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Cablegate: Proposal for Cultureconnect Envoy Muslim American

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001564

SIPDIS

STATE FOR ECA/PE/C/CU, NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO BA
SUBJECT: Proposal for Cultureconnect Envoy Muslim American
Calligrapher Program in Bahrain

1. (U) This cable contains a proposal for a Cultureconnect
Envoy Visual Arts Program entitled "Muslim American
Calligrapher in Bahrain."

2. (U) Begin proposal text.

CULTURECONNECT ENVOY REQUEST
Project Type: Visual Arts
"This project meets the ACULSPEC Request Criteria"

CONTACTS FOR THIS REQUEST
Main Contact
First+Last Name: Mario Crifo
Title: Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Country: BAHRAIN
Post: MANAMA
Telephone: +973-3941-9883
Fax: +973-1727-0547
E-mail Address: crifomn@state.gov

Other Contacts:
Janan Shaikh Abdulla, Cultural Affairs Assistant
ShAbdullaJ@state.gov
+973-1724-2712
Wyn Hornbuckle, Public Affairs Officer
hornbuckpw@state.gov
+973-1724-2717

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND JUSTIFICATION
Project Name: Muslim-American Calligrapher in Bahrain
Project Description: Muslim-American Calligrapher visits
Bahrain to display calligraphic artwork at local arts and
religious institutions, conduct workshops with local
calligraphers, and speak on the topic of Islamic culture in
America.

MPP Goals: Combating Terrorism, Democracy, Mutual
Understanding, Information Resources
Project Objectives and Relationships to MPP Goals above:
This project will bring the artwork and perspective of an
accomplished Muslim-American calligrapher to broad audiences
among Bahraini artists, museum professionals, academics,
students and youth. Our specific goals are:

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1. Increase mutual understanding by educating target
communities about Islam and Muslims in America, and by
illustrating the prevalence of and respect for Muslims and
Islamic art in America.

2. Engage academics in dialogue about the role of religious
freedom and tolerance in American society. (Comment: This is
especially important given Bahrain's sectarian challenge of
harmonizing divisions between Sunni and Shia sects.)

3. Educate Bahraini artists and curators about cutting edge
techniques in calligraphy that are practiced by accomplished
American artists.

HOST INSTITUTIONS / SUBJECTS & METHODS OF DELIVERY /
AUDIENCES
#1 A. Beit Al Quran
B. A joint project of the Ministry of Information and the
Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Beit Al Quran is a museum
and cultural center devoted to the curation and display of
Quranic texts in various calligraphic forms. / A. We would
like Mr. Zakariya to present and dicuss his work, the
selection of manuscripts, and the calligraphic techniques
used. We would like him to hold a master class on
calligraphy techniques with calligraphy students and artists
who have a basic level of pre-professional proficiency.

B. lecture-demonstration and master class / 1. museum
curators and patrons

2. pre-professional calligraphers and calligraphy students

3. Bahraini public
#2 A. University of Bahrain Department of Islamic Studies
B. The U of B is the primier public institution of higher
education in Bahrain. The Department of Islamic Studies has
close ties to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. / A. We would
like Mr. Zakariya to display his work and discuss text
selection and historical significance, as well as the
prevalence of Muslims and Islamic artwork in America.

B. lecture-demonstration / 1. Department of Islamic Affairs
students and faculty

2. broader University of Bahrain community
#3 A. Al Eskafi Arts Society
B. With a membership of 300, Al Eskafi is the largest
collection of artists in Bahrain and is also the most grass-
roots in orientation. Their artwork dons city buildings and
highway partitions. / A. We would like Mr. Zakariya to
present a workshop with selected young untrained artists
from Al Eskafi Arts Society on basic techniques in Islamic
calligraphy.

B. workshop / 1. members of Al Eskafi Arts Society

2. students from Bahrain public schools


Equipment & Materials: Prints or posters of the artist's
work, slides, supplies for master classes and workshops
ACULSPEC Expertise: Professional Islamic Calligrapher
Foreign Languages Required: English. Arabic not required.

PREFERRED PROJECT DATES
First Choice: January 23-28, 2006
Second Choice: February 27-March 4, 2006
Blackout Dates: Fridays, January 31-February 23

PER-DIEM RATES:
Lodging Rate: US$175 per day
M&IE Rate: US$96 per day

MONETARY AND IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
Post Contribution: Money: US$1355 / In-Kind: (None)
Host Contribution: Money: US$(None) / In-Kind: meeting
facility, in country transportation, some meals, art
supplies

REQUESTED ACULSPEC (OPTIONAL)
Citizenship: U.S.
First+Last Name: Mohamed Zakariya
Title:
Institution: Zakariya Calligraphy
Street Address: 536 North Littleton Street
City+State+Zip: Arlington, VA 22203
E-mail:
Phone: 703-243-9210

COMMENT
Post Manama welcomes working with neighboring posts to
develop a multicountry program with regional impact.

3. (U) End proposal text.

MONROE

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