of Oud, and the different Arabic Melody or Maqams (such as Hijazi, Bayati, Nahawand, etc.)   Date: Friday April 26, 2019 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston 77099   Arabic Dessert and Coffee will be available for Purchase (bring your cash with you) !   FREE Admission, but registering (RSVP) is kindly required so we can plan accordingly for seating. Please click on "Register" to reserve your seat/s.                April 26, 2019  -  When Islam Isn't A Religion     American Muslim religious liberty lawyer Asma T. Uddin has long considered her work defending people of all faiths to be a calling more than a job. Yet even as she seeks equal protection for Evangelicals, Sikhs, Muslims, Native Americans, Jews, and Catholics alike, she has seen an ominous increase in attempts to criminalize Islam and exclude Muslim Americans from those protections. Somehow, the view that Muslims aren’t human enough for human rights or constitutional protections is moving from the fringe to the mainstream—along with the claim “Islam is not a religion.”   This conceit is not just a threat to the First Amendment rights of American Muslims. It is a threat to the freedom of all Americans.   Join us as we discuss a significant but overlooked danger to our religious liberty. Combining her experience of Islam as a religious truth and her legal and philosophical appreciation that all individuals have a right to religious liberty, Asma will examine the shifting tides of American culture and outline a way forward for individuals and communities navigating today’s culture wars.   Date: April 26, 2019 Time: 8:00pm Location: River Oaks Islamic Center, 3110 Eastside Street, Houston, 77098   FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE. EVENT IN COORDINATION WITH CENTER FOR GLOBAL POLICY.   ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Asma T. Uddin is a fellow with the Initiative on Security and Religious Freedom at the UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations. She is also a Berkley Center research fellow. Uddin previously served as counsel with Becket, a non-profit law firm specializing in U.S. and international religious freedom cases, and director of strategy for the Center for Islam and Religious Freedom, a non-profit engaged in religious liberty in Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority contexts. She is widely published by law reviews, university presses, and national and international newspapers. She is also an expert advisor on religious liberty to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and a term-member of the Council on Foreign Relations. In addition to her expertise in religious liberty, Uddin writes and speaks on gender and Islam, and she is the founding editor-in-chief of altmuslimah.com. She graduated from the University of Chicago Law School, where she was a staff editor at the University of Chicago Law Review. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Policy      Organized by Risala Foundation.              April 18, 2019  -  Dr. Marc Lamont Hill speaking in Houston   Join us on the ties between black activism and suppression of pro-Palestinian voices.   On April 18th, we will be hosting Dr. Marc Lamont Hill for an enriching discussion on Black-Palestinian solidarity!  Join us as we explore the long history of international solidarity between the two communities as well as efforts to suppress it.    Date: Thursday, April 18, 2019 Time: 7 pm Location: University of Houston, Science and Engineering Complex - Auditorium Room 100   Organized by Defend Our Voice (a coalition of multiple student organizations at UH).                  April 18, 2019  -  Daring to Drive: The Story of Manal al-Sharif   Asia Society in collaboration with the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston   Nearly 70 years ago, the U.N. enshrined women's rights, including the right to live free from violence, slavery, and discrimination; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn a fair and equal wage. Historically, women's rights in Saudi Arabia have been limited in comparison to women's rights in many neighboring countries. Recently, progress has been made to give women the right to drive and to end male guardianship in certain circumstances. After many years of being barred from voting or holding elected office, women were permitted to vote in the 2015 local elections and to be appointed to the Consultative Assembly. In 2017, women were allowed access to government services such as education and healthcare without guardian consent, and the Saudi regime issued a decree in 2018 allowing women to drive, lifting the world's only ban on female drivers. However, these changes have been accompanied by backlash against the women who have led these campaigns. Despite the steps forward, there is still work to be done and progress to be made. Join Asia Society for a conversation with Manal al-Sharif on her personal story, the state of women in her home country and abroad, and the changes underway due to the efforts of fearless activists. Date: Thursday, April 18, 2019 Time: 6:15 p.m. Registration, 6:30 p.m. Program Location: Asia Society, 1370 Southmore Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77004   About the Speaker: Manal al-Sharif is an author, public speaker, and columnist. Manal, one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, and Newsweek’s top 10 tech-revolutionaries, is a prominent voice advocating for women’s rights and empowerment. She is known to be among the first Saudi women to specialize in Information Security with a career starting in 2002 with Saudi Aramco. In 2011, Manal co-founded and led the #Women2Drive movement, to challenge the ban on women driving in her country. She was arrested and imprisoned for “driving while female”, released on the condition that she never drives again on Saudi lands, never to speak about it, or do any interviews. Nonetheless, she continued campaigning for #Women2Drive and #IAmMyOwnGuardian to end the male guardianship in her country. Manal is a TED and Harvard speaker; she has also spoken at the United Nations, UNESCO, the Obama Summit, Google, Yahoo!, Oslo Freedom Forum, WIRED, Trust Women, The Arab Institute in Paris, the Center for International and Strategic Studies in Washington D.C., Roosevelt House in NY, Clinton Global Initiative, Women in the World, and Dallas World Affairs Council. A blogger and regular contributor to international media, Manal has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Alhayat, among others. Her best-selling memoir, Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman’s Awakening, was listed as the #1 summer-read book by Oprah Magazine.   For more information, click here.                April 16, 2019  -  Dialogue Discovery: Connecting with Others   Organized by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston   Join us as we challenge each other to step outside of what we know and build community around us through one of three Dinner Dialogues in 2019.   Cost: $25   Register here: http://www.imgh.org/discoveringcommunity/Attendee This Dinner Dialogues will be hosted in individual homes on April 16, 2019. You will have the opportunity to choose your host home from a map of available homes in this registration process. There is a registration fee of $25 per person. No refunds will be given for cancellations.              April 15, 2019  -  A History of Activist Repression   Organized by Defend Our Voice Coalition at the University of Houston.   Please join us as attorney Zoha Khalili presents a historical analysis of activist repression in the United States, including the Black Panthers and the COINTELPRO. The Defend Our Voice Coalition hopes to highlight how the state's use of legislation and law enforcement against human rights organizations of the past mirrors the tactics used against Palestinian Activist groups today.   Date: April 15, 2019 Time: 6-8 pm Location: ROOM: 109, BLB, University of Houston Law Center   Zoha Khalili, a staff attorney for Palestine Legal, provides legal advice and advocacy support to Palestine rights activists, students, and professors on issues ranging from free speech violations, discrimination, threats, surveillance, and disciplinary charges. The Defend Our Voice Coalition is a partnership of student organizations coming together to resist political censorship in Texas. They call on students and staff at the University of Houston, as well as the broader Texas community, to learn about how OUR voices are at jeopardy and how we can defend them.                April 15, 2019 - Faith in Our City: Islam/Tour of River Oaks Islamic Center   Tour of River Oaks Islamic Center   Faith in Our City is a program that increases awareness of the variety of faith traditions we have in our community. Each series spotlights a different faith tradition through two separate opportunities: a Lunch & Learn and a guided tour of a house of worship representative of that faith.   Date: April 15, 2019 Time: 12:00 pm - Lunch & Learn Location: River Oaks Islamic Center, 3110 Eastside Street, Houston, 77098   This event is open to the public. Register or read more about this program HERE.              April 14, 2019  -   ADS Spring Picnic     American Druze Society, Houston Chapter   Delicious Shawarma, Falafel & More by Fadi's.   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 Date: Sunday April 14, 2019 Time: 11 - 6 pm  (lunch will be served at 1 pm) Location: Kitty Hollow Park, Pavillion E, 9555 Highway 6, Missouri City, TX 77459   RSVP & Payment by April 11 2019. No Tickets will be sold at the door.  Ticket: $15 per person, children (0 to 3) FREE   For any question or more information email us at adshouston1@gmail.com Bayan Saab @ 281-222-9259              April 13, 2019  -  Protecting Our Masjids and Schools   Muslim Bar Association of Houston (MBAH) is hosting "Protecting Our Masjids and Schools: Security Planning for Islamic Non-Profits". Registration begins at 9am. The program concludes at 1:30pm. Lunch will be served.   