Events Calendar
for Friends of Morocco in the USA
Past Events

    SAIDA FIKRI on TOUR in USA and CANADA
Moroccan Singer / Songwriter to Perform Live in NY, Boston, Washington DC & Montreal. The internationally known singer-songwriter Saida Fikri will be performing live in New York, Boston, Washington and Montreal, Canada in April 2008.

Known for her unique style in fusing modern and traditional melodies, Saida Fikri composes and performs poetic songs in a combination of
Morrocan dialect, Classical Arabic, French, and English. Saida Fikri’s music displays a profound concern for the hardships, struggles and suffering of the ordinary people of Morocco. Her songs dared to be the voice of the Moroccan masses at a time when it was politically difficult to do so. But her themes -- social justice, peace, alienation, exile and tolerance -- are universal to humanity.

Saida Fikri’s concert schedule :
Sat. April 5, 2008 -- 8PM New York, NY Chian Federation 44-01 Broadway Astoria, New York 11105
Thu. April 10, 2008 -- 8PM Boston, MA Tower Auditorium Massachusetts College of Art 621 Huntington Avenue Boston, Mass. 02115
Fri. April 18, 2008 -- 8PM Washington, DC Rossyln Spectrum Theatre 1611 N. Kent Street Arlington, VA 22209
Sat. April 26, 2008 -- 9PM Montreal, Canada Kola Note Club 5240, Ave. du Parc Montréal, Quebec H2V 4G7 Canada
# # #
WORLD RHYTHMS & MELODIES, LLC P.O. Box 34 • Riverside, CT 06878 Tel (203) 661-2368 * Fax 203-724-0868 * Email : wrm.llc@earthlink.net
Contact : Alexander Khan Tel : (202) 449-9769 Email : concert@saidafikri.net

Friends of Morocco Reservations

    The Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development presents "Songs from the Gulf" with Souhail Kaspar and Rachid Halihal
Friday, 25 April 2008 at the The Jerusalem Fund 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15
Grammy nominee Souhail Kaspar (www.neareastmusic.com) and internationally acclaimed musician Rachid Halihal (www.rachidhalihalmusic.com) team up to present a performance of popular songs from the Gulf. Kaspar is a master percussionist trained at the Conservatory of Traditional Arabic Music in Aleppo and Halihal is a multi-talented oud/violin player and vocalist trained at the Conservatory of Music in Fez. Kaspar has performed with Sabah, Fairuz, Cheb Mami and Kathem al-Saher, among others. In 2002 he partnered with Naser Musa to record Khaliji, a collection of popular songs from the Gulf which garnered critical acclaim. Halihal has performed with the Andalus Orchestra of Fez as well as with the beloved Gulf singers Mohamed Abdu, Abdel Mageed Abdallah, and Rachid el Maajid.

Tickets available at 202.338.1958 or at door. Seating is very limited; advance purchase recommended.

The Palestine Center 2425 Virginia Avenue, NW Washington, District of Columbia 20037 Tel. (202) 338-1290

    The Arab Maghreb Union: What Are Its Prospects?
Lecture and reception
Featuring Dr. Hadi Baccouche
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 6:30pm
Georgetown University CCAS Boardroom (ICC 241) Washington, DC
RSVP here
Co-sponsored by the American-Tunisian Association 

  Sefrou, Morocco Observed: The Photographs of Paul Hyman
November 28, 2007 to December 16, 2007
In 1969, fashion photographer Paul Hyman visited his boyhood friend, anthropologist Paul Rabinow, who was conducting fieldwork in Morocco with the eminent anthropologists Clifford and Hildred Geertz. See more than forty of Hyman's images of Sefrou's people and places, made during his four month stay. These photographs are exhibited in conjunction with the UCLA conference Islam Re-observed: Clifford Geertz in Morocco.
News Release Link
News Release PDF

    Islam Re-Observed: Clifford Geertz in Morocco
A conference considering the work in Morocco of eminent anthropologist Clifford Geertz (1926-2006). Organized by Susan Slyomovics, UCLA, and Lahouari Addi, University of Lyon.
Thursday, December 06, 2007 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Fowler Museum at UCLA Box 951549 Los Angeles CA 90095-1549
Phone: 310/825-4361 Fax: 310/206-7007 Email: fowlerws@arts.ucla.edu

    Meridian International Center Embassy Chefs Series: Monday, December 3 Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco at Meridian International Center with Ambassador and Mrs. Aziz Mekouar
1630 Crescent Place, NW Washington, DC 20009 TEL: (202) 667-6800 FAX: (202) 667-1475

Each month in the Series, Georgetown author and diplomatic correspondent Gail Scott will take you on an international culinary adventure.  Meet the ambassador and spouse for an exclusive Meridian evening. After a personal welcome, the ambassador’s Executive Chef (or a top chef brought in just for this event) will present a private cooking demonstration.

Learn how each country’s rich culture influences their cuisine and native dishes.  Special Recipes and Chef’s Secrets will be available along with information about how and where to get the ingredients.   Celebrate each month’s “Magic Carpet Ride” with a “Tasting Buffet” that will enchantingly transport you to each particular country — without the crowds, security lines, expense of airfares and hotels.

Meridian’s Producer and Host Gail Scott, author of Diplomatic Dance: The New Embassy Life in America, is a columnist and contributing writer for Washington Life and The Washington Diplomat and a frequent contributor to The Washington Times. Ms. Scott, a native of the Nation’s Capital, is Washington’s first solo TV anchorwoman and has been covering Embassy Row for more than three decades.

    Smithsonian Associates Program "The Romans in Tunisia" by Christopher Gregg, an Assistant Professor of Art History at the George Mason University. The event will be Monday, December 3, from 6:45 to 9:00 PM at one of the Smithsonian locations on the Washington Mall.

For 500 years, Rome dominated its African provinces. The Romans controlled a network of agricultural estates, notable for a dazzling array of baths, villas, temples, amphitheaters, sculptures, and mosaics. Explore these sites in Tunisia, while learning about this unique culture that thrived during the height of the Roman Empire.

You can register in person, by phone, online, or by mail. Use Code 1 WO 373. www.ResidentAssociates.org (No handling fee) 202-633-3030 with a $3 handling fee In person: S. Dillon Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Dr., SW, Suite 3077 Washington, DC 20560 By Fax: 202-786-2034 with a $3 handling fee By Mail: The Smithsonian Associates (No handling fee) Smithsonian Institution, Dept. 0603 Washington, DC 20073-0603 Cost: Resident Members $30 Senior Members $27 General Admission $40 For questions about this program, please call the Smithsonian Associate office at 202-633-3030.

    The Jerusalem Fund presents it's Annual Souk and Olive Harvest Celebration
Saturday , 8 December 2007 11:0 0 a.m. - 4 :00 p.m. 2425 Virginia Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20037 USA
Experience the ambience of a Middle Eastern souk (market) right here in Washington, DC . Enjoy an afternoon of music, coffee, food, henna painting, and the sales of textiles, pottery, jewelry and gifts from North Africa and the Middle East. Celebrate the annual olive harvest in Palestine and support Palestinian farmers by purchasing bottles of fair trade extra virgin olive oil and olive oil soap imported from Palestine. Bring your family and friends to this fun and vibrant event! This event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required to attend.   
Directions and Parking Information

    Audiovisual Presentation on Sacred Music and Performance in Morocco on Wednesday, November 28, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Followed by a light North African meal featuring bastilla
Dr. Deborah Kapchan, New York University
Location:   Johns Hopkins University ( SAIS) (please note change of venue) Rome Auditorium, 1619 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, first floor
RSVP: Free to the public. RSVP's appreciated at rsvp@maghrebcenter.org or 202 470 2050. 3528 S Street, NW • Washington DC 20007, USA • Email: administration@maghrebcenter.org

Deborah Kapchan is an engaging, longtime observer of the intersection of culture, women’s issues, and globalization in Morocco. She will make a multimedia presentation examining the recent evolution of rich sacred music traditions as a part of the Maghreb Center speaker series.

Dr. Kapchan is currently Associate Professor of Performance Studies at New York University. The working title of her latest article and this lecture is Performing the Festive Sacred: Sufi Tourism in Morocco. She is also the author of Gender on the Market: Moroccan Women and the Revoicing of Tradition and the widely anticipated Traveling Spirit Masters: Moroccan Trance Music in the Global Marketplace, which has just appeared in print . Her third book,  Poetic Justice: Translating Art and Ideology is a work in progress. Recent articles include: “Talking Trash: Creating Home and Anti-Home in Austin’s Salsa Culture”, “A Colonial Relation not my Own: Coming Home to Morocco and France,” and “Nostalgia in Contemporary Moroccan Poetry.”

The Maghreb Center is an independent, Washington DC based non-profit created to increase understanding of the Maghreb in the United States. In accomplishing its educational mission, the Center organizes Maghreb-related conferences, seminars, lectures, and roundtables and offers a series of publicly available publications. The Center sponsors numerous programs open to the public featuring U.S. and regional experts, development practitioners, foreign policy specialists, and representatives of Maghrebi governments, and civil society. This lecture series is made possible with the generous support of the Moroccan-American Cultural Center.

