Since this great university creates the best environment for diversity, thanks to the continuous interest and support of the President Dr. David Boren. The idea of the Arab Awareness Week activity has been inspired by President Boren's vision to OU. The Arab Student Association wants to make use of such environment and create a diverse community of students and scholars who will confront the Arab culture, politics and heritage, discuss solutions and create productive dialogue among the various antagonists involved. Purpose of the Activity: To provide a comprehensive illustration of cultural and political life in the Arab world, the Middle East in particular; to provide a glance on the new development in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict; to educate Americans about aspects of the Arab life often ignored in the United States; to create a diverse community of students and scholars who will confront the Arab culture, as well as the most difficult aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and discuss solutions; to create productive dialogue among the Arab and the American students at OU; to engage various possibilities regarding grassroots activism; to bring to campus well-known experts on the Arab life, culture and heritage; to bring to campus bands specializing in Arabic folk and pop music; to show on campus films that will generate better understanding of the Arab cultural life, politics and history; and to link the ASA with both student and professional organizations across the country that focus on various types of Arab and Palestinian activism.

Activities Time Line:

The Arab Student Association is contracting Aalim Dance Academy in order to provide the OU community with bellydance lessons for begginers, intermediate and advanced levels.

Proposition:

A session of one-hour class once a week for 6 weeks to be presented on Tuesdays from 7:30 - 8:30 PM, with prospects for additional classes, either on-going or by session.

Each student to pay either $5.00 per hour at time of each class or $25.00 in advance for entire session (6 hours), a savings of $5.00.

Each student will be provided with informational handouts, cassette of music and choreography notes, at no extra cost. Refreshments will be served.

Schedule:

* Crimson room is located at the Crossroads, 1st Floor, OMU

Registration:

You can register your name by:

• Stopping by the ASA booth table in the Union (Food Court, or main lobby).
• Showing up for the class
• Sending an email to ouasa@ou.edu with your name, phone # and ID #.

Note: SEATS ARE LIMITED

Brief look at Aalim Dance Academy:

• Aalim Dance Academy was founded in 1985, with studios still in operation in Wichita and St. Louis. The studio in Edmond was opened in 1996. In 1998 the Academy incorporated as an Oklahoma Not-for-Profit corporation and in March, 1999, acquired its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

• Soraya Al Musri - Director.
  Soraya has studied dance, in all its forms, for 30 years. Initially a student at the Royal School of Ballet in London, England, she now focuses on Middle-Eastern dance and has traveled to Egypt to study not only the dance, but also the music and culture. Soraya sponsors the annual Starfest workshops, an annual Fund-raising concert for the Studio as well as mini workshops and concerts. In addition, Soraya travels extensively throughout the United States teaching and performing.

• The studio has a complement of seven Directors and six teachers. Classes are taught at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels with emphasis on choreography and presentation of authentic dances of the various Middle-Eastern countries.

• The studio has two dance troupes - Desert Fire and the Aalim Dance Ensemble. Desert Fire perrforms at all public events and the Aalim Dance Ensemble is the theatrical performance troupe specializing in stage presentation of Middle-Eastern Dances.

• The Aalim Dance Academy, Inc. has a staff of well-trained teachers/dancers with varied backgrounds in all forms of dance. All are experienced in teaching groups of students of all ages and all levels of expertise. All have traveled extensively teaching, performing and promoting Middle-Eastern Dance.