The workshop is designed for leaders and volunteers of schools and places of worship.   The presentation will address active shooters, developing safety plans, and addressing the aftermath of a tragedy.   Presenters include protective security advisors from the Department of Homeland Security and civil rights prosecutors from the US Attorney's Office.   Date: Saturday, April 13, 2019 Time: 9 AM – 1:30 PM Location: Bellaire Mediation Center, 4800 Fournace Place, Bellaire, Texas The event is free to attend.              April 12, 2019  -  International Cultural Ladies Night   This event is one of several others hosted by the Arab American Cultural & Community Center as part of the Sixth Annual Arab American Heritage Month Celebration.   This event is for ladies only. Members of our community from various countries from the Arab World and beyond are invited to decorate a table with artifacts and to bring sample staple food from their culture to share with other guests. All are encouraged to wear traditional clothes (even though not a must) and be ready to dance at the rythm of music from around the World.    Date: Friday April 12, 2019 Time: 6 pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston 77099 This is a Ticketed Event. $5 per person   Baby sitting is available for kids between 3-10 for $5.00 per kid. Kids between age of 3 and 10 years old will have to be in a separate room with the babysitter, No exceptions please. No children under 3 years old please.   The ACC does not bear responsibility for any harm that could happen to your child who is not baby seated.   Click here for more information and to register.                 April 12, 2019  -  “In Between (Bar Bahar)” Film Screening   University of Houston Middle Eastern Studies Presents: A groundbreaking and boundary pushing film by Maysloun Hamoud, In Between tells the story of three independent Palestinian women, each determined to assert her own unique identity in defiance of traditional expectations and societal gender norms.    Date: Friday, April 12, 2019 Time: 5:00 pm Location: University of Houston, SW 101     Click here for event flyer.               April 12, 2019  -  Syrian American Club Falafel Night   Adults and teens are inviting to enjoy the Syrian American Club's famous homemade falafel buffet while gathering with friends and family for an evening of fun! This event is exclusive to adults and teens 12 and up. We will be serving delicious homemade falafel, and you don't want to miss it!   Date: Friday, April 12, 2019 Time: 7 pm - 9:30 pm Location: Al-Sham Center, 5729 Winsome Lane, Houston, TX 77057   $15 Members, $30 Nonmembers   Prior reservation is required, and tickets will not be sold at the door. Please RSVP here by Tuesday, April 9th. Click here for event flyer.                 April 10, 2019  -  Faith in Our City: Islam / Lunch & Learn   Lunch & Learn   Faith in Our City is a program that increases awareness of the variety of faith traditions we have in our community. Each series spotlights a different faith tradition through two separate opportunities: a Lunch & Learn and a guided tour of a house of worship representative of that faith.   Date: April 10, 2019 Time: 12:00 pm Location: Hines Center for Spirituality and Prayer, 500 Fannin Street, Houston   This event is open to the public. Register or read more about this program HERE.              April 7, 2019  -  An Nisa 10th Anniversary Gala    10 years of transforming lives & transforming families   Join us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of An Nisa with an extraordinary gala. Let's take a walk through the years & see the accomplishments of this dynamic organization with honored guests Shaykh Omar Suleiman & Ustadah Ieasha Prime!    Date: Sunday, April 7, 2019 Time: 5 PM - 8 PM Location: Hyatt Regency Houston/Galleria, 2626 Sage Rd, Houston, Texas 77056   For more information, please contact info@annisa.org or 832-324-9111.   An-Nisa is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization working to provide support and resources to families in crisis situations, including domestic violence.            April 6-7, 2019  -  9th Annual Houston Palestinian Festival    The Palestinian American Cultural Center Houston presents the 9th Annual Houston Palestinian Festival.    Come join us for our 9th Annual Houston Palestinian Festival on April 6th and 7th for an exposure of the Palestinian culture and heritage right here in downtown Houston.   Every year comes with great excitement to embrace a special aspect of Palestine, this year we would like to showcase the cities lost in 1948.   The Festival will include: - A new and much larger downtown venue: Water Works at Buffalo Bayou - An exciting cultural collaboration with Cafe Mawal - Various Palestinian cuisine from local food vendors - Cultural music and dance performances from all around Palestine - Palestinian Pagentry where you watch and learn about Palestinian thobes - Showcase of a traditional Palestinian wedding - A new larger kids entertainment section - A shopping Bazar where you can find Henna tattoos, embroidery, arts, clothing & more - And much more live entertainment   Date: April 6-7, 2019 Hours: Saturday, 1-10pm & Sunday, 1-9pm Location: The Water Works, Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007     Children’s section hours are extended & will be opened the entire time.   Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. However, by purchasing online, you get to skip the line and enter the festival without the wait.   Adults: $10 Children 5-11: $5 (includes access to the Kids Zone) Children under 5: Free   The Houston Palestinian Festival is presented by The Palestinian American Cultural Center.   Click here for festival flyer.   Visit www.pacchouston.org for more information.             April 6, 2019  -  Protecting Places of Worship   A forum for faith-based leaders and community members to discuss and learn how to prevent and respond to hate crimes against places of worship.   Facilitated by the United States Department of Justice Community Relations Service, and featuring presenters from the following organizations:     US Attorney’s Office   Harris County District Attorney’s Office   Federal Bureau of Investigation   Department of Homeland Security   Houston Police Department   Harris County Sheriff’s Office   Faith-based community leaders    Date: April 5, 2019 Time: 9:30am - 12:15pm Location: Houston Durga Bari Society, 13944 Schiller Road Houston TX 77082   This community forum is open to the general public, specifically targeting religious leaders, congregation leaders, religious community/ council members and security coordinators, law enforcement and community leaders.           April 6, 2019  -  Stop Uyghur Genocide Rally     Houston Community Comes Together in Support of Uyghur Muslims   The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, urges the People's Republic of China to end all state-sanctioned denial of religious freedoms targeting Muslims in that nation's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Houston community is coming together to oppose the discrimination and persecution of the Uyghur Muslims in China. Reports have revealed efforts of the Chinese government to forcibly convert Muslims in China, including by prohibiting fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, "re-education" camps, and force feeding Muslims alcohol and pork - both of which are prohibited in Islam. Over 3 million Uyghur Muslims have been incarcerated into so called "re-education" camps by the Chinese government. The whereabouts of the people taken into these camps are not known for many of the families whom are forced to be silent due to extreme crack down by the authorities. CAIR-Houston stands in solidarity with persecuted Muslim communities worldwide. When the United States stands up for the human rights of Muslims internationally, it reinforces its commitment to freedom of religion and sends a powerful message to support American Muslims and Americans of all faiths. WHAT: Rally to Stop the Uyghur Genocide DATE: April 6, 2019 TIME: 10a.m. - 12:00p.m. ADDRESS: 3417 Montrose Blvd., Houston Note: We are meeting directly across the Chinese Consulate front entrance on Montrose Blvd and Harold St.   Street parking is available in the neighborhood behind the Consulate and the shopping strip adjacent as well.   CONTACT: (713) 363-4410 or (832) 794-2763 or (844) 888-4262 x 3 or csj@icnahouston.org.   Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/386769485210509/           April 5-6, 2019  -  Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity     This performance illuminates the daily experiences of five young Muslim Americans who came of age in a post-9/11 society, and who are building their lives in a time of continued fear of and violence towards Muslims.   Date: April 5-6, 2019 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Asia Society Texas, 1370 Southmore Boulevard, Houston   This event is open to the public. For additional information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.             April 5, 2019  -  Facing the Storm - Power Dynamics in the Muslim Community     Please join us as we welcome Ustadha Ieasha Prime and Imam Khalid Latif to Houston!   There are powerful winds blowing in the American-Muslim community. In recent years, our community has been forced to answer difficult questions around the role and character of Imams, the influence of masjid Boards, the insufficient number of women in leadership and racial disparities. All of this has culminated in a moment that must be handled with gentleness and wisdom. How should American Muslims think about these issues? What are the power dynamics in the Muslim community and is it always a zero-sum game? What lessons from the Prophetic model should guide our approach? How can we build a framework for addressing these so we can make our communities more vibrant and inclusive?    