    Book Launch "Youth and the UN MDGs: Empowering Youth into Positive Action:  A Case Study of Morocco". Flyer PDF DOC The World Bank InfoShop organizes public seminars, roundtables, book launches, conferences, lectures, and other activities. Wednesday November 28, 2007, 6:00-8:30pm Venue: H Building Eugene R. Black Auditorium Located on 191 G Street (the H Building is located at 600 19th Street)  Washington, DC  The event features  a distinguished panel of speakers including the World Bank MENA Vice President, HE Ambassador Mekouar, World Bank Sector Director for Human Development,  USAID Morocco Repesentative, UNDP USA Executive Director, Peace Corps Morocco, as well as youth leaders from the region.

The event will also feature an art exhibition by a young Moroccan woman artist from  a remote village in southern Morocco (who uses her artwork to support youth in her community) in order to showcase the work that young Moroccan women make valuable and positive contributions to society.

    The 2007 Mosaic Foundation Bazaar:    A Cultural Experience will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown on November 25, 2007, all day from 10am- 5pm.  Tickets are available at the door for $5.00.

Silent Auction and Raffle! Don't miss out on great silent auction and raffle items like a two night stay for two at the Ritz-Carlton in Central Park, NY!  Or a $1000 Gift Certificate at Ralph Lauren, or a Prada bag from Neiman Marcus, a Bvlgari bag, a Louis Vuitton bag, and more.  From items such as an original lithograph by Emile Prisse D'Avenne, donated by Petra Art, and a stay at The Willard Hotel, to gift certificates from Cultura and Toka Salon, and local restaurants such as Cafe Milano, Lebanese Taverna, and Neyla, tthere are gifts sure to please guests from all walks of the Washington community.

Live Music, Calligrapher, and Henna Artist! From 10:00am to 1:00pm we will have world famous calligrapher Sami Zain al-Ghawi from Oman joining us not only to sell his work, but also to provide calligraphy for the patrons of the bazaar.  Get your name written in Arab calligraphy!  Also from 1:00pm to 3:00pm we will have Live Traditional Arab Music, by the talented Shawkat Ziad playing the oud for our patrons.  And also don't forget to visit Shawn Sisson our local Henna Artist, for an intricate Arab design to impress your friends.

The annual Mosaic Foundation Bazaar is one of the organization’s most popular cultural events. Each year, Mosaic recreates a traditional Arab Bazaar, with its many different tables full of food and clothing and even Henna artists.  This year’s Bazaar will include jewelry, clothing, ornaments, textiles, and many more wares from the Middle East.  Patrons will be able to explore the aisles of goods while enjoying the music, food, and atmosphere of the Arab World.

Through the Bazaar, we appeal to a diverse cross-section of the Washington community and introduce them to the Mosaic Foundation and our causes, while entertaining them on Sunday afternoon as they search for holiday gifts. This annual tradition, coming during the first week of the holiday shopping season, has become a popular destination for many Washingtonians.  While the financial benefits are minimal, the exposure to the community and interaction with our Washington population is invaluable.

    FREE concert Tuesday, November 13, 2007: World Music from Palestine and Morocco 6:00 pm at the Millennium Stage of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566 Moroccan composer-guitarist joins Palestinian musicians for cross-cultural grooves. Moroccan composer and guitarist Tarik Hilal joins Palestinian musicians Joseph Duqmaq, saxophone; oud player and vocalist Basel Zayed; oud player, pianist, and vocalist Wissam Murad; and darbouka player John-Robert Handal for cross-cultural grooves.

For more information, call (202) 467-4600.    For more information on-
Parking- www.kennedy-center.org/parking       Sorry, no free parking for free performances.
Restaurants- www.kennedy-center.org/restaurants
Directions- www.kennedy-center.org/visitor/directions.html
Take Metro to the Foggy Bottom/GWU station (Orange/Blue) then ride the free red shuttle at the top of the escalators, departing every 15 minutes to and from the Kennedy Center until midnight

    Silver Jewelry from North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt) will be the topic for an illustrated lecture by Daniel Nadler on November 7, 2007 at the Rome Building Room 812, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 6:30 - 7:00 Reception/registration 7:00 - 8:00 Lecture and discussion 8:00 - 8:30 Networking. Part of The Tangier American Legation Museum Society (TALMS) 2006-2007 Seminar Series In cooperation with Friends of Morocco. Bring your antique silver jewelry for evaluation before and after the presentation.

A fascination with silver lured Daniel and Serga Nadler onto a global quest spanning thirty years and many countries. Their search for authentic tribal and ethnic jewelry began in Egypt and has grown to a substantial worldwide collection. Together they authored their much acclaimed, lavishly illustrated book : Silver : From Fetish to Fashion.

Portions of their collection have been exhibited at the Johnson Museum, Ithaca, NY; the Carnegie-Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh, PA; the Mingei Museum, San Diego, CA; the Bead Museum, Glendale, AZ as well as the Bead Museum, Washington, DC. Fortunoff featured their collection in six of their department stores in the New York area. Mr. Nadler has been invited to talk at these exhibits, as well as the Museum of Arts & Design, New York; the San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, TX, and several venues in Ottawa, Canada. Information on the Nadlers, their books, and photographs, is available on their website : www.danielnadler.com.

In addition, on November 8th at 7:30 PM, the Bead Society of Greater Washington will host the illustrated talk, Silver Jewelry from North Africa  (Egypt, Tunisia & Morocco) at the Chevy Chase Community Center, 5601 Connecticut Ave.

    Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco cordially invite you to a conference Morocco: Recent Trends and Future Prospects

The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies ICC Auditorium
241 Intercultural Center Georgetown University 37th & O Streets, NW Washington, DC 20057-1020
Tel:  (202) 687-5793     Fax: (202) 687-7001 Email: ccasinfo@georgetown.edu

The first day of the conference will consist of scholarly panels on three subjects relevant to Morocco, while the second day will consist of exhibitions on Moroccan business, investment and tourism.

November 8
9:00am-9:30am Registration
9:30am-10:00am Welcome
10:00am-11:30am Morocco in History
Dr. Rahma Bourqia, President, Hassan II University
Dr. Mohammed Kenbib, Université Mohamed V
Dr. Susan Gilson-Miller, Harvard University

11:45am-1:15pm Political Culture in Morocco
Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Director of Islamic Affairs, the Kingdom of Morocco
Dr. Abdelhay Moudden, Professor of Political Science, Université Mohamed V
Dr. Mohamed Mrabet, Professor of Law, Université Mohamed V

2:15pm-3:45pm Moroccan Literature and Fiction
Dr. Mokhtar Ghambou, Assistant Professor of English, Yale University
Dr. Abdelfettah Kilito, Université Mohamed V
Ms. Laila Lalami, author of Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits

To RSVP to attend the first day of the conference

November 9
Exhibitions on Moroccan business, investment and tourism.
9:30am-10am Registration
10:00:am-12:00pm
Dr. Saad Laraqui, Professor and Director, Doctor of Management Program, University of Maryland University College
Ms. Catherine Novelli, Vice President, Worldwide Government Affairs, Apple
Mr. Hassan Bernoussi, Director of Finance, Ministry of Investment, the Kingdom of Morocco

To RSVP to attend the second day of the conference

      Enjoy a Sunday afternoon of great food and dance at the La Kasbah Hafla Sunday, November 4 th 2007 Doors open at 1 p.m. – Show starts at 2 p.m.  La Kasbah Restaurant 11424 Washington Plaza West Reston, VA 20191 (On Lake Anne Plaza)

A show including many types of dances from the Middle East will be featured including Moroccan, Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish and Indian styles. The professional house dancers of La Kasbah will delight you with cabaret, folkloric, modern fusion, candle dances, Arabic/Spanish fusion dances and more! ALL For $35.00 in advance, which include Moroccan multi meal, dessert & mint tea *No RefundS* $40.00/door (space allowing). For reservations please call (703) 707-0733 or visit La Kasbah.

      The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs and The Program for Jewish Civilization and Unity Productions Foundation Present “Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain” A Film Screening and Discussion with Executive Producer Alex Kronemer Monday, 22 October 2007 (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ) Southwest Quad - McShain Large Room Georgetown University

Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain takes viewers on an epic journey back into one of the most fascinating and important periods of world history.  It tells a story of vital importance for our contemporary world about the triumphs and shortcomings, achievements and ultimate failures of a centuries-long period when Muslims, Christians and Jews inhabited the same far corner of Western Europe and built a society that lit the Dark Ages.  

Following the screening, Executive Producer Alex Kronemer and ACMCU Director Dr. John L. Esposito will lead a discussion on the film and on the role and legacy of Islamic Spain in interfaith dialogue in our contemporary world.

