Calendar of Events
May 14, 2012
[D.C.] D.C. International Human Rights Film Festival 2012
Since its inception in 2008, the D.C. International Human Rights Film Festival (DCIHRFF) has grown into an annual event that offers free film screenings on human rights topics from around the world, from Senegal to South Africa to Argentina and beyond. Pressing social and civic issues – including terrorism, women’s rights, censorship, political repression, and multiculturalism – come into focus through screenings, panel discussions, and artistic performances.The festival aims to highlight international human rights issues and build understanding between cultures, exposing audiences to under-reported human rights challenges and underscore the universality of individual rights. Our films fulfill a unique, untapped segment where we cover not only the Arab world but the entirety of the Muslim world and our audience is not only the Muslim Diaspora.
Each movie starts at 6:00pm.
May 19, 2012
[Boston] PALINDROME: The commissioning of a musical journey
Pre-reception with light refreshments – 7:00 p.m.
Pre-concert Discussion – 7:30 p.m.
Concert – 8:00 p.m.
Join us for the exclusive debut of a unique jazz composition from a Grammy-nominated musician. The New England Foundation for the Arts funded AIC to commission an original piece by DUNYA co-founder Mehmet Ali Sanlikol. The product is Palindrome, a Turkish-influenced jazz composition close to Sanlikol’s heart. Palindrome is a musical journey mirroring Mehmet’s own voyage from Turkey to the U.S. and from a jazz-centric virtuoso to curator of multiple musical styles.
On May 19, Mehmet and members of the DUNYA collective will take us on a journey back to his cultural and musical roots. It’s not everyday a musician of Mehmet’s caliber performs a tailor-made jazz serenade, just for you. Don’t miss this concert! The event is open to the public, but space is limited!
Reserve your seat at: http://palindromeamusicaljourney.eventbrite.com/
May 23, 2012
[Boston] Witness Series: ‘Dreams of the Middle East’s Next-Generation Reformers’
“Arab Spring Dreams” is a new book spotlighting remarkable writing by young Middle Easterners on individual rights and their dreams for a better future. It features a foreword by Gloria Steinem, praise from Nobel Laureate Lech Walesa, and has been hailed by ABC News’ Lara Setrakian as ““an essential portrait of a generation.”
This special edition of the Witness Series features the anthology’s editors Nasser Weddady and Sohrab Ahmari sharing their own stories of growing up under repression and how they selected the writings for the book from the American Islamic Congress’ annual “Dream Deferred” essay contest.
As the son of a diplomat, Nasser Weddady grew up meeting dictators like Hafez Al-Assad and Moamar Qaddafi. Despite his privileged status, he bristled at repression and rebelled to become a civil rights activist. Sohrab Ahmari grew up in Tehran after the revolution and experienced Islamist repression as a student. The editors will read brief excerpts of their favorite essays from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and beyond. They will be available to autograph copies of the book.
August 1, 2012
[D.C.] Thomas Jefferson Iftar
AIC will host a dinner to commemorate the dinner held by Thomas Jefferson for the first Muslim ambassador to the United States in 1805.
August 19, 2012
[D.C.] Eid Celebration
AIC annual gathers diverse communities together to celebrate during the month of Ramadan. We also organize and participate in similar interfaith and intercultural celebrations. The celebrations will culminate in an Eid Al-Fitr barbeque to celebrate the union of American and Muslim culture.