Date: Friday, April 5, 2019 Time: 8 PM – 9 PM Location: ISGH River Oaks Islamic Center, 3110 Eastside St, Houston, Texas 77098    About the Speakers: IEASHA PRIME is a traditonal Islamically trained educator, activist and public speaker. She studied Arabic and Quran at the Fajr Institute followed by general Islamic studies in Cairo, Egypt. After two years in Egypt, she moved to Hadramaut, Yemen and enrolled in Dar al Zahra, an Islamic University for Women. There she studied Aqeedah, Quran, Hadith, Arabic, Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Islamic law, Purification of the Heart and other religious related learning. Her lineage of scholarship from whom she received direct education can be traced directly back to the Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu alaihi wa Salaam) from the Husseini lineage. Under the tutelage of her professors, she has established several circles of knowledge and continues to teach and lecture across the United States and abroad. KHALID LATIF is Executive Director and Chaplain (Imam) for the Islamic Center at New York University (NYU). In 2005, Imam Latif was appointed the first Muslim chaplain at NYU. At NYU, Khalid initiated his vision for a pluralistic American Muslim community, rooted on campus and reaching out to the city. In 2006, Imam Latif was appointed the first Muslim chaplain at Princeton University. In 2007, Imam Latif's position was fully institutionalized at New York University, and so he committed himself to that institution and the building of a Muslim life institution. Today's Islamic Center is a leader among American Muslim organizations, uniquely shaped to contribute to the future of Muslim practice in the West.    Organized by Risala Foundation and ISGH River Oaks Islamic Center.         April 5, 2019  -  The Future Beyond Charity Gala & Fundraiser     The Future Beyond Charity, the first Arab based non-profit organization in the region that provides educational and psychological support services, is holding their inaugural gala April 5th. It is themed "A night at the Oscars." The organization is run by an impressive, diverse all female board. Sponsors and silent auctioneers include the Hilton Americas, Aloft Houston Downtown, Kendra Scott Jewelry and many others.    Date: Friday, April 5, 2019 Time: 7 pm – 11 pm (social hour at 7pm, program & dinner starts at 8pm) Location: The Bougainvilleas Event Venue, 12126 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077      Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gala-and-fundraising-tickets-57416669805   Please contact us directly for sponsorship at m.zaza@futurebeyondcharity.org or call/text 843-600-8816.   The FBC (501-C3 ) offers Houston area refugees and immigrants education and development services to take their future in their own hands!   For more information, visit www.FutureBeyondCharity.org.             April 4, 2019  -  Artist Talk by Hakima El Djoudi     This event is one of several others hosted by the Arab American Cultural & Community Center as part of the Sixth Annual Arab American Heritage Month Celebration.    Artist Hakima El Djoudi lives and works in Paris. She depicts the multiform artistic symbiosis between cinema, video and installations. A true film buff, she works with old Hollywood movies, from which she isolates luminous cabaret signs. The artist looks into cult images of flashing signs that claim "Paradise" or "The World is Yours", evoking the heyday of a society of leisure now gone and haunted by mythical gangster figures. Through a skillful montage, she gives new life to these places of perdition and games, in order to project them “illusionistically” into public spaces.   Date: Thursday April 4, 2019 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd., Houston 77099   Free Admission, but registering (RSVP) is required so we can plan accordingly. Please click on "Register" to reserve your seat/s.         **Our Artist Hakima El Djoudi is also presenting "Nuit Blanche" on Saturday April 6th from Noon - Midnight. Houston’s first Nuit Blanche will take place in Downtown Houston, around City Hall and the Houston Public Library. With site-specific performances, projections and installations of light and sound in unexpected public spaces, the festival will transform the city into an artistic playground. Nuit Blanche is an opportunity to celebrate and showcase Houston’s art community and the city’s commitment to art. The ACC is proud to be a community sponsor. For more information, visit www.nuitblanchehouston.com/.        April 4, 2019  -  Fozi Mozi & Tutti     "Fozi Mozi & Tutti" is a performance group oriented toward children all over the world. Their programs on YouTube have been dubbed in multiple languages. Fozi Mozi & Tutti play the role of two mischievous children, who along with their smart little sister Mandalina, learn as they navigate through daily life. Their fun-filled programs and live shows include plenty of songs and sketches that combine educational value with entertainment.   This performance is presented in Arabic.   Date: Thursday, April 4, 2019 Time: 7:00PM Location: Wortham Center/Cullen Theater, Houston     For more information, click here.             April 3-24, 2019  -  Heart Health: Prevention, Treatments and Innovations by Dr. Jneid    Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. It is also one of the most preventable and treatable health conditions. With appropriate lifestyle changes, optimal medical treatments and targeted therapeutic interventions, the prospect for a long and high-quality life with heart disease is excellent. Interventional cardiologist Hani Jneid, M.D., who has chaired national task forces on heart disease treatment guidelines, serves as this course’s guide. Dr. Jneid will share the latest clinical and research insights and innovations aiming to promote heart health and prevent the onset and recurrence of heart disease.   Topics include:   • Overview of heart health and disease   • Treating and preventing recurrence of heart disease   • Lifestyle interventions and primary prevention   • The future of heart health: Innovations in medical therapies and interventions Instructor: Dr. Hani Jneid   The intent of this course is to offer a general educational overview about the topics described. It is not intended to provide diagnoses, medical advice or treatment recommendations. If you are seeking specific medical guidance, please consult with your healthcare provider.   For more information, click here.             April 3, 2019  -  "Rise Up & Resist!" - David Barsamian Speaking at UH        David Barsamian is the founder and director of the Alternative Radio Network, and frequent collaborator with Noam Chomsky, Arundhati Roy, Edward Said, and others.   Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Time: 4 pm Location: University of Houston, 210 Agnes Arnold Hall   Event sponsored by the Arab-American educational Foundation Chair in Modern Arab History.   Click here for event flyer.             April 3, 2019  -  Humble Conversations    An interfaith dialogue about religious differences in an age that lacks civility.   Speakers from Muslim, Christian, and Unitarian Universalist backgrounds will ask one another challenging questions about their faith traditions in order to better understand them while also sharing about experiences of working with other faith traditions.    Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Time: 7:30pm Location: Rice University, Memorial Center Grand Hall   This event is free and open to the public.   click here for event flyer.             April 2019  -  National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) - Sixth Annual Celebration by Arab American Cultural and Community Center    Click here for a list of events and more information.           March 31, 2019  -  Syrian Seyran   The Syrian American Club invites you to its Syrian Seyran, an annual community gathering to celebrate the beautiful weather and have some delicious Syrian food such as: Ma'ali, Fool, Balila, and grills freshly prepared during the picnic, while kids are playing at the park.   We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, March 31 at George Bush Park, pavilion # 2. Please refer to the flyer below for more information. Feel free to bring your lawn chairs!   Date: Sunday, March 31, 2019 time: 12 – 6 pm Location: George Bush Park, Pavilion 2 // Houston, TX 77082   Admission: $20 Members // $40 Nonmembers // $15 Children (3-12)   We are glad to offer the option of easy reservation following this link.   If you have any questions, please call us at (713) 266-5577 or email us at syrianamericanclub@yahoo.com.              March 30-31, 2019  -  Palestinian Narrative Training   Hosted by Friends of Sabeel North America FOSNA and Students for Justice in Palestine at UH    Are you Palestinian? Does your family have incredible stories of survival and resilience? Do you want to learn more about your family history and gain the tools necessary to start your own oral history project?   Then register for FOSNA's Palestinian Narrative Training! This workshop is an opportunity for Palestinians in the diaspora to develop, write, and perform their stories. Even as Palestinians are displaced across the globe, storytelling has the power to strengthen community and collective voice. You can read more about FOSNA's Palestinian Narrative Training program on our website, here: www.fosna.org/narrativetraining.   Join us by registering here by March 22: https://fosna.nationbuilder.com/houston_training_registration   The workshop will take place at the University of Houston on Saturday, March 30, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, March 31, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. You'll receive more details after registering. For questions, e-mail friends@fosna.org.   Nadia Abuelezam of Palestinians Podcast will be facilitating the workshop. And a big thanks to Students for Justice in Palestine at UH for co-hosting!   For more information, click here.           