Dinner will be served. For More Information, and to RSVP for the Event, please visit CMCu.Georgetown.edu.

      Arabian Sights: Contemporary Arab Cinema   October 26 - November 4, 2007

The twelfth Annual Arabian Sights Film Festival offers a diverse selection of the newest, most provocative, and inspiring films from today's Arab world. These films show the range and commitment of directors, several of whom will be present at their screenings, who invariably manage to tell moving stories while exploring issues facing their region. All films will be screened with English subtitles. The Festival includes two films of potential interest to Friends of Morocco.

Kicks
ALBERT TER HEERDT
The Netherlands, 2007, 112 minutes, Color, digital betacam

A follow-up to Albert ter Heerdt's hit comedy Shouf Shouf Habibi! (Arabian Sights, 2005), Kicks offers a slightly more serious vista of a country adjusting to a growing multicultural society. Simmering racial tensions fester and pop in circumstances both critical and comical in modern day Holland. Moroccan-Dutch policewoman trainee Aaliyah frets over her reaction to witnessing her racist, native Dutch partner Frank shooting a Moroccan boy in supposed self-defense. The older brother of the victim, Said, a popular kick-boxer, takes much flack from young Moroccans for his blond girlfriend. The friends and family of these individuals compose the vast and diverse cast, including a capricious, upper-crust woman who longs to meet a genuine immigrant, her arrogant boyfriend an exploitative filmmaker, a Moroccan-Dutch soldier struggling with his conservative views of women and a pair of French-speaking ladies of the night.

Zaina: Rider of the Atlas
BOURLEM GUERDJOU
France, 2005, 100 minutes, Color, 35mm

Following the mysterious death of her mother Selma, 11-year-old Zaina reluctantly falls into the custody of her nomadic, horse-raising father Mustapha, who she has never met given that he abandoned Selma. Once in her father's care, however, Zaina can get away from the sinister Omar, who unrequitedly loved Zaina's mother and now desires guardianship of the child. Together Zaina, Mustapha and his band of drifters trek across Morroco's spectacular Atlas Mountains en route to the renowned horse-races in Marrakech. Omar is hot on their trail. The mountain journey is punctuated with adventurous fights and slow but sure father-daughter bonding. From the director of award-winning Vivre au paradis (Arabian Sights, 2000).

      The Moroccan elections, the emerging political scene and the new government
Monday October 15 at the Bernstein Building Room 500 (5th floor), Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

4:15 - 4:30 Reception/registration       4:30 - 5:45 Lecture and discussion       5:45 - 6:00 Networking.

Morocco's legislative elections held on Friday, September 7 were a watershed in Morocco's march toward democracy. Six political parties (Istiqlal, the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), the Popular Movement, the National Rally of Independents, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces and the Constitutional Union won more than 20 seats in the parliamentary elections. Thirty-four women were elected to Morocco's Parliament.

Moderator, Dr William Zartman, SAIS Conflict Management Program Director with:
Leslie Campbell, Senior Associate and Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa Programs, National Democratic Institute
Marina Ottaway, Director of the Middle East Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Tamara Cofman Wittes, Senior Fellow, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institution
Owen Kirby, Political Program Manager of the Office of the Middle EastPartnership Initiative (MEPI) in the Bureau of Near East Affairs at the State Department

The presentations would be followed by a 30-minute long Q&A session and discussion.

Part of the Tangier American Legation Museum Society (TALMS) 2007-2008 Seminar Series in cooperation with SAIS Africa Student Association and Friends of Morocco.

      The Millennium Challenge Corporation, The Moroccan American Trade and Investment Center, and The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend the Morocco Compact - Business and Procurement Seminar Featuring:
H.E. Aziz Mekouar, Ambassador of The Kingdom of Morocco and
Ambassador John J. Danilovich, Chief Executive Officer, Millennium Challenge Corporation

The seminar will feature a briefing on the recently signed Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact with Morocco. The program will include a discussion on procurement opportunities and the full range of trade and investment opportunities in Morocco. The $697.5 million Compact program plans to stimulate economic growth by increasing productivity and improving employment in high potential sectors such as fruit production, small-scale fisheries, and artisan crafts. Small business creation and growth will be supported also by investments in financial services and enterprise support.

Date: Thursday, October 11, 2007 Time: 9:00 11:30 a.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.)
Location: Millennium Challenge Corporation 875 15th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005. Seating is limited. Please RSVP by Tuesday October 9, 2007 to MCC Events at MCCevents@mcc.gov with your name, organization, and the event title

      Iftar (Breaking-Fast) Sunday, October 7 at 6:45 p.m. (Sunset is 7:05 p.m.)
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, DC(RPCVw) and Friends of Morocco invite you to join us for: Iftar (breaking the Ramadan fast)

at the Casablanca Restaurant, 1504 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (2 blocks from King Street metro station)
$25 for members of Friends of Morocco and/or RPCVw. $30 for non-members

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. In 2007, Ramadan began on September 13 and continues through October 12. For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 8 million in North America. Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity.

Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve. During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as Iftar.  Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.

We will have a speaker to speak about Islam, Ramadan, Iftar, and the food and culture surrounding Ramadan. The evening will begin with dates and the Moroccan signature soup, Harira, immediately followed by the presentation on Ramadan and then with a Moroccan feast of tagine (a meat and vegetable stew) and couscous with vegetables.  We will close with sweets, fruit and Moroccan mint tea. 

Not required, but consider fasting that day to better understand the experience. Fasting serves many purposes: While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Reservations MUST be made to Tim Resch 703 660 9292 or Lesley Pories (301) 980-2781 by Friday, October 5.  Space is limited, and a similar event last year sold out.

      Now to September 30, 2007 at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University 11 Divinity Ave. Cambridge, MA Imazighen! Beauty and Artisanship in Berber Life features an extensive collection of cultural artifacts made by the Berber peoples of North Africa in the early to mid-twentieth century. Elegant etched and cloisonné jewelry, punched and embroidered leatherwork, inlaid metal and wood saddles, and glazed pottery highlight a sophisticated artisan culture that has received little attention even within the context of Islamic world arts.

Never displayed before, the objects chosen for the exhibition express the aesthetic vision of rural craftspeople working within a distinctive design tradition, significant both for their local influence as well as for their role within the greater mosaic of Islamic world arts. Some objects show the commonalities among regions through their use of shared geometric motifs and symbols; others retain a distinctly local flavor. Yet all of the items bear the imprint of the diverse cultural traditions-Berber, Arab, Islamic, Mediterranean and African-that have shaped North African artisanship over the centuries.

Artistic production among the Berbers traditionally focused on making objects for everyday use. Women made pottery and basketry and wove carpets, blankets, and clothing and added embroidered decoration to leather goods; men produced metal locks and keys, jewelry, sandals, saddles, and other leather items. Although these objects were destined for daily use, the artisans put great effort into making them beautiful as well as practical. Although artistic production continues to thrive within Berber communities, and many items continue to be made; many others have been replaced by mass-produced, and imported goods.

Imazighen! focuses on these artifacts and the stories they tell about the daily life and culture of the Berber people in the recent past, with special attention to the craftspeople who made the objects and to the ethnographers who collected them. 

      High Atlas Foundation Third Annual Reception Honoring Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Peace Corps Morocco Country Director Thursday, September 27^th 6pm to 8pm in NYC.  High Atlas Foundation's third annual NYC reception will honor Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Peace Corps Morocco Country Director. Proceeds from the evening will support community development projects in Morocco.

The High Atlas Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to establish development projects in rural communities of Morocco that local people design and manage and that are in partnership with government and non-government agencies. HAF was founded in 2000 by former Peace Corps Volunteers as a way to use their experience and knowledge gained for the continued benefit of the Moroccan people.

      International Ethical Fashion Show at DC Fashion Week
Thursday, September 27th, 2007 Reception begins at 6:00 p.m. and Fashion Shows at 7:30 p.m. The Galleria at Lafayette Center 1120 20th St, NW Washington, D.C. For ticket information, call 1.866.920.9528 or contact info@avaniribbon.com Proceeds will support The Valuable Girl Project

You are invited to enjoy an evening of fashion, shopping, music, and mingling at D.C. FashionWeek’s International Ethical Show on Thursday, September 27th, 2007!  This international event is dedicated to promoting development through eco-boutique trunk shows and exciting runway shows featuring four fashion designers, including  SAMIRA ATASH.    Local and national press will attend to cover this once-a-year fashion event in the nation's capital at the beautiful Galleria at Lafayette Center.  Artizan Sarai's unique home décor, accessories, and jewelry from Afghanistan, India, Turkey and Morocco will also be featured.

