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Pro-Democracy Organizing in and with the Middle East & North Africa
"In case we ever thought the arts and politics are separated or that one can operate without the other - we are now completely thrust into engagement in the fullest sense." Khaled Mattawa
 | | drawing by Nidal el Khairy |
ART & COMMUNITY SPACES
In the region
El Mastaba Center for Egyptian Folk Music El Mastaba played an active role in the Egyptian Revolution, bringing the groups under its umbrella to Tahrir Square to share their music in five evening concerts on the stages built in the square. See parts of El Tanboura's concert in Tahrir Square. "At El Mastaba we believe that folk music is the soul of a nation and a transparent reflection of its identity and therefore we continue our journey and our revolution through our music." Makan House An independent dynamic space for contemporary art in Amman, Jordan has opened its doors in response to the electrifying historical days in the region, inviting people to meet, chat, collaborate and make artwork. April 6 Youth Movement on Facebook Begun in 2008, this Facebook group started as a page in support of a planned textile workers' strike in the city of Mahalla al-Kobra and gained momentum as the protests escalated into a nationwide strike. In the U.S. Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC) Sponsor of events, protests, and cultural dialogues in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alwan for the Arts Alwan advances Arab arts and culture by presenting a wide range of public performances and events in New York City. ART (HE)ART of the Revolution An online exhibit displaying art from around the world in support of the recent uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East. Women of the Egyptian Revolution A photographic homage to the women fighting on the streets of Egypt, to those whose voices and faces were hidden from the public eye during the first days of the revolution. FURTHER READING Fabulous February of Freedom guest blog by conference call presenter Dalia Basiouny Rising to shake off the fear in Libya article by conference call presenter Khaled Mattawa Uprising in Tunisia -a political act of self-immolation Revolution in the head and on the page: Writers are waking up to a new dawn across the Arab world What's happening in the Middle East: the seeds of revolution How to build international solidarity between activists in the US and those in Iran | 