March 30, 2019  -  A Night Of Art Benefiting Orphans of the World   Organized by Islamic Arts Society   Islamic Arts Society has been building bridges between diverse communities for several years and is the premier and trendsetting Islamic arts organization is the USA. IAS now in collaboration with IRUSA is bringing a unique event to Houston, benefiting the millions of orphans around the world.   Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 6 PM – 9 PM Hilton Houston Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, Texas 77056   CONTACT INFORMATION Ather Jamil | ajamil@islamicartssociety.org Abdur Rehman Badat | Abadat@irusa.org          For more information, click here.           March 30, 2019  -  PAV Community Health Fair   Pakistani American Volunteers Free Checkup , Free Screenings, More than 30+ Doctors in collaboration with Major Health providers & clinics to assist you in Free Screening & Consultation.   Date: Saturday, March 30, 2019 Time: 10 am - 4 pm Location: Rim Jhim Hall, 14639B, Beechnut St., Houston 77083   No Appointment needed please come with friends & family to get advantage of Free Health Services under one roof.   Click here for event flyer.           March 29-31, 2019  -  Scholar Series: Fundamentals of Fiqh Series   The Islamic Dawah Center Library is excited to present an opportunity for students of knowledge and Muslims interested in exploring their faith further to meet world renowned scholar Dr. Said Alkamili. Dr. Alkamali is an authority on Maliki Fiqh. His lectures will discuss the fundamentals of Islamic Fiqh (Usool) and the major work of Imam Malik, the incredible compilation Al-Muwatta. Al Muwatta is the first book to fuse together the sciences of Hadith and fiqh, taking forty years to complete.   All sessions will be in Arabic with instant translation by Joe Bradford   Who Should Attend: Students of knowledge, Muslims interested in exploring the fundementals of fiqh and to increase their knowledge base, Muslims interested in the differences between the four major fiqh schools and related domains Location: Islamic Da'wah Center, 201 Travis Street, Houston, TX 77002    To take advantage of this opportunity, register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scholar-series-registration-56844004949.           March 26, 2019  -  Houston Protest for Yemen   This Protest is being organized against the Saudi led intervention in Yemen, which has resulted in Yemen being the world's worst humanitarian crisis. 1. 14 million people in Yemen or half of the country's population need aid to survive amid fears of an "imminent and great big famine. 2. Potential famine would be "much bigger than anything any professional in this field has seen during their working lives. 3. 130 children under 5 die each day from hunger and disease: 4. A total of almost 100,000 kids are believed to have perished from such causes during 2018 5. 1.8 million children currently facing malnutrition, including 400,000 who are severely malnourished and at risk of death if not urgently treated. 6. More than 8 million children are cut off from regular access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene services. 7. Thousands are so malnourished they don’t even have the energy to cry. 8. 600,000 jobs lost and a least 80 percent of the population living below the poverty line. 9. 1.2 million cases of suspected or confirmed cholera in Yemen since April 2017. 10. 8,000: The number of raids a 3-year old boy has lived through. 11. A child who was born as the conflict broke out has lived through an average of about 14 air raids per day.   Read these statistics, what if these were our children? the least we can do is come out and raise a voice for the innocent men, women and children being massacred by Saudi Arabia. #YemenCantWait     Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2019 Time: 5 PM – 7 PM Location: The Royal Consulate General of Saudi Arabia, 5718 Westheimer Suit# 1500, Houston, Texas 77057   For more information, click here.           March 24, 2019  -  Special Gathering to Benefit Jewish Voice for Peace   Special Gathering benefitting Jewish Voice for Peace with JVP Executive Director Rebecca Vilkomerson    Date: Sunday, March 24, 2019 Time: 6pm Location: Fadi's Mediterranean Grill, 12360 Westheimer Rd., Suite A, Houston, TX, 77077    Jewish Voice for Peace is a progressive national organization working for justice, equality, and dignity for all people of Israel/Palestine.   Learn more here and here, or by watching this video.   We are able to offer a special ticket price of $50 for this event, which includes dinner, until March 16th, after which ticket prices will go up. Please click here to RSVP.   If you have any questions, please email ari@jvp.org.             March 23-24, 2019  -  5th Annual Houston Lebanese Festival      The American Lebanese Cultural Center (ALCC) is excited to announce that the 2019 5th Annual Houston Lebanese Festival will take place on March 23 & 24, 2019 at Constellation Field. Join us to enjoy delicious food, nonstop dancing, and activities for the whole family which include a NEW bazaar this year named "Made in Lebanon" that will bring a range of authentic Lebanese products and brands to you! We will also proudly sponsor a Walk for Hope during the festival weekend as well as contribute a portion of festival entrance proceeds to benefit the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon, an affiliated hospital of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We look forward to seeing you as we support this great cause together!   Date: March 23-24, 2019 Location: Constellation Field, 1 Stadium Dr, Sugar Land, Texas 77498         Saturday, March 23 Schedule   Sunday, March 24 Schedule For more information, visit www.HoustonLebaneseFestival.com.           March 23, 2019  -  Houston Benefit for Rohingya Refugees Organized by Islamic Medical Association of North America - IMANA   Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM Embassy Suites 16435 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas   The Houston community will come together on March 23 for our Save Rohingya program. Come learn about our work, have dinner, and make a difference.   Our speakers include former Denver Nuggets point guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and motivational speaker Abdulhakim Mohamed.   There will be volunteers who share their experiences about the Rohingya Camps.   Additional speakers will be announced soon.         For more information, click here.           March 22, 2019  -  ACC Ladies' Night Out Group: Arab Mother's Day Celebration   The Arab Ladies at Bait Al Arab welcomes all Community Ladies to celebrate Arab Mother's Day, which will take place at ACC on Friday March 22nd. Come join us for a night full of fun and entertainment • Let's party and dance • Snacks and refreshments will be served • Games, raffle Door prize Bazzar and much more • Spread the word to all your friends and neighbors Don't miss a night full of fun, and entertainment. Date: Friday, March 22, 2019 Time: 6-9pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston 77099   TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT, please click HERE.   Kids between age of 3 and 10 will have to be in a separate room with the babysitter, No exceptions please!   Babysitting will be charged $5.00/child. TO RESERVE A SEAT TO YOUR CHILD, please click HERE.   The ACC does not bear responsibility for any harm that could happen to your child who is not baby seated. To book a table for the Bazaar, please contact (832) 351-3366.             March 21, 2019  -  What is the Clause? Panel Discussion about the No-Boycott State Law    What is the Clause? Panel Discussion with CAIR about the No-Boycott State Law   Make sure to come out and learn more about the no boycott state law.    Date: Thursday, March 21, 2019 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: University of Houston, Social Work Building, Room 102    Organized by Defend Our Voice Coalition at the University of Houston.                March 21, 2019  -  City of God   The Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance   A brown bag lecture by Dr. Scott Hanson about the interplay between religious freedom, immigration and pluralism.   How much pluralism and what kinds of pluralism can a pluralist society stand? Explore the ways that America’s long experiment with religious pluralism continues today and how communities respond to rapid demographic change since the Immigration Act of 1965.      Date: March 21, 2019 Time: 12:00 pm Location: Rice University, Meyer Conference Room, RMC/Ley Student Center   This event is free and open to the public, however your registration is requested. To register, or more information, click HERE.   Dr. R. Scott Hanson has been a Lecturer in History, Religious Studies, and Urban Studies at Penn since 2012 and, since 2016, he has served as Director of Penn Summer’s Social Justice Research Academy. He is also an Affiliate of the Pluralism Project at Harvard University. After completing a B.A. in the Plan II Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin, he studied Religion at Columbia University and has a Ph.D. in History of Culture from the University of Chicago. He is the author of City of Gods: Religious Freedom, Immigration, and Pluralism in Flushing, Queens (Fordham University Press, 2016), now in its second printing. City of Gods received a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly and was also featured in the Sunday Book Review of The New York Times. You can read more about his work at www.rscotthanson.com.             March 20, 2019  -  North America Nakba Tour: The Exiled Palestinians   Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Houston (SJP) is proud and honored to welcome the North America Nakba Tour to UH. 89 year-old Nakba survivor, Mariam Fathalla, and great granddaughter of Nakba survivors, Amena Ashkar, will express their stories as Palestinians living in refugee camps in Lebanon.   