      Orchestra of Tangier to Present Rare Performances of Morocco's Classical Music: Guest vocalist Abderrahim Souiri will Join Traditional Eight-Piece Ensemble in Program of Andalusian Suites;

In September of 2007, a handful of U.S. cities will host rare performances by Morocco's ORCHESTRA OF TANGIER. Performing mystical music from the country's centuries-old Andalusian tradition, the orchestra will perform a series of concerts beginning on Sept 8th in Los Angeles at UCLA's Schoenberg Hall and including Boston's Benjamin Franklin Institute and the Chicago World Music Festival. The tour also includes two appearances in New York City - a full headlining program at CUNY's Proshansky Auditorium and a shorter program for the SummerStage World Music Festival.

Saturday Sept 8 Los Angeles, CA UCLA Schoenberg Hall
Thursday Sept 13 Boston, MA Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Friday Sept 14 New York, NY CUNY Graduate Ctr./Proshansky Aud.
Sunday Sept 16 New York, NY Summerstage New York World Festival w/ Hassan Hakmoun and others
Monday Sept 17 Chicago, IL Chicago World Music Festival/Cultural Ctr

Al-Ala, the thousand-year-old Andalusian repertoire that Orchestra of Tangier preserves, is typically performed in exclusive engagements in Morocco. Intensely mystical and poetic, it is performed as festive entertainment, but may also induce a contemplative state between musicians and audience.

Orchestra of Tangier is directed by Ahmed Zaitouni, the 76-year old founder of the Conservatory of Tangier and widely considered the last of the living legends of Moroccan Andalusian music. He has devoted a lifetime to preserving and performing the Nubas, or instrumental and vocal suites that trace their history to refugees from the Reconquista in Spain. Of the original 24 suites in the tradition, only 11 have survived. Unlike Algeria and Tunisia, Morocco did not fall under Ottoman rule, and as a result Morocco's Andalusian music is generally considered closer to its source, i.e., less influenced by Middle Eastern musical styles.

While the Orchestra of Tangier in its modern form has expanded to include sixteen members, for the U.S. dates it will perform in the smaller, more traditional Andalusian configuration of eight musicians. The orchestra features master musicians performing on the rebab, oud, violin, viola, tar, and darbouka. They will be joined by special guest vocalist Abderrahim Souri, one of the most sought-after Andalusian vocalists in Morocco.

The ensemble and its individual members have received international recognition for their recordings of traditional Andalusian music, touring extensively in Europe and the Arab world as well as recording over a dozen CD's of the musical and poetic traditions.

The city of Tangier is now in the midst of an explosive rebirth, with monumental new construction projects underway that include the world-class Tangier-Mediterranean port, huge industrial parks, and a 45,000-seat sports stadium. Its population has quadrupled in the last two decades and the city now boasts more than a million inhabitants. Yet none of these developments threaten Orchestra of Tangier's future. Each year, more students seek out the Conservatory, committed to carrying on the Orchestra's mission and the Andalusian traditions that remain the spiritual soul of Tangier.

Cindy Byram PR 49 West 27th Street # 930 New York, NY 10001
212.545.7536 x 21 office 201.400.4104 cellular cindybyram@aol.com www.cindybyram.com

      TAKE PEACE CORPS OUT TO THE BALL GAME!

Join us for “Peace Corps Night” at RFK Stadium  Monday, September 17, 2007 for New York Mets at Washington Nationals for only $8.  The game starts at 7:05 p.m., but you will want to arrive a little early to watch a special pre-game ceremony featuring Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. The Peace Corps will be celebrated throughout the evening. Please use the link below to purchase tickets. All tickets purchased through this link are for seats in an area of the stadium reserved for the Peace Corps.  Friends and family are welcome!  Click here to purchase your ‘Peace Corps Night’ tickets.      All tickets purchased through this link will be in the section reserved for the Peace Corps.  **If you are an RPCV or PC staff and would like to carry a flag on the field during the  “Peace Corps Parade of Nations,” please email mailto:mpcbaseball2007@peacecorps.gov  **

      Haj Youness Mon. August 28, 2006 6:00 pm at the Millennium Stage of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.  FREE concert

An ensemble of musicians separated by oceans and thousands of miles will perform together later this month for the first time, having composed music layer-by-layer with sound files exchanged over the Internet.

Their goal: Show how the arts can bridge diverse cultures -- even among people who have never met in person before coming together on stage.   A singer and instrumentalist from Afghanistan, a guitarist from Iran, a bass player from Ethiopia and drummers from Morocco are all part of the ensemble. They will accompany American Jewish tenor Alberto Mizrahi, Moroccan singer Haj Youness, a Muslim who is dean of the Casablanca Conservatory of Music, and renowned American keyboard and harmonica legend Howard Levy. Haj Youness plays a Moroccan instrument called a oud on in Casablanca, Morocco. Moroccan lute artist Haj Youness, recipient of the Golden Lute Medal and director of the Greater Casablanca Music Conservatory, illustrates the Arabic, Judaic, and sub-Saharan roots of Moroccan music.  This month's performance will feature music and instruments unique to the different cultures involved.

Performances are scheduled for Aug. 25 and Aug. 26 in Chicago's Lincoln Park, Aug. 27 at the Kennedy Center in Washington and this fall in Casablanca.   Read More Details at the Moroccan American Community board

   Concerts to Bridge Cultures with International Music in Washington, D.C., Chicago, IL and Casablanca, Morocco
Bridging cultures through the arts is at the heart of concerts coming to Washington, D.C., and Casablanca, Morocco. From the finale of the upcoming HAMSA-Fest in Chicago on August 25 and 26, 2007, an eclectic group of international musicians will travel to perform concerts on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage on Monday, August 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and in Casablanca, Morocco's Place des Nations Unis (United Nations Plaza), on Saturday, September 1.

Headlining the concert, Greek-born American Jewish tenor Cantor Alberto Mizrahi, of Chicago, will perform with Moroccan oud virtuoso Haj Youness, who is Moslem. Hay Youness is Dean of the Casablanca Conservatory of Music. They will be accompanied by a special guest artist, world renowned keyboard and diatonic harmonica legend Howard Levy (American), also of Chicago. In its world premiere, the Genesis at the Crossroads World Music Ensemble will include Persian guitarist Shahin Shahida and Ethiopian bass player Moneeb Jewad, both of Washington, D.C., Persian multi-instrumentalist Farshid Soltanshahi of St. Louis, and D.C.-based musicians Afghan vocalist and instrumentalist Humayun Khan, Moroccan Kader Rhanime on saxophone, Moroccan Mohcine Saqi and Moroccan Anis Rhanime on percussion, and Moroccan Hicham El Anmari on keyboard.

The Kennedy Center performance is free. In addition, it will be broadcast via live audio-video webstreaming, at http://www.gatc.org. The September 1st concert in Morocco will be syndicated for broadcast on more than 200 radio stations in the U.S. and 48 European stations as well as on XM satellite radio, with the potential to reach more than 20 million listeners worldwide. Sponsors of the Washington, D.C., concert include Sofitel Lafayette Square, Nuveen Investments, Royal Air Maroc, and 98.7 WFMT and the WFMT Radio Network. The Morocco concert is sponsored by Royal Air Maroc and 98.7 WFMT and the WFMT Radio Network.

The third bi-annual outdoor festival, HAMSA-Fest, will take place at Chicago's Lincoln Park, offering a wide variety of art, music, and food from different cultures. This is the first year that part of the HAMSA-Fest concert line-up will tour outside the U.S. "We are breaking traditional barriers by bringing together artists who would likely never perform on the same stage otherwise and whose music draws audiences across cultural lines," said Dr. Wendy Sternberg, Founder and Executive Director of Genesis at the Crossroads (GATC), a non-profit organization bridging cultural conflicts through the arts. "I am most interested in promoting the creation of new works of art as a product of these collaborations, providing an innovative and inspirational model for others to follow."

Additionally, Casablanca has been chosen as a project site of a new GATC initiative called ARTSLINK. The goal of ARTSLINK is to revitalize conservatories of music around the world that are in disrepair, structurally and infrastructurally, to empower local leadership to provide sustainable arts curricula and performances, creating unprecedented cross-cultural arts exchanges. Through ARTSLINK Casablanca, Morocco's Casablanca Conservatory of Music will receive a transformational renovation by internationally-reputed sound engineers, architects, designers and developers, using green technology. An international jury will select the winning design. The new facility will allow master classes to be offered in music, dance and theater. It will feature a 300 seat indoor concert hall, a recording studio, and a small museum of Andalucian musical history. Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2009, marking GATC's 10th anniversary.
Contact: Ellen Beard, +1-434-245-8300, beardmedia@earthlink.net, for Genesis at the Crossroads

    What a Wonderful World
AMERICAN PREMIERE - CAPITAL FOCUS AWARD
AOUZI BENSAIDI France, Morocco, Germany, 2006, 98 minutes, Color
ThursdayApril 269:00 PM and FridayApril 279:15 PM  Wisconsin Ave Cinemas
In French and Arabic with English subtitles

