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Nov 2002 Algerian-American Association of Greater Washington Friends of Algeria Board News Electing a Board of Directors should not Message from alleviate your responsibility to be involved in The Board of Directors has the association affairs. I am particularly gone through some critical to our veterans who have been in the significant changes in the President Board of Directors in the past and they know recent weeks. As many of The 10th anniversary of AAAGW is a and understand the complexity of running an you already know, both association without the support and involve- Houria Sammari and Radia privileged time when we can come together to assess our achievements and develop strate- ment of their members. I wish the founding Lalouani have left the members would take few hours each year and United States in late gies to ensure we model our association on our past successes as we move forward into the contribute a single article to our struggling August. Houria has newsletter. I wish to see parents talk to their accepted a position in future. If we were to count AAAGW achieve- ments during its first decade, we would kids and involve them into the association’s Algiers while Radia has events thus making sure future generations also moved to Algiers with certainly count this anniversary as the greatest. Indeed, AAAGW has survived against all would still be holding the burning flame. I her family. Both of them wish to see our members contribute with ideas will be greatly missed in odds. None of this would have been possible without the ever growing number of members and provide feedback to the Board and to the Board and the show some real enthusiasm and passion in community. While they who have shown a great willingness to support this association and have embraced its promoting the association spirit. I wish to see remain full members of our members listen more, respond better and AAAGW, they have had to fundamental spirit thus giving it the opportu- nity to grow and flourish. work actively with the Board to plan for the resign from the Board. As future. I wish to see our members be sympa- a consequence of these Great efforts were taken by previous Board of Directors to improve our growth and thetic about the harsh reality of the association departures, the Board of financial constraints and lack of resources. Directors has appointed the quality and diversity of our events. Unfortunately, we did not grow as much as the Finally, I wish that our association take stock Abdel-Illah Stambouli to of the past 10 years experience and draw the position of vice- founding members have hoped for. Nonethe- less, if we consider the many challenges and lessons with a view to formulating a better president. Taoufik Ouatas, vision for its future. our Secretary, has also obstacles that we faced, we have no reason to be dissatisfied with the results of the last 10 The active participation of all members is been away from Washing- imperative to our success. In spite of our ton for personal reasons. years. However, beyond the supportive and schedules, commitments, and responsibilities, Although reduced in each one of us must feel the necessity to give size, the Board contin- patriotic gestures, the association expected more from its members. It is not enough to be something back. The future of this association ues to function and depends on it. prepare for upcoming a member, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. projects. Board elec- Every member has the duty and the responsi- bility to contribute time to this association. Naim Bentahar, tions are now scheduled President for early January 2003. Algeria Calling alternatives for calling Algeria. Friends of Algeria By Yassine Belkhodja PT-1 Communications (www.pt-1.com) also known as 101-6868 offers a 39c per Algerian-American Getting the best rate when calling Algeria? If minute rate to Algeria. The advantage here is Association you are using any of the major long distance that you can get this rate from any phone with of Greater Washington carriers, then you are probably paying too any long distance pro- P.O. Box 65063 much. Most companies will offer rates vider. You can also select Washington, DC 20035 between 58c and 72c with international calling PT-1 as your primary long plans. Rates can go as high as $1.59 or even distance provider. In that Email: [email protected] more without a plan. case you no longer need Web: www.aaagw.org There are better and less expensive Continued on last page ALGERIAN CULTURE: Alive and Well Bastion 23, a vestige of Hamchaoui were on display. the past and now a classified These reputable painters have historic building, was the in common the traditional setting of a collective painting themes of the Casbah, its