What was the Nakba exactly? What stories are there to be shared? Below is an excerpt from the North America Nakba Tour going into the context behind the event Wednesday:   "On May 14, 1948, as Zionist leader David Ben Gurion was proclaiming a Jewish state in Palestine, his troops drove out the inhabitants of the ancient Palestinian town of al-Zeeb. 18-year-old Mariam Fathalla was one of them. She and her young husband fled to Lebanon. By year’s end the 4,000-year-old community had been leveled. More than half of all Palestinians were killed or expelled and more than half the cities, towns and villages disappeared, a crime that Palestinians call al-Nakba (the Catastrophe).   Now 89 years old, Mariam has spent the last 71 years in crowded, makeshift refugee camps in Lebanon. She has raised three generations, all waiting to return to Palestine. She has seen five Israeli invasions of Lebanon, as well as the 1976 Tel al-Zaatar camp massacre that killed more than 2000 refugees there.   Mariam wants to meet you. So does Amena Ashkar, the great granddaughter of other Nakba survivors. They have a different message. They do not live in Palestine. They have no citizenship anywhere. They do not live under Israeli occupation. Israel does not allow them to visit their homes, much less live there. Amena never met an Israeli before the Nakba Tour, and Mariam not since 1948. They have a different perspective."     Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Time: 7 p.m. Location:  University of Houston, Agnes Arnold Auditorium 2 (AAA2), 3553 Cullen Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77004   To learn more about the North America Nakba Tour, visit https://nakbatour.com/.             March 20, 2019  -  U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East   During his 37-year Foreign Service career, Ryan Crocker served as U.S. Ambassador to some of the most volatile countries in the world: Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Syria. Most of these countries are in the Middle East, which has been a region of ongoing conflict since the end of World War II. The region has also been of strong interest for the U.S. given its strategic location between Europe and the rest of Asia, and the important role it plays in the global fight on terrorism.   Join Asia Society Texas Center for a conversation with Ambassador Crocker on his thoughts regarding the current U.S. administration's approach to foreign policy in the Middle East and the path forward to a peaceful and sustainable future.   Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Time: 5:45 p.m. - 8 p.m. Location: Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, TX 77004   About the Speaker: Ryan Crocker is a Diplomat in Residence at Princeton University. He is on a leave of absence from Texas A&M, where he is an executive professor and former dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service. He was a career Foreign Service Officer who served six times as an American Ambassador (listed in order of service with first most recent): Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon. Three of these appointments were under Republican administrations and three under Democratic administrations. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, in 2009. Other recent awards include the inaugural Bancroft Award, presented by the Naval Academy in 2016. Also in 2016, he was named an Honorary Fellow of the Literary and Historical Society at University College, Dublin where he was presented the annual James Joyce Award. He is an Honorary Marine.   This event is presented by Asia Society Texas Center. For more information, visit https://asiasociety.org/texas/events/us-foreign-policy-middle-east-ambassador-ryan-crocker.           March 17, 2019  -  Prayer Vigil (Sugar Land)     Fort bend interfaith community will hold a prayer vigil for recent tragic incident in New Zealand. Our county officials and faith community leaders will join to show solidarity and showcase one United voice against hate and racism.   Date: Sunday, March 17, 2019 Time: 6pm - 7pm Location: 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479    Click here for event flyer.           March 17, 2019 - Vigil in Solidarity with New Zealand Victims (Houston)     The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Houston Chapter (CAIR-Houston), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will co-host a vigil on Sunday, March 17 at 7:00p.m. to mourn the deaths of 49 worshipers gunned down in terror attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, during prayers on Friday.   WHAT: Vigil for Victims of New Zealand Terror Attack WHEN: Sunday, March 17 WHERE: 2521 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056-5203, United States TIME: 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. WHO: CAIR-Houston, Sarah Syed, Daniel J. Cohen, Sayed Jamal Hamideh, Emgage, Black Lives Matter, Muslim Students Association and other partners.   Click here for event flyer.          March 17, 2019  -  Peace Cure Benefit Tour   Help Peace4Children build a hospital in Palestine & give children with disabilities free medical care!   Abdul Fattah Owainat, world famous Palestinian Singer & Munshid   Inspirational Speakers: Dr. Main Al-Qudah & Dr. Mahmood O. Dweik Event MC: Zainab Ghwari   Date: Sunday, March 17, 2019 Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston, 77099   Tickets: $50   Register at www.tinyurl.com/peacecuretour         March 16, 2019  -  Vigil to remember the loss of life     The Islamic Society of Greater Houston and Interfaith Community will hold a Vigil to share in the grief and sorrow of our fellow Muslims as one faith community leaders will join us in the expression of solidarity of humanity. Date: Saturday, March 16, 2019 Time: 3 PM – 5 PM Location: Islamic Society of Greater Houston, 3110 Eastside St, Houston, Texas 77098   We are aware of the Sunday Vigil and will be participating in that as well. Due to the availability of the officials ISGH will be holding it on Saturday at 3:00 PM. Come join us in the presence of Sheila Jackson, several elected officials and other faith based community leaders as well.          March 10, 2019  -  illarious Comedy Benefit Tour   Hosted by Penny Appeal USA and illMuslims   Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 4 PM – 7 PM Location: MATCH - Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston, 3400 Main St, Houston, 77002   We teamed up with our favorite charity and some of the funniest comics in our space for a national tour to fight poverty! Penny Appeal USA and illMuslims present: illarious Comedy Benefit Tour.   100% of proceeds go directly to Penny Appeal USA to support programs like OrphanKind. Featuring:    Azhar Usman    Danish Maqbool    Amir K.    Atheer Yacoub    and special guests Tickets: Online Early Discount: $25 (Limited Quantity), Regular: $35   Penny Appeal USA is a nonprofit development organization working to alleviate poverty through sustainable programs. Their mission is to bring about an equitable world by tackling the root causes of poverty, while bridging the gap between funders and poor communities in order to work together on long-term solutions that can help end intergenerational poverty.   “illarious” captures the sentiment and experience of communities targeted by the anti-immigrant / ‘anti-other’ climate in our country today. The tour features material that cheekily explore the themes of ‘being misunderstood’, ‘being unwanted’, and the thought-provoking juxtaposition of being Muslim in America. Featuring an assortment of well known special guests, ‘illarious’’ is a family-friendly engagement for all ages bound to leave you laughing, thinking, and exploring what it means to be ourselves in the world. More details at https://www.facebook.com/events/553943021757799/.         February 2-March 9, 2019  -  Arabic Calligraphy Workshops at ACC     Join us at the Arab American Cultural and Community Center for a new session of Arabic Calligraphy Workshops   Enroll in our workshop to learn the beautiful art of Arabic Calligraphy. There is no requirement of knowing the Arabic language. These workshops are suitable for all ages (from 7 to 90 plus!). The Kickoff Workshop will be the basics of Arabic Calligraphy.   Teacher: Mr. Munther Yousef   Beginners Level Workshop: Roq'a Arabic Script   Saturday February 2 - March 9 (6 classes) Time: From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.   Students will start with the basics of Arabic calligraphy. The Introductory class includes a brief historical background of Arabic calligraphy, an overview of the different styles, an introduction to the rules of letters writing, how to hold the pen, as well as hands-on practice time. A calligraphy kit will be available for every student to purchase and keep. Students take home their names written in Arabic calligraphy!   Students will then move to learning the Roq'a script. Roq’a is often the first font introduced to beginners as it is relatively easier than other sophisticated Arabic calligraphy scripts. Workshop consists of 6 classes total. The class will culminate with a project under the teacher supervision. Workshop Cost (6 weeks): Total $150 + Any supply kit Supply Kit: $25 PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO REFUND. LIMITED SPACE- SIGN UP EARLY   For more details and to enroll, please contact the ACC at 832-351-3366. To register, please click HERE.       March 3, 2019  -  ILM Academy Gala   ILM Academy's spin-off - ILM Academy: A Muslim American Story, performed by our talented students.    Come and celebrate the history of ILM Academy, the achievements of our students, and have dinner with supporters like you who are helping our students make history.   The program will include ILM Academy's renditions of three performances from the hit Broadway show Hamilton: An American Story by our talented students, and also the grand announcement of ILM Academy's new principal.   