From the eye-catching Saul Bass-style opening credits to the Bonnie and Clyde ending, What a Wonderful World is a visually inventive tour-de-force for writer-director-actor Faouzi Bensaidi. Kind of a cross between Jacques Tati and Quentin Tarantino, Bensaidi has set an episodic story of four Casablanca denizens at the intersection of Playtime's architectural mischievousness and Pulp Fiction's inventive genre-mashing. Kamel (Bensaidi) is a stone-faced hitman who takes his assignments from hieroglyphics scattered around town. Kenza (Nezha Rahil, from the director's previous film A Thousand Months) is a traffic cop so morose she has a private thunderstorm hovering around her. Her pal Souad (Fatima Attif) is a hooker who runs her business via Kenza's mobile phone. Finally, there's 20-year-old Hicham (El Mehdi Elaaroubi), who runs elaborate emigration ruses. Their paths eventually cross in inventive ways, and Bensaidi's Casablanca is a widescreen wonderland of droll coincidence. - Eddie Cockrell
Print Source: Les Films du Losange 22, av. Pierre 1er de Serbie 72116 Paris France T: 33 1 44 43 87 10 www.filmsdulosange.fr 

    Sound of the Soul The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music
STEPHEN OLSSON USA, 2005, 78 minutes, Color In Person: Director Stephen Olsson
Tuesday April 24 8:45 PM and Thursday April 26 8:45 PM Wisconsin Ave Cinemas

Sound of the Soul is a stirring work of musical faith. Each spring, thousands of musicians and music fans descend on the North African city of Fez, Morocco to express their joy of worship through music. Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sufi: all are welcome in the ancient, walled town of Fez. Filmmaker Stephen Olsson (Last Images of War) brought his widescreen digital cameras to the 10th anniversary of the festival, and the results are galvanizing. From the delicate Irish vocal group Anuna to the big sound of New York City's Sons of Thunder, the music on display from numerous acts encompasses reflective spirituality, unbridled celebration, and the positive spirit of devotional expression. "It is true that the mystics of the world, whatever their religion, most often get along just fine," Olsson told an interviewer at the Vancouver Film Festival. "They also have the most fun." - Eddie Cockrell  
Official website
Print Source: Fortissimo Films Veemarkt 77-79 1019 DA Amsterdam The Netherlands T: 31 20 627 32 15 F: 31 20 626 11 55 info@fortissimo.nl

   Visit of the Moroccan Consulate to Chicago. Saturday April 28, 2007 from 09:00am to 09:00pm. at 1602 West, Grandville Avenue, Chicago 60660.  Contact phone: 847-594-5812 (Just for this event in case you need more information or directions).  The Mobile Consulate will be providing the following services:
- CIN (carte d'identite nationale)
- Passports (renewal / extension)
- Powers of Attorney/ Lodging Certificates/ Life Certificates
- Consular Card
- Child registration:
- Marriage Recognition and/or application for family book:
Note:    Fees for all consular operations are available on www.moroccanconsulate.com and only payment by cash or money order is accepted.  A consular Card is needed for all services and you can apply for it at the same time.

    Current Intellectual and Cultural Trends in the Countries of the Maghreb (in Arabic) WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 (8:00 p.m.) Conversation with thinker and political activist from Algeria, Dr. Anwar Haddam, and journalist and former diplomat from Morocco, Mr. Mohammad Said Al-Ouafi at AL-HEWAR CENTER 124 Park St SE Vienna, VA 22180.  USA Telephone: (703) 281-6277 Fax: (703) 437-6419 All events held at Al-Hewar Center are FREE FOR CENTER SUBSCRIBERS; $5 for non-Subscribers.

   The Tunisian Embassy in Washington, DC, is sponsoring an April 5 (Friday) lecture by Professor Houda Zaibi-Belhassan on "Tunisian Women's Emancipatory Journey: A Long Tradition of Continuous Reforms" at 6:30 pm at Meridien House, 1630 Crescent Place, NW in Washington. If interested in attending, please call Marleine Mervil at 202-680-6030.

   Corsairs, Diplomacy and Confusion:  The Origins of US-Moroccan Relations in the Era of the American Revolution. Thursday, February 22, 2007 Rome Building Auditorium, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 6:30 - 7:00 Reception/registration 7:00 - 8:00 Lecture and discussion 8:00 - 8:30 Networking Part of The Tangier American Legation Museum Society (TALMS) 2006-2007 Seminar Series In cooperation with Friends of Morocco and Association of Moroccan Professionals in America

In 1777, Morocco became the first country to recognize the independence of the infant United States of America.  Long the subject of speculation and conjecture, the origins of this move by Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah can now be revealed as the result of research in the archives of Europe.  The story is a fascinating one of the world of naval passports, corsairs and diplomatic intrigue in the late 18th century.

Jerry Bookin-Weiner, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, is a specialist in early modern Moroccan history and Moroccan American relations.  He currently serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs of The Scholar Ship and is a TALMS Fellow and member of the Friends of Morocco Board.  He conducted research on the origins of US-Moroccan relations in American, British, French and Dutch archives to discover how and why Morocco became the first foreign power to recognize American independence, even before the signing of the landmark US- French alliance in 1778. See http://www.usembassy.ma/usmorrelations/historicalbgrnd.htm for background

   Maghreb Center Inaugural Symposium Georgetown University Thursday, February 8, 2007, 9AM to 5:15PM Marriot Georgetown Conference Center, Leavey Center, Salon H Open to the public. Please RSVP by sending an email to: administration@maghrebcenter.org

The symposium will review the current political and economic state of affairs of the five countries of the Maghreb, in light of these countries' respective histories and achievements. Panelists will provide tools for a better understanding of these developments, and possibly some suggestions to meet the current challenges.

Fifty years ago this year, in 1956, Morocco and Tunisia, two former French protectorates, gained their independence. Mauritania proclaimed its own independence from France in 1960, and Algeria remained under colonial yoke until 1962. Libya declared its sovereignty from Italy earlier in 1951.

Since then, in spite of numerous difficulties and setbacks, the five countries of the Maghreb, each one according to its own trajectory, shaped by its socio-historic specificities, have achieved substantial progress in modernizing their societies, structuring them as nation states, while struggling to achieve socio-economic development, and more recently to insert their respective economies into the global economy.

Today Maghrebi societies have evolved and grown more complex. The five countries face, in varying degrees, similar challenges in pursuing the liberalization of their economies by fostering the private sector and undertaking the privatization of state owned enterprises, while providing adequate social safety nets and tackling the critical issue of unemployment, mainly among the youth. In addition, on the political front, the Maghrebi states have been reforming their civil service and decentralizing decisionmaking authority; adjusting the governance system to new realities; and rethinking politics to give a voice to a more educated populace and a growing middle class, while dealing with political dissent inspired by a literalist understanding of Islam that has swept all over the Muslim world.

The symposium will include four panels:  

1. Trends in Political Reform, and New Developments in Political Islam in the Maghreb
2. The Security Environment in the Maghreb
3. Economic Development Issues
4. International Relations: The EU and US relations with the Maghreb / Maghrebi Regional Integration

Detailed program

9:00-9:10 AM	Nejib Ayachi, (President, The Maghreb Center) Introduction
9:10-9:30 AM	Keynote Address, Leon Carl Brown, (Honorary Chair, Maghreb Center Inaugural Symposium, and Professor Emeritus, Princeton University) "The Contemporary Maghreb in Historical Perspective"
9:30-11:00 AM	Panel 1: "Political Reform and Political Islam," (20 minutes each, and 30 minutes Q & A)
	William Zartman, (Johns Hopkins University, SAIS) Moderator/ Democratization in the Maghreb Clement Henry, (University of Texas at Austin) "Postcolonial Dialectics of Political Islam" Ali Ahmida, (University of New England) "After Lockerbie: The Debate about Reform in Libya" Lindsay Benstead, (Ph.D. Candidate, University of Michigan) "The Perceptions of Parliament and Confidence in Democracy in Morocco and Algeria."
11:00-11:15 AM	Break
11:15-12:45 AM	Panel 2: "The Security Environment in the Maghreb," (15 minute presentations, and 30 minutes Q & A)
	John Entelis, (Fordham University) Moderator/ Overview of "Security & Terrorism" in Morocco, Algeria & Tunisia Peter R Faber, (National Defense University) "The Maghreb and NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue: Security Implications and Dilemmas" Jacques E. Roussellier, (Middle East Institute) "Western Sahara: Disputed Sovereignty or Regional Conflict?" Nouredine Jebnoun, (Georgetown University) "The Radicalization of the Salafist Movements in Algeria."
12:45-1:45 PM	Break
1:45-3:15 PM	Panel 3: "Economic Development," (15 minutes each, and 30 minutes Q & A)
	Theodore Ahlers, (World Bank) Moderator Melani Cammett, (Brown University) "Trade Liberalization, the Relationship between Business Groups, The State, and Industrial Development Strategies in Morocco and Tunisia" Heba F. El-Shazli, (Solidarity Center-AFL-CIO) "The Social and Labor Impact of Globalization in the Maghreb" Lakhdar Boukerrou, (Florida Atlantic University) "Poverty, Environmental Governance, and the Economic Future of the Maghreb" Loubna H. Skalli, (The American University) "Gender Dimensions of Development in the Maghreb"
3:15-3:30 PM	Break
3:30-5:00 PM	Panel 4: "International Relations and Regional Integration," (20 minutes each, and 30 minutes Q & A)
	Gregory White, (Smith College) Moderator Yahia Zoubir, (Euromed Marseille Ecole de Management) "EU and US interests in the Maghreb" Ferhi Salah, (University of Quebec, Montreal) "Historical and Contemporary Sub-Saharan Migration into the Maghreb" Stuart Eizenstat, (Former Deputy Treasury Secretary, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, and Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, and Author of the Eisenstadt Inititative on US-North Africa Economic Partnership) "The Maghreb Center, Regional Integration, and U.S.-North Africa Economic Partnership" (taped).
5:00-5:15 PM	Closing Remarks

