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Egyptian Americans at the large Feb. 5 rally disagreed with media reports that “Islamist extremists” might fill the void if President Mubarak steps down. “The average Egyptian—from Egypt’s growing middle class—wants a normal life, an opportunity to earn a living, and a free and open government,” Ayman, a San Francisco resident of Egyptian heritage, told the Washington Report. “We have many educated, qualified people to be in the government.” While concerned about their families in Egypt, Bay Area residents, many with their children in tow, were thrilled that Mubarak’s reign would—they hoped—be coming to an end.
The Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California opened the Bay Area’s first gallery to showcase works by Muslim artists at its Oakland center on Jan. 7. The inaugural reception featured paintings by Rubina Kazi, the first artist to be featured in the three-part exhibition, “Women and the Word: Women Artists and Islamic Calligraphy.” A computer and software engineer by profession, Kazi’s “Praise and Peace” series of paintings constituted her artistic debut. Artistically inclined since childhood, the India-born mother of two began inten-
Reem Alalusi, Sam Hussain Wedding Reem Alalusi and Sam Hussain celebrated their wedding with family, friends and colleagues at an elegant Jan. 22 reception in San Francisco’s City Hall. Following a welcoming fete on the second floor balcony, guests gathered in the beautifully appointed rotunda for the baraat (groom’s arrival), followed by the zaffa (bride’s arrival). Escorted by drummers and accompanied by his parents, Ashfaq and Razia Nishat Hussain, and other
STAFF PHOTO PHIL PASQUINI
Calling for the closure of the U.S.-run prison at Guantánamo Bay and an end to torture and other inhumane practices, human rights activists dressed in orange jumpsuits and black hoods gathered inside San Francisco’s federal courthouse on Jan. 11. “President Obama has continued indefinite detention, blocking accountability for torture both by refusing to conduct independent investigations and by attempting to prevent the courts from reviewing lawsuits brought by formerly detained men,” World Can’t Wait member Stephanie Tang told the small crowd. A lawsuit against Jeppesen Dataplan, Inc. by plaintiffs Binyam Mohamed, Abou Elkassim Britel, Ahmed Agiza, Mohamed Farag Ahmad Bashmilah and Bisher al-Rawi is one case blocked by the Bush and Obama administrations from proceeding to justice. In December the plaintiffs petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review their case against the Boeing-owned entity (see Nov. 2010 Washington Report, p. 52).
STAFF PHOTOS PHIL PASQUINI
Activists Call for Closing of Guantánamo Prison
ABOVE (l-r): Diana Alalusi, Razia Nishat Hussain, Reem Alalusi, Sam Hussain, Ashfaq Hussain, and Dr. Hesham Alalusi. INSET: The bride’s hennaed hands.
sively pursuing her painting career after viewing an exhibition at Dubai’s Islamic art center. “The exhibit really inspired me, along with my trip to Mecca, where I performed umrah,” she told her guests. “That experience brought me closer to God, so I decided to use my painting as a medium to Rubina Kazi Art Exhibit express my spirituality.” Kazi’s use of geometric shapes and rich harmony of color have a visual appeal—beyond their written message—even to those who don’t read Arabic. Rabea Chaudhry, the second artist in the debut show, exhibits Feb. 4 through March 1, and Salma Arastu, the third artist, will s h ow h e r wo rk s Standing in front of her artwork, with her daughter, Zara, at her March 4 through 29. side, Rubina Kazi speaks to guests at her art exhibition at the Is- For more info visit (<www.iccnc.org>). lamic Cultural Center of Northern California. APRIL 2011
THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS
family members, the groom proceeded down the grand staircase to the flowerstrewn dais. Also accompanied by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Hesham Alalusi, and family members, the bride—a dazzling vision in a jewel-encrusted red silk Pakistani gown—descended the marble stairs to join her husband. Dr. Alalusi welcomed the guests and introduced renowned master of Arabic calligraphy Haji Noor Deen, from Zhen Zhou, China, who, on the previous day, had conducted the nikah (religious ceremony). Aswat, the Bay Area’s classical Arabic music ensemble, performed throughout the evening event. Born and raised in San Francisco with roots in Iraq, the bride is an independent art curator working with fine art galleries around the world (see April 2009 Washington Report, p. 34). The groom—raised in Texas, of Pakistani descent and fluent in five languages—is a government consultant in Washington, DC, where the couple will make their home. ❑ 45