It'll be held on Sunday, March 3 at 5:30pm at the Omni Houston Hotel at Westside.   For any questions, please contact the gala head, Basmah Salam, at bsalam@ilmacademy.org.        March 2, 2019  -  Sugar Land Mediterranean Festival   The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste Orthodox Church   Mediterranean festival Kids games Food Music   Date: Saturday, March 2, 2019 Time: 11 AM - 11 PM Location: 340 Eldridge Rd   For more info, click here.                 February 28-March 2, 2019  -  Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis     Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 7:00 PM to 4:30 PM on Saturday, March 2, 2019   Join the Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas for a three day symposium exploring the current climate crisis, its impact on vulnerable communities, and mitigation efforts being implemented locally and nationally. Given the global interconnectedness of the climate crisis, the symposium will explore how best to move to a zero emission, low carbon economy through the engagement of presenters from religious, Indigenous, public health, energy, government, philanthropic, academic and arts sectors and communities. A central focus will be on individual and institutional actions, practices and policies that must be taken to create a more livable and equitable future. Opening Keynote Address, Thursday, February 28, 7pm Somini Sengupta, New York Times Global Climate Reporter and George Polk Award-winning foreign correspondent Somini Sengupta, The New York Times’s international climate reporter, tells the stories of communities and landscapes most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. A George Polk Award-winning foreign correspondent, she has reported from a Congo River ferry, a Himalayan glacier, the streets of Baghdad and Mumbai and many places in between. As The Times’s United Nations correspondent, she reported on global challenges from war to women's rights. Her first book, The End of Karma: Hope and Fury Among India's Young was published in 2016 by W.W. Norton. She grew up in India, Canada and the United States, graduating from the University of California at Berkeley.   Presentations and Panels on Friday, March 1 through Saturday, March 2.   For more details and/or to register, click here.                 February 5-28, 2019 - Food Drive For Syrian Refugees in Jordan/Lebanon     Date: Feb 5-28, 2019 Location: 10401 Rockley Rd, Houston, TX 77099   "The most beloved to Allah are those who are most beneficial to people" Al- Mu'jam al-Awsat   Since the Syrian Uprising in March of 2011, many civilians fled to Jordan and Lebanon with nothing. Seeking shelter in a different country, many Syrians turned to Jordanian Lebanese citizens and humanitarian aid for help. It has been seven years and Syrian refugees, the vast majority being widows and orphans, have not been receiving the proper aid. As the Houston community, we should be doing our part in alleviating the suffering of our brothers and sisters. We must start now to make sure that this Ramadan, they know that we have not forgotten about them. How can we sleep with our stomachs full, while our brothers and sisters go to bed hungry? Alhamdulilah we have the opportunity to collect various food items to feed 800 families. Helping Hand for Relief and Development plans on sending this food container to Jordan and Lebanon with YOUR help. The container will primarily benefit Syrian refugees, with a portion going to Palestinian Refugees and needy Jordanians living in harsh conditions. Each box will contain the following items:   1 x Rice (20 lbs)   1 x Pinto Beans (8 lbs)   2 x Pure Sugar (4 lbs)   1 x Vegetable Oil (1 Gal)   1 x Black Tea (100 ct)   4 x Spaghetti (2 lbs)   *ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST BE PURCHASED AT GREAT VALUE BRAND (WAL-MART). IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE FOOD ITEMS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE ABOVE DESCRIPTIONS, OR THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ALSO, FOOD ITEMS MUST NOT EXPIRE WITHIN THE NEXT 10 MONTHS.   Please call before dropping by: Yousra Alshorafa 281-912-8986, Abdul Rahman 832-296-0598   Helping Hand USA. For more information, click here.       February 24, 2019  -  Dabke Performance    Dabke Performance by Al Hurriyeh Dabke Troup and Al Awdah Dabke Troup   Date: Sunday, February 24, 2019 Time: 12 pm - 2 pm Location: City Centre, 800 Town and Country Blvd., Houston, TX.                   February 23, 2019  -  FECC Annual Fundraising Gala!    Friends of Egyptian Children with Cancer is having their 18th Annual Fundraising Gala.   FECC’s Vision is to provide a cure for the Children of Egypt afflicted with Cancer.   Speaker: Naila Seif, President, FECC Entertainment by: Sal Maktoub (Tanoura dancer) Bella Donna Dance AHMED Yacout (singer)   Date: Saturday, February 23, 2019 Time: 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm Location: Double Tree by Hilton – Greenway Plaza, 6 Greenway Plaza, Houston, TX 77046   Ticket Price: $150/person or $1500/table of 10   Come join us with and evening of fellowship, a wonderful meal, entertainment, and silent & live auctions.   For questions regarding this event, call (713) 822-7073.   FECC is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.   For more information, visit http://www.fecchouston.org/.                February 22, 2019 - Divided We Fall? Islam in the Age of Identity Politics   Identity politics has become a politically charged term, both on the left and the right. At its most essential core, it is when people of a particular racial, religious, ethnic, social, or cultural identity promote their own specific interests or concerns over that of any larger political group. For Muslims in the West, this term has its own implications. How should Muslims think about identity politics and what are the pros and cons? What does it mean to be an American-Muslim in 2019 America? Join us for a fascinating discussion featuring leading scholars Imam Zaid Shakir and Hatem Bazian. This event is in cooperation with Zaytuna College.   Date: Friday, February 22, 2019 Time: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM Location: Maryam Islamic Center, 504 Sartartia Rd, Sugar Land, Texas 77479   Free and open to the public. All are welcome.   IMAM ZAID SHAKIR has taught courses in Arabic, Islamic spirituality, contemporary Muslim thought, and Shafi’i fiqh at Zaytuna College. He presently teaches Islamic history and politics. He speaks and writes on a wide range of topics and has become a voice of conscience for American Muslims as well as people of other faiths. He is regularly included as one of the Western world’s most influential Muslim scholars in The Muslim 500, an annual ranking edited by John Esposito and Ibrahim Kalin. He is also one of the signatories of "A Common Word Between Us and You," an open letter by Islamic scholars to Christian leaders that calls for peace and mutual understanding. He holds an M.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University. He is one of three co-founders of Zaytuna College and serves on its Board of Trustees.   DR. HATEM BAZIAN is Provost, Co-Founder and Professor at Zaytuna College. Dr. Bazian is also a Teaching Professor in the Departments of Near Eastern and Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Bazian is an adviser to the Religion, Politics, and Globalization Center at UC Berkeley. In 2009, he founded the Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project at UC Berkeley, Editor-in-Chief of the Islamophobia Studies Journal and Founder and Director of the International Islamophobia Studies Consortium. Dr. Bazian is on the board of several organizations, including the Islamic Scholarship Fund, Muslim Legal Fund of America and Muslim Americans for Palestine, for which he is also the founding president.                  February 22, 2019 - Ladies Night Gathering at Bait Al-Arab ACC   The ACC Ladies' Night Out Group at Bait Al-Arab (ACC) Date: Friday, February 22, 2019 Time: 6-9pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston 77099   Valentine Celebration The Arab Ladies at Bait Al Arab welcomes all Community Ladies to celebrate Valentine, which will take place at ACC on Friday February 22nd.   Come join us for a night full of fun and entertainment • Music and Dance hosted by DJ FAR7A AND HALHULA. • Get your favorite music ready. • Let's party and dance . • Spread the word to all your friends and neighbors. • Snacks and refreshments will be served. • Games,raffle Door prize Bazzar and much more.   Don't miss a night full of fun, and entertainment.   TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT, please click HERE. Kids between age of 3 and 12 will have to be in a separate room with the babysitter, No exceptions please!   Babysitting will be charged $5.00/child. TO RESERVE A SEAT TO YOUR CHILD, please click HERE.   The ACC does not bear responsibility for any harm that could happen to your child who is not baby seated. To book a table for the Bazaar, please contact (832) 351-3366.                   February 21, 2019  -  Weaponization of Culture: The Role of Culture in Politics     Speaker: Ali Velshi, News Anchor & Business Correspondent, NBC News   Ali Velshi is an MSNBC Anchor, co-host of "MSNBC Live with Velshi & Ruhle" Monday to Friday at 11aET, "Velshi & Ruhle" on Saturday's at 1230pET, and "MSNBC Live with Ali Velshi" Monday to Friday at 3pET. He is also a Business Correspondent for NBC News.    