      High Atlas Foundation (HAF)  will be hosting a Happy Hours Friday, February 9th 5:30pm - 7:30pm at the Marrakesh Palace 2147 P Street, NW. Washington DC in the Dupont Circle area.  Come to meet HAF Board Members and other people who are interested in making a difference for Morocco. We look forward to sharing with you more about our community development work and new initiative to plant one million fruit tree saplings in community nurseries throughout Morocco.  Please join us!!!

      Morocco at the Crossroads: Achievements and Challenges Tuesday, December 19, 2006 12:30pm - 2:30pm World Bank J Building- J1-050, 701 18th St. NW (corner of 18th St. and Pennsylvania Ave) Please RSVP to dbennani@worldbank.org Event is followed by a light lunch reception in the InfoShop

InfoShop, The Maghreb Department, Middle East and North Africa In collaboration with the Maghreb Center invite you to a special presentation Morocco at the Crossroads: Achievements and Challenges Since the accession of King Mohamed VI to the throne in 1999, Morocco has engaged in  a social, economic and political reform process thats scope and intensity are considered unparalleled in the Middle East and North Africa, by a majority of specialists in the region. Major progress has been achieved on all these fronts, but a great deal remains to be done. Some of the major challenges faced by Morocco on the path of sustained reform and progress are: Adapting the governance system for genuine ownership and accountability; inducing sustained economic growth while narrowing disparities between segments of the population; reducing poverty and continuing to improve social indicators; and dealing with the issue of unemployment, mainly among the youth. The purpose of the conference is to offer analyses of some of these issues, and recommendations on how to tackle them.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Chaired by Nejib Ayachi

Co-founder and President of the Maghreb Center Nejib Ayachi, the co-founder and President of the Maghreb Center, is a Development Consultant with several years of work experience in the areas of training for development, knowledge management, and social development. Mr. Ayachi's regional experience is with North and Sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. Ayachi has taught in the department of political science/international relations of the George Washington University in Washington DC, and at the State Department?s Foreign Service Institute where he lectured on Maghrebi issues.

Presented by Marina Ottaway: Director of the Middle East program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Marina S. Ottaway specializes in democracy and post-conflict reconstruction issues, with special focus on problems of political transformation in the Middle East and reconstruction in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, and African countries. She is a senior associate in the Democracy and Rule of Law Project, a research endeavor that analyzes the state of democracy around the world and the efforts by the United States and other countries to promote democracy. Her most recent book, Uncharted Journey: Democracy Promotion in the Middle East (co-edited with Thomas Carothers), was published in January 2005. Before joining the Endowment, Ottaway carried out research in Africa and in the Middle East for many years and taught at the University of Addis Ababa, the University of Zambia, the American University in Cairo, and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Ms Ottaway will address the governance and institutional aspects of reform in her presentation titled "Governance in Morocco."

Theodore Ahlers: Director of the Maghreb Department at the World Bank Mr. Ahlers was appointed Director of the Maghreb Department (Algeria, Libya, Malta, Morocco and Tunisia) in the Middle East and North Africa (MNA) Region in October 2002. A U.S. national, Mr. Ahlers joined the Bank in 1985 as an economist in the West African Country Programs Department. Since then, he has held several positions in the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, and Europe and Central Asia Regions, both in country programs and technical divisions, including as Country Director for Benin, Niger and Togo (1996-2000) and Director in the Office of the Vice President, Africa Region (2000-2002). Mr. Ahlers attended Tufts University, Fletcher School, and holds a Ph.D in development economics. His pre-Bank experience includes research and policy advisor positions in Madagascar, Cameroon and Haiti. Mr. Ahlers will provide the World Bank Perspective on Economic Reforms: Achievements and Challenges.

Jon B. Alterman: Director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Jon B. Alterman is director and senior fellow of the CSIS Middle East Program.

Prior to joining CSIS, he served as a member of the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. Department of State and as a special assistant to the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs. Before entering government, he was a scholar at the U.S. Institute of Peace and at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Alterman has lectured in more than 20 countries on subjects related to the Middle East and U.S. policy toward the region. Alterman is on the Board of Advisory Editors of the Middle East Journal, is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Transnational Broadcasting Studies, and is a former international affairs fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Alterman will talk about Reform in Morocco, and EU and US AID.

Loubna Skalli Hana: School of International Service, the American University Ms H. Skalli is a professor at the School of International Service at American University, Washington D.C. where she teaches gender and youth in international development. She is also an adjunct at the Elliot School of International Affairs at George Washington University. Her most recent publications include Through a Local Prism: Gender, Globalization and Identity in Moroccan Women?s Magazines (Rowman and Littlefield, 2006), and Vulture Culture: the Politics and Pedagogy of Television Talk Shows(co-authored, Peter Lang, 2005). Ms Skalli will present Moroccan NGOs Approaches to Development and Women.

Comments by: H.E. Ambassador Aziz Mekouar. Aziz Mekouar became ambassador of Morocco to the United States on June 19, 2002. Before his current assignment, Ambassador Mekouar served as ambassador to Italy (1999-2002). He was elected Independent Chairman of the Council of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in November 2001 and re-elected in 2003. He had previously been appointed ambassador to Portugal (1993-1999) and to Angola (1986-1993). Ambassador Mekouar has also served as minister plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Morocco (1985-1986), permanent representative of Morocco to the International Bureau for Information Technology (1978-1985), and first counselor and deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Morocco in Rome (1977-1985).
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About the Maghreb Center: The Maghreb Center is an independent Washington DC based non-profit dedicated to understanding and analyzing the political, economic, and social climate in the five countries of North Africa that are also known as the Maghreb: Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. The center disseminates this information amongst policy-makers, academics, the media, and the American public at large.

Beyond promoting a greater appreciation of the Maghreb in terms of history, culture, accomplishments, and challenges, the Center also aims to contribute to development in the region through various activities, and to the strengthening of US-Maghrebi ties, including trade and investment. The Maghreb Center is an initiative from scholars of North Africa and Development practitioners. For more information, please visit: http://maghrebcenter.org/

      Marocain Fashion Show with Ouail Abouhassane and Abderahim Souiri Orchestra It's the holiday season, Don't hesitate to honor us with your presence at the Fasion Parade of Moroccan Traditional and Modern outfits. By NOUZHA LAHLOU (La Maison du Caftan) The night is being sponsered by Royal Air Maroc. We always have done a great job to introduce our great culture. The night will include Moroccan diner and sweet deserts.
Friday, December 15. 8:00pm Tickets: $50 Time at Chain Federation 44-01 Broadway Astoria NY. For Reservation call (917) 517-1185 AND Saturday, December 16 8:00pm. Tickets: $75 Papillion 22 East 54th Street New York NY For Reservation call (917) 517-1185 Nouzha. Restaurant Reservation Kristopher D. Hassett (516) 270-7061 or (212)754-9006

      Political Reforms and Stability in Morocco. Wednesday, December 13, 2006 12:00 - 1:30pm
MEI Boardman Room 1761 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036
The Middle East Institute and American Moroccan Institute are pleased to welcome Andre Azoulay, senior advisor to King Mohammed VI and, prior to that, advisor to his father King Hassan II. Dr Azoulay will discuss Morocco's moves toward political reform and the country's role in the global fight against terrorism. Based on his long experience advising the monarchy, Azoulay will also look at Morocco's regional role in peace efforts as head of the Al Quds committee of the Organization of Islamic Conference. Prior to his government career, Azoulay was editor of the Moroccan daily Maroc-Information and head of Eurocom, based in Paris. In 1976, Azoulay helped establish the Moroccan Jewish cultural organization "Identity and Dialogue." He is also founder and president of the Saouira Festival. For more information and to RSVP, please visit: http://www.mideasti.org/programs/programs_event_details.php?EventID=244  or email RSVP@mideasti.org with the subject line: 12.13.06 Andre Azoulay

      KUNUZ of Morocco open house of Moroccan arts & crafts Saturday, December 9, 2006 10am- 2 pm and Sunday,  December 10, 2006 11am- 2 pm. Pottery from Fes & Safi, wood boxes from Essaouira, mirrors, lanterns& baskets from Marrakesh, Jewelry, kaftans and much more… 2433 Rockbridge Street Vienna , VA 22180 ( residence, very close to Tysons Corner). Mint tea & pastries will be served. Call (703) 992-3540 or send an email to andalus42@yahoo.com. Contact us also to schedule a visit to our showroom on another date

    Benefit Reception for the The Tangier American Legation Museum of Tangier, Morocco Monday, November 27, 2006 from 6:30 pm at the residence of the Ambassador of H.M. the King of Morocco and Mrs Aziz Mekouar. Directions. $75 in advance to TALMS, 2700 Woodley Pl Washington, DC 20008. Names will be checked at the door.

