Arab American Club of Monterey, CA

09/02/2017

07/18/2017

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft35.0-0%2Fp480x480%2F20050217_10156606881789152_1478207720_o.jpg%3Foh%3Dcb649d1f531e2e7e36856a445d7ad4f9%26oe%3D59702534&h=ATOhtRq88BKyjJQGj9M0mFWIdkbqyeMpDEOzFjkVDKUopzFyHzVZonxBrYQVSu_mqj0pdW-wTA6rcBuiJzUU5RAUN_NufoqOFCBsRhuNHFlkYnkF5dq3d3lTNnISd7oSh2Le_5mYaHaP

07/18/2017

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft35.0-0%2Fp480x480%2F20106867_10156606886119152_1456981356_o.jpg%3Foh%3D63fddd14950cb7cde9d7be14d10b6599%26oe%3D59701D85&h=ATOhtRq88BKyjJQGj9M0mFWIdkbqyeMpDEOzFjkVDKUopzFyHzVZonxBrYQVSu_mqj0pdW-wTA6rcBuiJzUU5RAUN_NufoqOFCBsRhuNHFlkYnkF5dq3d3lTNnISd7oSh2Le_5mYaHaP

01/18/2017

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-musical-and-cultural-benefit-for-syria-tickets-31150124862

Monterey Peace and Justice Center, the Monterey Peninsula Friends Meeting (Quakers), and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom-Monterey County Branch, will present “A Musical and Cultural Benefit for Syria”, a benefit concert for Syrian refugees and victims of war who are being assi...

01/03/2017

From our New Year Party :)

12/27/2016

Join us all for the New Year Party. Call number on flyer for more information. Address 540 Calle Principle. Starts at 8pm. Dress to impress :)

08/27/2016

An amazing Saturday afternoon with friends and families

12/19/2015

NEW YEARS EVE PARTY!

AN INVITATION TO AN ARAB CLUB NEW YEARS EVE MUSICAL EVENT.

We will be celebrating the New Year with the sounds of the Iraqi musician Faris Farah. (Check out a sampling of his songs online). Also performing will be our own local musician Gussan Bidawid and guest.
It will be held on New Year’s Eve at the Monterey Civic Center building on Calle Principal Street. You may also enter on Pacific Street across the street from City Hall, between the Monterey Museum and the Masonic Lodge.

Cost will be $35 per person for club members and $50 for non-member guests. A Middle Eastern dinner, sparkling cider and party favors are included. Doors will open at 7:30 pm

All tickets will need to be purchased and paid for in advance. To make reservations, reply to this email or to [email protected] with the number in your party, followed by sending a check for the proper amount made out to Arab American Club, and sent to 2835 David Ave. Apt. 30, Pacific Grove, 93950. Or, if you are attending the Christmas Party you may bring it with you then. Reservations will be confirmed on a first come first served basis as your checks arrive, after which you will be notified by email of your confirmation.

12/09/2015

Annual Christmas at the Adobe

Dear Club Members

The Arab world is in turmoil and fighting for its life. Most of our home countries of origin are suffering, with some on the border of collapse. Each year we watch and think it couldn’t get worse, yet it does. Each of us is connected to this struggle in some form or another. And for those of us with family and friends overseas, the nightmare is even more devastating. Although we are far removed from the despair and from having to worry about where our next meal is coming or if someone with a misguided hatred for our nationality or religion will hurt us or our family; we still cannot help but feel a deep sadness as we watch the horror unfold. Why? Because we’re all connected, whether we like it or not.
We are privileged to live in a time and place where no one can separate us but ourselves. We have a choice to actively support and participate in a Club that does not differentiate on what country you come from or what religion you hold dear. To participate in a club that is an example not only to other members of our Arab community, but perhaps more importantly an example of intellect, culture and that unique Arab generosity that for many who travel to the middle east say is the one thing they remember the most.
The Arab American Club has been a refuge and a source of great pleasure for those who see commonality first and differences second. I have had the privilege of knowing and growing close to many from a variety of backgrounds and faiths; A tabouli of Arab identity and culture.
It is fast approaching Christmas; A time that is made special in part for gathering; a time to share and to care for one another. Let’s take advantage of this season to get together and to make it a point to bring together those in our community that typically would not join in.
This year our Club Christmas Potluck will be held on Saturday December 19 at the Old Adobe building on Tyler in Monterey. We will have dinner and games along with our favorite Secret Santa gift exchange. Doors will open at 5:00 with dinner at 6.