Date: Thursday, February 21, 2019 Time: 5:45PM - 8:00PM Location: Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, TX 77004   Culture and diversity can be a tool used to unify a country or nation; however, as seen by recent global political movements, it can also be used to polarize and segment populations. Populist campaigns, both on the left and right of the political spectrum, have served to endorse the social norms and attitudes of those who feel disenfranchised by the establishment. Values have been at the epicenter of debate in recent elections across the Americas and Europe; however, this is not a concept unique to the Western world. In India, identity politics and the relationship to culture also play a major role in the world's largest democracy. Global Affairs & Economics journalist Ali Velshi examines the current phenomenon and spread of culture wars, and culture's role in both curbing and spreading populist ideas. Ali is back at Asia Society by popular demand to discuss this very important issue facing our community, country, and society.   This event is presented by Asia Society Texas Center. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://asiasociety.org/texas/events/weaponization-culture.             February 19, 2019 - The Early History of the Arab-American Community The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences & The Arab-American Education Foundation Chair in Modern Arab History at the University of Houston invite you to the Nijad and Zeina Fares Arab-American Educational Foundation Annual Distinguished Lecture in Modern Arab Studies on "The Early History of the Arab-American Community" by Dr. Akram Khater (North Carolina State University).   Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2019 Time: Reception: 6:00 pm, Lecture: 6:30 pm Location: Hilton University of Houston, Waldorf-Astoria Ballroom, 4800 Calhoun, Houston 77004     Akram Khater Ph.D. (UC Berkeley) is University Faculty Scholar, Professor of History, Khayrallah Chair in Diaspora Studies, and Director of the Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies at North Carolina State University. His books include Inventing Home: Emigration, Gender and the Making of a Lebanese Middle Class, 1861-1921; A History of the Middle East: A Sourcebook for the History of the Middle East and North Africa; and Embracing the Divine: Passion and Politics in the Christian Middle East. He is the editor of the International Journal of Middle East Studies, has completed a 2012 PBS documentary on the history of the Lebanese community in North Carolina, was the senior curator for a museum exhibit on the same topic that opened on February 21, 2014, and was also the curator of the traveling exhibit, The Lebanese in America, which has toured six US cities, and will continue to tour through 2019.    Click here for event flyer.                  February 17, 2019  -  "Hearts, Tears & The Journey of Life"    Book Signing Event: Hearts, Tears & The Journey of Life, Loving, Lamenting and Meditation, Middle Eastern Style by Tarif Youssef Agha, an Expatriate Arab Syrian Writer & Poet       Date: Sunday February 17, 2019 Time: 2:00 Noon to 6:00 PM Location: Town and Country Barns & Noble Book Store, 12850 Memorial Dr. # 1600, Houston, TX 77024         February 15, 2019  -  "Morocco through the Film Maker's Lens" by Hakim Belabbes   The University of Houston Department of English and The Arab-American Educational Foundation's Chair of Modern Arab History presents "Morocco through the Film Maker's Lens".   Date: Friday, February 15, 2019 Time:  1:00 - 3:00pm Lunch Provided Location: University of Houston, Roy G Cullen Room 105   Hakim Belabbes is an award winning Moroccan-American independent filmmaker of both features and documentaries, known for his experimental touch. Among his films are: Weight of The Shadow (2014), Defining Love: A Failed Attempt (2013), Fragments (2011), Boiling Dreams (2010), These Hands... (2008), Why O’ Sea? (2006), Threads (2003), and A Nest in the Heat (2001).   He will be in conversation with local film critic, Latif Adnane. Join us as he shares his vision via excerpts from his filmography.   Click here for event flyer.         February 15, 2019  -  "Sweat Rain" Film Screening Presented by Latif Adnane SWEAT RAIN Directed by Hakim Belabbes 2017, Morocco, 2h 6m Presented by Latif Adnane Date: Friday, February 15 2019 Time: Doors open at 6:30, Film screening begin at 7 Location: Rice Media Center, Auditorium #100   Admission for the screening will be donated to Down Syndrome Association of Houston   Synopsis On an ancestral piece of land in central Morocco, M’barek, a small farmer lives with his pregnant wife, Aida, his old sick father, and his son, Ayoub, an adolescent with Down Syndrome. A drought is in full swing, and to deal with it, M’barek spends his time trying to dig a well, that he hopes, could lessen the impact of the drought on his land. M’barek also owes money to the Crédit Agricole Bank. He can barely provide for his family, with a new baby soon to arrive. Ayoub lives in his parallel world. He is dreamy, and spends his time between the forest where he herds the small family flock of sheep, and school. Aida does her best to hold the balance within the family. In her role as a mother and a wife, she tries to alleviate her husband’s anxieties as he faces a deadline to pay his debt. About the director Hakim Belabbes is an award winning Moroccan-American independent filmmaker. Among his films are: Weight of The Shadow (2014), Defining Love: A Failed Attempt (2013), Fragments (2011), Boiling Dreams (2010), These Hands… (2008), Why O’ Sea? (2006), Threads (2003), and A Nest in the Heat (2001). Hakim Belabbes graduated from the Mohamed V University in Rabat, Morocco and Columbia College in Chicago, where he is currently teaching film direction and production. Hakim Belabbes also created and runs The Sahara Lab Film Institute, an initiative to teach the art and craft of filmmaking in the remote southern region of Morocco. This event is sponsored by: CinemaNa and AMERICAN MOROCCAN BUSINESS COUNCIL   For more information, click here.         February 15, 2019  -  Civil Rights Movement & the Similarities with BLM Movement Join us for an in depth look into the Civil Rights Movement and the Similarities with the Black Lives Matter Movement with Imam Khalid Griggs and Imam Wazir Ali at Masjid At-Taqwa. Food will be served as well.   Date: Friday, February 15, 2019 Time: 8 PM Location: 10415 Synott Rd, Sugar Land, TX 77498-1132, United States    Hosted by ICNA Houston   For more information, click here.         February 11, 2019  -  Soraya Chemaly Presents Rage Becomes Her Brazos Bookstore is pleased to present Soraya Chemaly, in partnership with Rice University and Rice’s Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality.   “Relentless and revelatory.” —The New Yorker “Urgent, enlightening.” —The Washington Post   Rage Becomes Her is an “utterly eye opening” (Bustle) book that gives voice to the causes, expressions, and possibilities of female rage.   Date: Monday, February 11, 2019 Time: 7 PM – 8 PM Location: Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet St, Houston, Texas 77005   As women, we’ve been urged for so long to bottle up our anger, letting it corrode our bodies and minds in ways we don’t even realize. Yet there are so, so many legitimate reasons for us to feel angry, ranging from blatant, horrifying acts of misogyny to the subtle drip, drip drip of daily sexism that reinforces the absurdly damaging gender norms of our society. In Rage Becomes Her (Atria Books), Soraya Chemaly argues that our anger is not only justified, it is also an active part of the solution. We are so often encouraged to resist our rage or punished for justifiably expressing it, yet how many remarkable achievements would never have gotten off the ground without the kernel of anger that fueled them? Approached with conscious intention, anger is a vital instrument, a radar for injustice and a catalyst for change. On the flip side, the societal and cultural belittlement of our anger is a cunning way of limiting and controlling our power—one we can no longer abide. “A work of great spirit and verve” (Time), Rage Becomes Her is a validating, energizing read that will change the way you interact with the world around you. Soraya Chemaly is an award-winning writer and activist whose work focuses on the role of gender in culture, politics, religion, and media. She is the Director of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project and an advocate for women’s freedom of expression and expanded civic and political engagement. A prolific writer and speaker, her articles appear in Time, the Verge, The Guardian, The Nation, HuffPost, and The Atlantic. Follow her on Twitter at @SChemaly and learn more at SorayaChemaly.com.                 February 1, 2019  -  Speaking Truth to Power - Mehdi Hasan in Conversation Please join us for a compelling conversation with renowned journalist Mehdi Hasan!   Perhaps no topic is as relevant today in the world as speaking truth to power - from regimes who seek to silence journalists to brave voices who stand up for the voiceless, we have entered an era when moral clarity is rare and speaking up for the Truth is risky business. Join us as we welcome Mehdi Hasan to explore this very topic from multiple dimensions.   Date: Friday, February 1, 2019 Time: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM Location: Maryam Islamic Center, 504 Sartartia Rd, Sugar Land, Texas 77479    MEHDI HASAN is a columnist and senior contributor at The Intercept. He is the host of The Intercept podcast “Deconstructed.” Hasan is also the host of Al Jazeera English’s “UpFront.” He has interviewed, among others, Edward Snowden, Hamid Karzai, Ehud Olmert, and Gen. Michael Flynn. He is also the author of two books — a biography of former U.K. Labor Party leader Ed Miliband and an e-book on the financial crisis and austerity economics. He is based in Washington, D.C.   Organized by Risala Foundation.              January 29, 2019  -  Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon     Join Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Houston (SJP) and LEAP Program to learn more about the Palestinian condition in Lebanon and how you can get involved! LEAP program volunteers will report back on the refugee reality within Lebanon and share their experiences working in the Palestine Refugee camps.   