      Morocco in western art: A multidisciplinary international conference convened by The Moroccan Fulbright Alumni Association

Marrakesh, Morocco, November 6-7, 2006

Romantic representations of (a real or imaginary) Morocco endured well beyond the 19 th century generating a considerable production by major and minor artists in all forms: Painting, printmaking, photography, film, decorative arts, fiction, drama, poetry, music, etc.

The Conference aims to bring together art historians, museum curators, literary and film critics and writers, to present to an international audience gathered in Marrakesh for a Global Fulbright Associations meeting, specialist views on the impact of Morocco on a number of Western artists of whom Eugene Delacroix, Henry Matisse, Gordon Coutts, Kees Van Dongen, Salvador Dali, Camille Saint Saëns, Robert Blackburn, Majorelle, Elias Canetti, Daniel Halpern, Tennessee Williams, Paul Bowles, Jean Genet, Orson Welles, Juan Goytisolo, and many others.

For information: email conference@fulbright-alumni.ma or write to: The Chair, Organizing Committee MFAA, c/o MACECE 7, rue d’Agadir, Rabat 10 000, Morocco http://www.fulbright-alumni.ma

    Morocco : From Top-down Reform to Democratic Transition? A symposium of the Middle East Program of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Wednesday, November 1, 2006 12:15pm-1:30pm at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 1779 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, DC 20036 Please RSVP to Patty Mallan at pmallan@ceip.org or 202-939-2261 by October 30. A light lunch will be served.

Some analysts consider Morocco to be the foremost example of successful reform in the Middle East and North Africa, but others dismiss it as a country where superficial reform disguises the regime’s basic authoritarian nature. Please join us for a discussion of a recent Carnegie Paper on Morocco which assesses the current reform process in Morocco as well as prospects for future reform.

Presenter: Marina Ottaway , Carnegie Endowment for International Peace author of the new Carnegie Paper,  “ Morocco : From Top-down Reform to Democratic Transition?”. Commentators: William Zartman, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Abdeslam Maghraoui, United States Institute of Peace. Moderator : Michele Dunne , Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

   Spirit of Fès: Sacred Sounds from East & West US National Tour: Paths to Hope October 7 to 29, 2006
The Spirit of Fès is the international component of the celebrated Fès Festival of World Sacred Music and its companion Fès Forum. Its mission is to broaden the dialogue begun in Fès about ways in which art, culture and spirituality can offer a humane response to pressing global issues. The Tour will travel to 15 cities in 7 states from October 7 - 29 to connect to American communities and audiences. Tour Details

More than twenty musicians from South Asia, North Africa, Europe, and the United States gather to recreate one of the world's great musical gatherings, the Fès Festival of World Sacred Music, held annually in Morocco. Hear ethereal chants by Susan Hellauer (of Anonymous 4) melded with the South Indian improvisations of Aruna Sairam accompanied by percussionist Jamey Haddad. Experience rarely heard Jewish music by Gerard Edery, whom the New York Times calls "a master of Sephardic song." Travel to the Middle East with virtuoso 'ud solos by Palestinian American artist Zafar Tawil. And immerse yourself in the sight and sounds of Sufi songs and dances performed by the twelve-member Daqqa of Taroudant, direct from Morocco. Presented in cooperation with the Embassy of Morocco. Paths to Hope Artistic Director Statement.

Tour Artists
Daqqa Roudania Ensemble (Morocco)
Gerard Edery (U.S.A.-Morocco)
Jamey Haddad (U.S.A.)
Susan Hellauer (U.S.A.)
Aruna Sairam (India)
Zafer Tawil (U.S.A.-Palestine)

October 7 - Washington, D.C. Smithsonian Institution - Freer Gallery of Art / Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 12 p.m.
October 10 - Philadelphia, PA Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts – Perelman Theater 8:00 p.m.
October 11 - Storrs, CT University of Connecticut - Jorgensen Auditorium 8:00 p.m.
October 12 - Schenectady, NY Art Center and Theater of Schenectady - Proctors Theatre 8:00 p.m.
October 13 - Purchase, NY Purchase College, SUNY – Concert Hall 8:00 p.m.
October 14 & 15  - New York, NY Carnegie Hall – Zankel Hall 8:30 p.m. and other events NYC Details
October 17 - Buffalo, NY University at Buffalo - Center for the Arts 8:00 p.m
October 19 - West Lafayette, IN Purdue University- Loeb Playhouse 7:30 p.m.
October 20 & 21 - Urbana, IL Univ. Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Tryon Festival Theatre 7:30 p.m. October 24 - Irvine, CA Irvine Barclay Theatre 8:00 p.m.
October 25 - Riverside, CA UC Riverside - University Theater 8:00 p.m.
October 26 - Los Angeles, CA UCLA Royce Hall 8:00 p.m.
October 27 - Santa Cruz, CA UC Santa Cruz - Music Center Recital Hall 8:00 p.m.
October 28 - Chico, CA California State University, Chico - Laxson Auditorium 7:30 p.m.
October 29 - San Francisco, CA Jewish Community Center of San Francisco - Kanbar Hall 7:00 p.m.

    I Saw Ben Barka Get Killed Part of the Eleventh Annual Arabian Sights Film Festival of Washington, DC
Friday October 27 at 6:30 PM and Saturday October 28 at 9:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
SERGE LE PERON France, Spain, 2005, 101 minutes, Color
Extremist politics, the film industry and criminal activity stylishly collide in Serge Le Péron's pulp thriller based on the still unsolved kidnapping of Moroccan independence leader Mehdi Ben Barka in Paris in 1965. After a stint in prison, George Figon aims to prove himself in the Paris art community and haphazardly undertakes the production of a documentary on decolonization commissioned by a suspicious Moroccan organization. Figon employs Georges Franju to direct, Marguerite Duras to write the narration and, at the behest of the shady sponsors, influential political activist Ben Barka to serve as the primary source of information. Ben Barka mysteriously disappears en route to a meeting with the filmmakers on October 29, 1965. Figon has taken on much more than he can handle and the situation quickly spirals out of his control.

    SOLD OUT - Iftar (breaking the Ramadan fast) Sunday, October 15 from 6:15 p.m. (sunset is 6:30 p.m.) at the Taste of Morocco 8661 Colesville Rd Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone 301 588 8226 (North of Silver Spring metro on Colesville Rd). We will have a speaker to speak about Islam, Ramadan, Iftar, and the food and culture surrounding Ramadan. Tickets MUST be purchased online (no payments at the door) and by October 2nd. Space is limited. To purchase tickets go to the RPCVw website: http://www.rpcvw.org/store.html. Tickets are $20 for members of RPCVw and Friends of Morocco, and $25 for non-members.. Sponsored by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, DC and Friends of Morocco. Not required but consider fasting that day to better understand the experience.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. In 2006 Ramadan will begin on Sept. 24. For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 8 million in North America—Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.

During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost. Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

    Wednesday, October 25 Raising the Moroccan-American child:  Panel on approaches to nurturing successful multi-cultural (and multi-lingual) Moroccan-American children with feet both in Morocco and in the US Room 806 Rome Building, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 6:30 - 7:00 Reception/registration 7:00 - 8:00 Lecture and discussion 8:00 - 8:30 Networking
Part of The Tangier American Legation Museum Society (TALMS) 2006-2007 Seminar Series In cooperation with Friends of Morocco and Association of Moroccan Professionals in America. References: The Colors Of Love - multiracial children: Raising Multicultural Kids Who Are Proud of Their Identities by Francis Wardle and Does Anybody Else Look Like Me? A Parent's Guide to Raising Multiracial Children

Moderator is Norma McCaig, an intercultural specialist and the founder and current chair of Global Nomads International, an organization serving those who have lived abroad because of a parent¹s career choice. She specialises in programmes for raising awareness of the dynamics of the internationally mobile family, the lifelong impact and uses of a globally nomadic childhood, crosscultural transition and intercultural communication. In addition to her work with GNI, she is an affiliate faculty member of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, coordinating Global Nomad Programs and Services through the Multicultural Research and Resource Center (MRRC).  Ms. McCaig¹s work has been highlighted in a number of  articles and books, most notably  Third Culture Kids:  Growing Up Among Worlds, by Ruth Van Reken and David C. Pollock , and the Foreign Service Youth Foundation¹s book, Notes from a Travelling Childhood. Panelist Myriam Fizazi-Hawkins will speak about her experience growing up to a Moroccan father and American mother in Morocco. Bill Lawrence will speak about his experience of being married to a Moroccan woman and raising a child together and Samir Labriny to speak about his experience of being married to an American Woman and raising two children together.

