Cultural and Community Center

Love, InshAllah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women is a nonfiction anthology edited by Ayesha Mattu & Nura Maznavi, set to be released this Valentines day. In this groundbreaking collection, 25 writers sweep aside stereotypes to share their search for love and reveal what it means to be a Muslim woman in America today.

Join coeditor Nura Maznavi for a sneak-peek reading from the book at the ACCC on the Saturday before Valentine's Day!

Bios, reviews and more at: http://loveinshallah.com/

Join us for this exciting fourth event in our Zait wa Zaatar arts and social justice workshop series! Guest speakers will lead a discussion on how safety and violence is experienced by our (Arab) communities, how it impacts us, and how it can be addressed through the medium of dance. Leyya Tawil will perform, discuss her dance empowerment work locally and in the Arab World and lead an optional movement practice!

About the Course:

The ACCC's Debka course is open to any Arab and non-Arab community members interested in learning how to dance debka and learning about the art form! The early classes will begin with oral history about debka as an intrinsic part of Arab societies, identity, practices and in some cases cultural survival by course instructor and guest lecturers.

Course instructor Jehad Al Shamarkheh will discuss where, how, why, and when debka is practiced in the Arab world with an emphasis on refugee camps in Palestine. The instructor will also allow the students to explore variations of the dance and music it is customarily practiced with through examining a diverse array of videos covering Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. Students will also participate in interactive workshops discussions about art and culture as an intrinsic part of individual and collective identities which will enhance their knowledge and appreciation for debka.

The course will begin by teaching students basic techniques and steps customarily a part of any improvised or staged version of the dance. By week three and four students will begin learning a dance with a story line choreographed by the instructor which they will complete by the end of the 11 week course.

Ages 15 and up

Fees: General $115, Members/Students: $100

Students can enroll by emailing the ACCC at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling us at 415-664-2200.

Instructor Biograp

This has been a big year for elections in the Arab World! Your presence is requested in our own upcoming elections for the ACCC's next Executive Committee and Board.

All are welcome to come. In order to vote, you must have been an ACCC member in 2011. In order to run, you must have signed up for membership before January 25th of 2011. To find out about your membership start date, contact Weyam Ghadbian.

Sign up now for 11 sessions of Modern Standard Arabic classes (written and spoken) for youth (ages 5-16)!

DATES: Every Saturday beginning January 7th-March 17th

TIME: 11 am - 2 pm

TUITION: $155 per student for non-members (with $15 off for each subsequent child) and $140 per student for ACCC members

To register, fill out an application online.