A presentation on the history of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and their current living, working and educational conditions.         Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Time: 6 PM – 8 PM Location: University of Houston, Social Work 102          January 29, 2019  -  Texas Muslim Capital Day     Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Location: Austin, Texas   More information will be posted as it becomes available.             January 26, 2019  -  Lecture | Dr. Nada Shabout Join art historian and writer Dr. Nada Shabout for a conversation that views Nicolas Moufarrege’s work within the broader context of cultural traditions in Beirut and the Middle East.   Date: Saturday, January 26, 2019 Time: 2 PM – 3 PM Location: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 5216 Montrose Blvd, Houston, Texas 77006    About Dr. Nada Shabout Dr. Nada Shabout is a Professor of Art History and the Coordinator of the Contemporary Arab and Muslim Cultural Studies Initiative (CAMCSI) at the University of North Texas, Denton. She is the founding president of the Association for Modern and Contemporary Art from the Arab World, Iran and Turkey (AMCA) and founder and project director of the Modern Art Iraq Archive (MAIA). She was the Consulting Director of Research at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha, Qatar and the Editor-in-Chief of the Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World. She is the author of Modern Arab Art: Formation of Arab Aesthetics, University of Florida Press, 2007; co-editor with Salwa Mikdadi of New Vision: Arab Art in the 21st Century, Thames & Hudson, 2009; and co-editor with Anneka Lenssen and Sarah Rogers of Modern Art in the Arab World: Primary Documents, part of the International Program at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York, 2018.           January 25, 2019  -  The ACC Ladies' Night Out Group The ACC Ladies' Night Out Group At Bait Al-Arab (ACC)   Date: Friday, January 25th Time: From 6-9pm Location: Arab American Cultural & Community Center, 10555 Stancliff Rd, Houston 77099   New year Celebration The Arab Ladies at Bait Al Arab welcomes all Community Ladies to kickoff our 2019 New year monthly Ladies Night Gatherings to share our new year resolutions, which will take place at ACC on Friday January 25th. Come join us for a night full of fun and entertainment • Dress up in formal attire. • Get your favorite music ready. • Come ready to share with your new year resolution. • Let's party and dance . • Spread the word to all your friends and neighbors. • Snacks and refreshments will be served. • Games, raffle Door prize Bazaar and much more.   Don't miss a night full of fun, and entertainment.   TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT, please click HERE Kids between age of 3 and 12 will have to be in a separate room with the babysitter, No exceptions please! Babysitting will be charged $5.00/child . TO RESERVE A SEAT TO YOUR CHILD, please click HERE The ACC does not bear responsibility for any harm that could happen to your child who is not baby seated. To book a table for the Bazaar, please contact (832) 351-3366.            January 23, 2019  -  'This Is Home': Syrian Refugee Documentary Screening and Q&A Discussion Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM - 9:15 PM Location: Rice Cinema, Rice Media Center, 2030 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005    Q & A with Suzy Cop, Executive Director of IRC Texas and Elena Korbut, Community Engagement Leader, Interfaith Ministries   Registration: 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Film Screening: 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. Q&A Pannel Discussion: 8:45 - 9:15 p.m.   'This is Home' follows the lives of four Syrian families as they transition from life in Syria to adjusting in the United States. Displaced from their homes and separated from loved ones, they are given eight months of assistance from the International Rescue Committee to become self-sufficient. As they learn to adapt to challenges such as learning English, getting a job, and being separated from family due to the newly imposed travel ban, their strength and resilience are tested.   It is a universal story, highlighted by humor and heartbreak, about what it's like to start over, no matter the obstacles. We witness the families' struggles and triumphs up close through the drama of everyday life. Through intimate access, this cinema vérité film takes a fresh look at the classic American immigration story and challenges us to see past differences to find common ground. 'This is Home' goes beyond the statistics, headlines, and political rhetoric to tell deeply personal stories, putting a human face on the global refugee crisis.   Organized by the World Affairs Council of Houston. For more information, click here.           January 21, 2019 - 41st Annual “Original” Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Holiday Festival Join us as we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the federal holiday weekend with a commemorative parade and community activities throughout the weekend. Our parade is held in partnership with the City of Houston and the Black Heritage Society. Please note the parade will take place in the Downtown Streets near City Hall. For more information, visit http://blackheritagesociety.org/.     January 19, 2019  -  Houston Women's March   We march, we vote, we change the world. Join us to celebrate progress and take our next steps into the future.   Date: Saturday, January 19, 2019 Time: 9 AM – 12 PM Location: 901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002     For more information, visit https://www.houstonwomensmarch.org/.             January 17, 2019  -  U.S.-Iran Relations after the Nuclear Deal   The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was negotiated between Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Germany, and the European Union in mid-2015. JCPOA laid a framework for Iran to drastically reduce, and in some ways to eliminate, its stockpiles of enriched uranium. However, earlier this year, the United States withdrew from the agreement, imposing new trade sanctions on Iran. The decision renewed tensions between the United States and Iran and poses new questions about the future of international efforts on the denuclearization agreement. Join Asia Society Texas Center for a discussion with Johns Hopkins SAIS Dean Vali Nasr, a leading scholar and expert on American foreign policy and Iran, who will discuss the future of U.S.-Iran relations and what the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement means for the international community. Date: Thursday, January 17, 2019 Time: 5:45 - 8 p.m. Location: Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, TX 77004   About the Speaker: Vali Nasr is Dean and Professor of International Politics at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He is a Middle East scholar, foreign policy adviser, and commentator on international relations. His most recent book, The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat, deals with the implications of the Obama administration's foreign policy on American strategic interests. His previous books, Forces of Fortune: How the Rise of a Muslim Middle Class Can Change Our World; The Shiva Revival; and Democracy in Iran, examined political change in Iran; the postwar sectarian violence in Iraq; and the Arab Spring uprising. He has served as columnist for The New York Times and Bloomberg View; and has written on Iran and the Middle East for Foreign Affairs, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic, among other publications. Prior to being named Dean of Johns Hopkins SAIS, Nasr was a professor of international politics at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. From 2009 to 2011, he was the special adviser to the President's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan; he served on the faculties of the Naval Postgraduate School, Stanford University, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of San Diego; he was a Carnegie scholar and a senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. He received a Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.   This event is presented by Asia Society Texas Center. For more information, visit https://asiasociety.org/texas/events/us-iran-relations-after-nuclear-deal.     January 6, 2019  -  Al Hurriyah Holiday Party Al Hurriyah presents an afternoon full of great music, prizes, and dabke! Come out and bring your friends and family and party with us!   Date: Sunday, January 6, 2019 Time: 1 PM – 3 PM Location: City Center Houston, 800 Town and Country Blvd, Houston, Texas 77024   You don’t want to miss out on a special performance never seen before in Houston!   Win a Free Glass Hookah and watch out for our giveaway to 2 Houston Rockets tickets!!    For more info, click here.                January 5-6, 2019  -  Texas Dawah Convention This years program focuses on real day to day struggles that you face in your lives, the community and within your family.   The theme for this year’s convention is “Footsteps of Greatness”. Muslims often carry a sentimental tone when addressing our past. From art and literature to scholastic advancements to military and political triumphs, the history of Muslims is looked to for both inspirations and nostalgia. Conversely, a quick appraisal of the current state of Muslims would indicate to any observer a darker picture. Despite that, in the midst of the current negative climate surrounding Islam and Muslims, we also see beacons of hope all around us in successful entrepreneurs, professionals, artists, athletes, inventors, politicians, activists, scholars and academicians.   Location: 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas 77010   To register, learn more about the history of TDC or find out more about this years convention and program, follow the link below!   https://goingtotdc.com/

Click here for a list of Current/Upcoming Events.