Nov 2002

Algerian-American Association of Greater Washington Friends of

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 . 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 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. and genre-expansive, Dellali Community Gospel Choir joins just is 1986. Mami’s music borrows features Mami’s unique vocals in the chef d’oeuvre. Clearly, In 1985, Mami made his from an eclectic blend of cutting through orchestral Dellali is Mami’s best work to first public performance at the Mediterranean and Western violin, accordion, cello, oud, date. Premier Festival of Rai of influences including flamenco, and drums. In turnabout, Sting www.chebmami.net

History of Andalusian Music by Fayçal Ahtchi-Ali Ziryab is the founder of call today Nawba which is 19) Ajam Iraq, 20) Ghrib Andalusian Music. Abou-Al- defined as instrumental and Hsine, 21) Mhaeir, 22) Mharie Hassan Ali Ibn Nafa, called vocal suites of large number of Sika, 23) Asbahene, 24) Raml Ziryab, was born in Baghdad in songs performed in a well Eddhil . 799 AD. He was the Khalif’s defined order. Each song Each Nawba is played in 5 Haroun El-Rasheed favorite consists of several verses rythms which are Msaddar, entertainer. The way Ziryab belonging to the Poetry Btaihi, Darj, Insiraf, and school played the Andalusian played the luth (Oud) was created in . Ziryab Khlass. The 24 Nawbas reflect Music in accordance with the unique. His teacher Ishaq El- founded the School of Cordoba the musical tastes and prefer- rules of the modes and rythms Mawsili became very uncom- which was the first music ences of the people that but the music changed from fortable with the great musical conservatory ever founded composed early Andalusian one school to another. The performance of Ziryab. Ishaq throughout the Islamic world, society. three schools were called: El-Mawsili ordered Ziryab to then the schools of Seville and The transfer of Andalusian Music School of Constantine either leave the Abassid Granada were created years music to North Africa started (Music Malouf), Music School Empire or face the death. later. approximately in the 10th of Algiers (Music Essanaa), Ziryab decided to go to Tunisia They were 24 Nawbas century and continued until and Music School of Tlemcen where he became very popular corresponding to 24 hours of 1492 AD. Musicians from (Music Gharnati). with Tunisian classical music. the day. Each Nawba is played Cordoba settled in Algeria, In 1963, musicians from In 822 AD, Ziryab and his in a specific time and mode musicians from Seville settled North Africa got together in a family decided to go to (tabaa). The 24 Nawbas are: in Tunisia, and those from conference on Andalusian Andalusia (Southern Spain) 1)Eddhil, 2) Maya, 3) Rasd, 4) Granada settled in Morocco. Music, held in Carthage, where they found protection Rasd Eddhil, 5) Raml Maya, 6) It was not until 1908 that Tunisia, and discovered that under the Khalif Abdelrahman Hsine, 7) Mazmoum, 8) Raml, the first Andalusian music from the 24 Nawbas only 12 II who ruled Andalusia from 9) Zidane, 10) Moujanabah, school was founded in full and 3 partial Nawbas 822 to 852 AD. 11) Sika, 12) Ghrib, 13) Iraq, Tlemcen , then years later two remained. The rest of the In Andalusia, Ziryab 14) Jarkah, 15) Mawal, 16) other schools were created in Nawbas disappeared for lack created the Nouba or what we Nawa, 17) Rahaoui, 18) Ajam, Algiers and Constantine. Each of publication. General Assembly of Members of AAAGW Ramadhan Sahra The Board of Directors is organizing a General Assembly on January 11, 2003 at Saturday November 23, 2002 11:00am at the BCC center in Bethesda. 7:00pm to 11:00pm The purpose of the General Tilden Center Assembly is to report to members on the activities of 6300 Tilden Lane the Association, give members an opportunity to express Rockville, MD 20852 opinions, and elect new Board Members are invited to bring members. sweets and pastries to share. You are cordially invited to The association will offer cold attend this important event. drinks, coffee and tea. Additional information Entertainment will be provided including the Annual Report by amateur musicians. Bring will be mailed to all members your cards, chess board or in good standing. favorite games. The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center This is a FREE event. 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814. For more information, please For more information, please send an email to send an email to [email protected] [email protected]

and Libya, on the southeast and Continued from front page south by Niger, on the south to dial 101-6868 before the and south west by Mali, on the phone number. west by Mauritania and on the The best rates however west northwest by Morocco. can be found using calling The northern part is the long cards. The rate can go as low ALGERIA coastline running along the as 11c per minute with the Brief Geography Mediterranean Sea. Latino card from Oblio Only the main rivers of the Telecom (www.obliotel.com) By Nacer Megherbi Tell have water all year round, This card comes in $5 and $10 and even then the summer flow denominations. A $5 can give When my eight year old is small. None of the rivers are you as much as 44 minutes of son asked me to tell him about navigable. The mountainous longitudinal zones running uninterrupted talk time with our beautiful country Algeria, I areas of the High Plateaus are generally eastwest: the Algeria. This is more than said to myself that I am sure poorly watered; most of the Mediterranean zone; the High enough for many conversations lots of parents are asked the rivers and streams flow Plateaus; and the Sahara which with family and friends back same question over and over irregularly, since they depend covers some 85% of the entire home in Algeria. There are no again during school projects. an erratic rainfall for water. In area. About half of Algeria is connection fee but there are In the following, I would like the High Plateaus lie many salt 914 m (3,000 ft) or more above other hidden fees if you do not to provide a brief overview of marshes and dry or shallow sea level, and about 70% of the use the whole card on a single the geography of Algeria. lakes. Further south, the land area is from 762 m (2,500ft) to call. Perhaps, in the next coming becomes increasingly arid, 1675m (5,500 ft) in elevation. There are multiple ways to newsletter, another member merging into the completely The lowest point is Chott lower your monthly phone bill could enlighten our youngsters dry Sahara desert. Melrhir -40m and the highest and still spend some quality about the history of Algeria. The northern parallel Tahat at 3,003m. time with family and friends in Algeria is the second- mountain ranges of the Saharan Algeria. If you know of other largest country in Africa after Tell or Maritime Atlas, Hope this helps! companies that provide this Sudan and is located in comprising coastal massifs and services at a lower cost, please northwestern Africa. It is inland ranges, and the Saharan share it with us by sending an bordered on the east by Tunisia Atlas divide Algeria into three email to [email protected]