   Orchestra Raïs of Fes at The Great Hall of Cooper Union 7 East 7th Street at Third Avenue East Village, New York City Sat., September 30, 2006 10:00 pm
Founded by the late Hajj Abdelkrim Raïs in 1946, the Orchestra Raïs of Fes was formerly known as Orchestra al-Brihi, and has been one of the best known orchestras in Morocco. Much demanded throughout Europe and the Arab world under the direction of Mohammed Briouel, the Orchestra visited New York three years ago to inaugurate Zankel Hall of Carnegie Hall. Tickets $45 (General Admission) & $65 (Reserved Seating). For info, visit menamusic.org. For tickets and inquiries, contact MENA Music at 212-513-1316 or info@menamusic.org. The first day of Ramadan is expected to be September 23rd. The sunset of Saturday, September 30th (the concert date) will be at 6:40 pm, and the concert will start at 10:00 pm

    Tuesday, September 19  Tangier, Morocco 1882-1909:  Facts behind the fiction. Rome Building, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 6:30 - 7:00 Reception/registration 7:00 - 8:00 Lecture and discussion 8:00 - 8:30 Networking
Dr Diane Skelly Ponasik, Author of “Tangier, a novel” discusses the historical background to her recently published book covering the importance of that 20 year period for Morocco and describing the forces in play in Morocco and in the world, this era of civil war and political unrest.  She will also reflect on the process of historical research necessary to write period fiction. Part of The Tangier American Legation Museum Society (TALMS) 2006-2207 Seminar Series In cooperation with Friends of Morocco and Association of Moroccan Professionals in America

   High Atlas Foundation Second annual fundraising event in NYC on September 21st from 6 to 8 pm at the Urban Center at the New York Palace Hotel - 457 Madison Avenue at 51st Street honoring Carol Bellamy and the keynote speaker will be Andre Azoulay. We're also doing a special fundraiser to fund Kate Jeans-Gail Memorial Fruit Tree Nursery Fund in memory of a former Peace Corps Volunteer, who was killed in an automobile accident shortly after her Peace Corps service ended in 2003. Fun and exciting silent auction items to bid on!! Airline tickets, luxury hotels, Moroccan artwork and much more. Honorary Chairs include Ambassador Tutwiler, Wendy Kopp, Ambassador Ginsberg, Charlie Benjamin, Kevin Quigley and Tim Resch. Individual tickets are $100. Click here to purchase tickets. Send checks payable to "High Atlas Foundation": PO Box 21081, Park West Station, New York, NY 10025. The High Atlas Foundation promotes economic development in rural Morocco. Proceeds from this event will support a new initiative to plant one million fruit trees with communities throughout Morocco. High Atlas Foundation's new tree planting initiative is now featured at GlobalGiving.com. Click here to learn more and to help support one of our community designed tree nursery projects in rural Morocco.

      Schools without Borders” fundraising gala at Casablanca Restaurant, 1504 King Street, (Old Town – 2 blocks from King Street metro) by The Association of Moroccan Professionals in America (AMPA), in partnership with the Morocco Foundation to help four schools in Essaouira Morocco. We are rebuilding areas of all four schools, creating a computer lab with 10 PCs and also sponsoring 315 children – many of whom are orphans. The Gala will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2006 from 11:30am to 4:30pm. 100% of the proceeds from the event will be used to sponsor 315 Moroccan children, and improve the facilities of 4 schools in the Essaouira area. Summary of the project. More details on this project.
The minimum pledge for the event is $50 or $350 for a table of 8.
Event Program:
12:00 to 13:00: 3 course lunch
13:00 to 13:30: Moroccan Fashion Show
13:30 to 14:30: Auction of Moroccan arts and crafts
14:30 to 16:00: Enjoy a delightful Mediterranean music with the “Gibraltar” band (from Guarapo in Arlington)
16:00 Raffle to include a R/T ticket to Morocco, courtesy of Royal Air Maroc.
RSVP: By email to events@amp-usa.org or by phone to either Imane Bentaouet at 202.302.3644 or Hicham Kabbaj at 301.728.4366. For further information contact: Hicham Kabbaj Cell: 301 728 4366 hmkabbaj@Gmail.com or Hicham@amp-usa.org or Imane Bentaouet @ 202.302.3644 or ibentaouet@yahoo.com

      DC area FOM Annual Moroccan Pot Luck Picnic. Sunday, September 10, 2006 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Home of Susan Boucher in Falls Church, VA. RSVP by email or call (703) 556-4332 to get address and directions. What to bring?

      Moroccan American Organization of Chicago (MAOOC) would like to celebrate with you in original event “TASTE OF MOROCCO” pot luck. You and your family are cordially invited for a Culinary and Cultural Journey of Morocco (admission is free). Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 12:00 pm. (Food will be served between 12:30 and 2:30 pm ) Evanston Park ( Elliott Park: 1/2 Block south of Dempster and Lakeshore Blvd)

If there is one thing that brings people together, it is good food and a good cause.  The cause is to learn about our dear country’s different region specialties and introduce kids and Americans to our diverse cuisine, Moroccan games, and traditions. In this potluck, you will get the opportunity to share your traditional dish and/or dessert  that represents your city with others in the community, taste some of the different dishes, network with like-minded souls, make new connections, have stimulating conversations, and play cards or/and checkers.

MAOOC will provide the space for the event (Evanston Park), soft drinks, water, pita bread, plates, cups, and napkins. We will also bring aluminum and candle food heaters. We will be providing entertainment for kids aged between 5 and 12 years, there will be Moroccan story tellers, authentic Moroccan games and henna designers. We will also have a contest and prize for the best cook.

You think this is a great event, please send us an email at contact@maooc.com with the following information before Thursday September 7, 2006: 1.  The dish you’re planning to bring. 2.  Number of Adults and number of Kids to attend. 3.  If you’re planning to bring chairs and/or tents. Contact us with your feedbacks and suggestions at contact@maooc.com or visit us at http://maooc.com.

      MOROCCO I is having it's Reunion on Labor Day weekend, September 1-4, 2006 at Jerry & Diane David's in Hendersonville, North Carolina. A weekend of fun, renewing old friendships, re-living old memories and lots to eat, including a Mishwee on Saturday night. We're even got confirmation from the Moroccan Embassy that they are sending a representative to the Saturday Night event. Invitation only.

    Friday, June 23, 2006 — 6:00 to 8:00 pm
His Excellency Aziz Mekouar Moroccan Ambassador to the United States and the Board of Directors of the High Atlas Foundation
Cordially invite you to join us for a reception to recognize The Honorable Edward M. Gabriel Former United States Ambassador to Morocco for his continued extraordinary service to the people of Morocco and
to remember our dear friend Ms. Kate Jeans-Gail Former Peace Corps Morocco Volunteer
at the home of Ambassador Mekouar 9109 Clewerwall Drive, Bethesda, MD
There is no charge for entry. Donations are always welcome.
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. Dress is business casual.
Please RSVP to Jason at jason@highatlasfoundation.org or (646) 285-7444.
The High Atlas Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to establish development projects in rural communities of Morocco that local people design and manage, and that are in partnership with government and non-government agencies.
High Atlas Foundation Park West Station PO Box 21081 New York, NY  10025 (646) 285-7444 haf@highatlasfoundation.org 

    Saturday, June 24, 2006 from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM

Radisson Hotel, Old Town Alexandria 901 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria VA 22314 Telephone: (703) 683 6000

MOROCCAN AMERICANS: OPPORTUNITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.  The latest American census report indicates that the number of Moroccans residing in the United States exceeds 100,000. In order to wield a persuasive voice that can influence policies affecting our lives, both in the US and in Morocco, we must fully exploit our growing presence to empower our community socially, economically, and politically. With that vision in mind, a group of dedicated Moroccan American volunteers took the initiative to create a framework through which our combined ideas and collective experiences would be employed toward the most pressing issues facing us, including our territorial integrity.

Accordingly, we have the pleasure of inviting you to join this process, which we believe holds great promises for our community and for our beloved country of origin. We strongly encourage you to take part in this historic effort, at its inception, by attending our upcoming seminar. We ask you to add your voice to those of us who have already committed to attend. Please come prepared to share your thoughts and suggestions in the seminar. Let us create an environment that allows Moroccan Americans to want to think and talk with each other, and to effectively plan and execute future strategies in a collective way. 

Please join us in this momentous event to realize our common vision. A detailed program of the event follows:

1.      Registration for the event is required:

·       Advanced registration is strongly encouraged by contacting the volunte