exhibit entitled “Summer narrow street, its old houses, Mosaic” which gathered the bay of Algiers and established Algerian painters traditonal Algerian woman. and other younger emerging A celebration of Algerian artists. Their work exploding culture, this exhibit demon- with bright colors are saying: strated once again the artistic “Algeria’s culture is doing well richness that our country and will continue to surprise conceals. The experienced new generations to come. older artists seemed very happy More than sixty paintings to present their work next to from all of Chegroune Khelifi, young talents. Artists nicely Moussa Bourdine, Douadi, offered useful tips and tricks to Saharli, Nedjar Mohamed, the new generation. Bencheikh Bachir, Kamel The venue, an ancient Bouchali, Safia Zoulid, Aïcha palace in downtown Algiers, is Haddad, Mohamed Bouslah, an architectural masterpiece Mustapha Belkhalfa, Sari and worth a visit on your next Youcef, Mohamed Khettib, trip to Algeria. Merdoukh Brahim, Aïssa (Algiers, August 2002) Yasmina Khadra In The Name Of God (Original title: LES AGNEAUX DU SEIGNEUR) Yasmina Khadra is the At Ghachimat, a small Algiers is at war. Allal marries pseudonym of Mohamed Algerian village where rancor Sarah and the entire village is Moulessehoul. Enrolled in the fuels the collective memory, invited. Kada, who loves her in army at the age of nine, he three friends try to become secret, thinks he will no longer starts writing novels using his responsible adults - Allal get over the disappointment real name until the regime Sidhom, 26, is a policemen; and decides to follow the begins to feel displeased. Kada Hilal, teacher, is a terrorist path. The village sees Following the advice of his member of the Islamic the arrival of the integralists wife he starts using the name Movement currently clandes- violence Yasmina Khadra, the name of tine; Jafed Wahab finds it and the his wife. In a short time he Moulessehoul leaves the army difficult to leave the village. reign of writes a trilogy featuring and starts writing full time. He After the prayer, the friends terror Inspector Llob which has a currently lives in Mexico but meet for a drink and try to begins. huge impact in France and sells continues to use the pseud- forget the weight of tradition. Ghachimat well also in Italy (E/O publish- onym Yasmina Khadra. Who will be first to get plunges ers). Nobody knows that His books have been married? Who will seduce into behind Yasmina there is a translated in many languages beautiful Sarah? At fanatism seemingly obedient Algerian including English (see next Ghachimat, love is hidden. and blood. soldier. In September 2000 column). During this time, people rebel, TOBY, 2000 Algerian Idol Quest for new young talents on Algerian Radio III at a trendy swimming pool center in Algiers (July 2002). Music ranged from Rap and Blues to Chaabi in a great display vitality. Greek and Turkish music as The Prince of Rai well as hip-hop, funk, reggae and Latin music. His unique Khélifati Mohamed, AKA Oran. At the end of 1985, he characteristics include a voice Cheb Mami, was born July 11, embarked for Paris for a tour tinged with Andalusian 1966, in Saida, Algeria. of Arab clubs. In January 1986 accents, an effortless ability to Located 1200 kilometers south Mami participated in the Rai merge the traditional and the of Oran, the city of Saida Festivals of the Villete (Paris) contemporary, and a natural exposed Mami to the tradi- and Bobigny. There he met grace. tional Berber culture and the Michele Levy, who became his Cheb Mami’s international bustling urban environment, manager. In December 1986, calling card, however, was both of which have impacted Mami appeared at the famous backing Sting on “Desert his musical style. Like many Olympia Theater in Paris. Rose.” The collaboration with other rai singers, Mami began After he finished two years the British pop star was his artistic career singing at of military service in Algeria, arranged by Sting’s manager, marriage ceremonies and in May of 1989, Mami Miles copeland, who gave circumcisions. returned to the Paris stage at Sting a copy of one of Mami’s In 1982, when he was 15, the Olympia, confirming that CDs and he loved it. Sting he participated in the Ahan wa he was the main hope for the went to one of the concerts and chabab contest, a popular radio rejuvenation of Rai. He later asked Mami to guest on his program. He won second prize. toured the United States, the CD. backs Mami on a track, Chet Producers contacted him Netherlands, Germany, Mami’s most recent CD, Atkins is on guitar on backing immediately and Mami began Switzerland, Spain, Dellali, is both sophisticated, vocals and the London releasing cassettes; a dozen Scandinavia and England.

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