FOM Events Calendar

Live! on Woodrow Wilson Plaza A Free Summer Performance Series including Gibraltar Band on Friday, August 28, 2009 from 12:00 pm to 1:30pm
Gibraltar's music is not restricted to one genre, and the styles of music cross every border that the band members crossed in their paths. Growing up in North Africa as Berbers, Kamel, Abdel and Hacene were exposed to different languages (Berber, Arabic, French, English and Spanish) and consequently to different types of music such as rock, blues, jazz, traditional Berber, gipsy, French, rai, and chaabi (popular North African). On stage, Gibraltar sings in all these languages and the repertoire varies between rumba, reggae, gnawi, rai and Berber songs. The variety keeps the music rich and audiences more attracted and interested.

Ramadan in 2009 will start on Friday, the 21st of August in Morocco and will continue for 30 days until Saturday, the 19th of September. Based on sightability in North America, in 2009 Ramadan will start in North America a day later - on Saturday, the 22nd of August.

The MOROCCAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER 2009 ANNUAL CONVENTION in Orlando Florida on October 24th to 25th, 2009.

Over 1000 community members representing 32 states across the USA will participate in this two day event in addition to 15 dignitaries, industry and community leaders. The MACC 09 Convention will showcase 20 Exhibits on trade, real state, investments, banking and tourism. The event will also host for the first time in the USA, the Sahara Day, a cultural showcase about the Moroccan Sahara, it’s people, music and tradition.

As part of the 2 days program, the Moroccan Consulate in New York will establish it’s mobile office in the MACC Convention to provide Moroccans residing in the USA a full range of administrative services.

The convention will also host on the evening of the 24th, the Bladi Award ceremony to recognize active community members in the fields of Academic Research, Business, Arts and Social Work.

“It is our pleasure to build a bridge between Morocco and the USA. The MACC convention in Orlando will mark a new day for our community. It is our objective to showcase Morocco; it’s industry, tourism and services to Americans who are interested in exploring what this rich land has to offer.” Said Driss R. Temsamani, Founder of the Moroccan American Community Center.

“In Celebration of the Washington Moroccan Club 20th Anniversary, it is a unique opportunity to partner with the Moroccan American Community Center in this annual convention to be held in Orlando. As Morocco marks it’s new footprint in the World under the leadership of his Majesty the King Mohammed VI, we are pleased to bring together a world-class event, the Sahara Day, to the American community.” Commented Hassan Samrhouni President of the Washington Moroccan Club.

Berbers in Morocco: Forgotten Indigenous People Or Living Cultural Force?
Spring 2010 Georgetown University, Washington DC organized by Washington Moroccan Club

Current international and foreign policy discourse often summarily groups Morocco and the other Maghreb countries with the rest of the “Arab world.” This shorthand masks the unique multicultural characteristics of Moroccan society, which is shaped by indigenous Berber (or “Amazigh”) culture, in addition to Arab culture and language. Please join us to celebrate Moroccan Amazigh heritage and learn about recent developments in the management of diversity that have been playing out in Moroccan society. Scholars from the fields of anthropology, ethnomusicology, human rights, and other key disciplines will discuss Amazigh culture and explore Amazigh ethnicity -- why and how it was officially marginalized for many years, the impact of French colonization, and the recent movement for revitalization.

A reception will follow the discussion, with musical entertainment by Moroccan Berber musical group and an Amazigh art exhibit

Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Celebration
Sept. 22-25, 2011 The National Mall, Washington, DC
This four-day series of events will include many activities honoring the service and impact of 200,000 Peace Corps Volunteers and include a wreath-laying ceremony at President Kennedy’s grave and a walk across Memorial Bridge carrying flags representing Peace Corps’ 139 countries of service.