Please bring a small wrapped gift with a value of about $15 to $20 for each member of your family or guests in your party.

Also please bring a hot dish for twice the number of people in your party. Club will provide drinks and desert.

We would like to ask for volunteers to help with the games and activities. Please contact us as soon as possible if you can help.

We are also going to hold elections for a new board for the coming year since some of our board including myself will be retiring. Please be prepared to nominate those whom you believe will be able to serve.

Nashwan

12/09/2012

ARAB AMERICAN CLUB NEWSLETTER

Hello All,

The club will be hosting a Christmas Party Potluck dinner on Saturday, December 22, in the Adobe Building at 470 Tyler Street in Monterey. Feel free to bring all the family and any guest you would like to invite. But please also bring an appropriate amount of a hot dish. We will gather from 5 pm until 9.
We will be playing some Xmas games and giving out some cute little gifts…..
Also,we will play Secret Santa ,so please we like to ask everyone to bring a 'silly' wrapped gift that each person can pick, and….
it is going to be fun!!!!
See you all there !

Merry Christmas
Nashwan Hamza

03/15/2012

Arab World
Mother's Day in most Arab countries is celebrated on 21 March. It was introduced in Egypt by journalist Mustafa Amin[28] in his book (Smiling America) 1943. The idea was overlooked at the time, but when Amin heard the story of a widowed mother who devoted her whole life to raise her son until he became a doctor, got married and left without showing her any gratitude, Amin became motivated to promote for "Mother's Day". The idea was first ridiculed by president Gamal Abdel Nasser but he eventually accepted it and Mother's Day was first celebrated on 21 March 1956. The practice has since been copied by the other Arab countries.
When Mustafa Amin was arrested and imprisoned, there were attempts to change the name of the holiday from "Mother's Day" to "Family Day" as the government wished to prevent the occasion from reminding people of its founder. These attempts were unsuccessful and celebrations continued to be held on that day; classic songs celebrating mothers remain famous to this day.

02/12/2012

The Legend of “Habib Al-Hub”

The legend is told of a man that was born February 14, 1414 to a poor family in Baghdad Iraq, and was given the name Habib Al-hub! Despite his poor upbringing he grew up the happiest child in the village. He smiled constantly and would always be giving cut flowers to the young ladies. The story told is that when he became a man, his father arranged his marriage to a cold and passionless woman named Kaliba Aswad (Dark Heart). She showed him no affection and he lived without love for many years. Then one day he chanced upon a woman so fair that it made his heart skip. She was the eldest daughter of a prominent family and her name was Balam……. Balam Al-Teen. Her name in Arabic means ‘The Fig Boat’. When their eyes met they both instantly fell in love, but they both knew it was a love that was forbidden for he was a married man of poor means and she was from a wealthy family; it could never be. They continued to steal glances at one another in the market place, and occasionally take the chance to write each other love notes. Each note that he wrote to her began with the sentence “Would you be my Balam Al-Teen?” His love for her although forbidden, became known to all in the village, and he continued to love her until the day he died.
The people were so touched by this love that to this day, in that small village in Iraq, on every February 14th, lovers will send notes to each other asking the question “Will you be my Balam Al-Teen”. Later the tradition was noticed by Christopher Columbus on one of his many trips to Baghdad. And he brought the tradition with him when he sailed to the New World. As you know, the English cannot pronounce Arabic words, so instead of “Balam Al-Teen”, the word became “Valentine”.
B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Balam) !!!

So my friends; let us come together and celebrate “Love Arab Style” in the honor of Habib Al-hub and his love Balam Al-Teen!

Nashwan Hamza