August 2026 Newsletter
Image from our Arabic Music in the Park event
Dear Alif Community,
I spent this past weekend in Charleston. If you haven't visited this charming historical Southern city yet, I highly recommend it.
Each morning, I began my day by walking the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. It is an impressive feat of engineering, but what stayed with me wasn't just its size or beauty, it was the story behind it. It took nearly 22 years of planning, perseverance, and finding creative funding solutions to make that bridge a reality. It exists today because a group of people believed in a vision and refused to give up.
As I walked across it, I couldn't help but think about Alif Institute.
Our story is no less remarkable. More than two decades ago, a small group of visionaries dreamed of creating a place where Arab culture, language, and heritage could be celebrated, preserved, and shared. That dream became Alif Institute. But it wasn't built by a few people alone. It has flourished because of the unwavering faith, generosity, and dedication of our community over the past twenty years. Together, you have helped put Alif on the map and made it a place that inspires thousands of people every year.
Today, I ask you to help keep that vision alive.
The 19th Atlanta Arab Festival is just around the corner, and we still need your financial support to reach our sponsorship goal. Your contribution helps us continue offering one of the Southeast's largest and best celebrations of Arab culture, bringing our traditions to life for our children, our neighbors, and the broader community while keeping admission free for everyone.
There is a beautiful Arabic saying:
إيد واحدة ما بتصفق - "One hand alone cannot clap."
It reminds us that great things happen when we come together. But one hand can still reach out. One hand can give. One person can make a difference. And when thousands of individual hands join together, they create something extraordinary.
Thank you for believing in Alif Institute and for helping us build bridges between cultures, generations, and communities. We hope you'll stand with us once again and help make this year's Atlanta Arab Festival our best yet.
With gratitude,
Mouna AbdelhamidExecutive Director
Newsletter Sponsors
Thank you, newsletter sponsors! We couldn’t do it without your support!
Events
Get Ready for Fall at Our Arabic Language Open House!
Thinking about learning Arabic this fall? Join us on Saturday, August 8, from 12:00pm–3:00pm for our Arabic Language Open House and discover the program that's right for you.
Whether you're a complete beginner, looking to continue your studies, or searching for Arabic classes for your child, our Open House is the perfect opportunity to explore your options before the semester begins. Meet our instructors, learn about our in-person, online, and children's Arabic programs, and discover the different learning paths we offer. Our team will answer your questions about placement, registration, and course levels, and can even help determine the best class for you through our placement process and proficiency assessment, making it easy to find the course that matches your experience, goals, and schedule.
Whether you're ready to register or simply curious about learning Arabic, we'd love to welcome you and help you take the next step.
Feeling hungry? Join us for our Sahtain wa Hana community lunch (meaning Bon Appétit in Arabic), served from 11:30 AM–2:30 PM. Enjoy a taste of homemade Arab cuisine with Shakrieh, a traditional comfort dish of tender lamb in a rich, velvety yogurt stew served over rice, or our flavorful vegan Musakaa, made with roasted eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and green peppers. Each meal is lovingly prepared by the women of our community and includes a main dish, side, and dessert available for purchase.
Have kids? Bring them to Kan Ya Makan, our free Arabic Storytime, dance, and crafts for children from 1:15pm–2:00pm. Through stories, music, movement, and hands-on activities, children are immersed in the sounds of the Arabic language in a fun, welcoming environment. Whether your family speaks Arabic at home or you're simply looking to introduce your child to a new language and culture, Kan Ya Makan offers a unique opportunity to spark curiosity, build confidence, and foster a love for Arabic from an early age.
The Open House and Kan Ya Makan are free to attend. No registration is required, though an RSVP is appreciated!
Sponsor the 19th Atlanta Arab Festival
Put Your Business in Front of 8,000+ Festival Attendees!
Sponsoring the Atlanta Arab Festival is more than supporting your community event, it's an investment in your brand's visibility. Your brand will connect with thousands of people across multiple platforms, extending your reach far beyond the festival weekend.
How does your Business Sponsorship benefit your brand?
Every sponsor receives valuable recognition throughout our pre-festival marketing campaign:
- Invaluable show of support to your community.
- Valuable exposure to current and future customers before, during, and long after the festival
- Featured social media videos highlighting your business to our growing combined 13,000+ followers
- Recognition on Alif Institute’s website. (sponsor profiles remain visible through the end of the calendar year
- Recognition on Alif’s emailed newsletter reaching 5,000+ subscribers
- Prominent recognition on festival banners and on-site signage.
- The opportunity to connect directly with thousands of festival attendees while demonstrating your commitment to culture, education, and your community
What Does Your Community or Business Sponsorship Support?
“A Free & Accessible Festival to all”
Your sponsorship helps keep the Atlanta Arab Festival free and accessible to everyone while making it possible for us to offer meaningful cultural experiences, including:
- Live performances celebrating Arab music and traditions
- Cultural programming that builds understanding and connection
- Educational exhibits and interactive activities
- Family-friendly experiences for all ages
- Opportunities that bring people of diverse backgrounds together
By becoming a sponsor of the 19th Annual Atlanta Arab Festival, you are not only showcasing your business to thousands of visitors, you are investing in one of Atlanta’s most vibrant cultural celebrations and helping create lasting connections within our community.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors:
BUSINESS SPONSORS
Thank you, Special Business Sponsors!
Golf Cart Shuttles & Stops Sponsor
Stage & Kids' Zone Sponsor
Thank you, Silver Sponsor!
Thank you, Bronze Sponsors!
Thank you, Copper Sponsor!
Thank you, Brass Sponsor!
Ayoub, Mansour & Bryant LLC
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
Thank you, Patron Sponsors!
Dr. Rami and Dr. Rasha Arfoosh
The Hisham and Nawal Araim Foundation
Thank you, Advocate Sponsors!
The Ayoub/ Shuford Family
Elizabeth George & Parag Shah In Memory of Eli George
Thank you, Supporter Sponsors!
Ms. Mouna Abdelhamid
Mr. Tony & Ms. Frances AyoubDr. & Mrs. George Jabren & Family
In Honor of Ms. Farah AldaliIn Memory of Ms. Nadia Ibrahim
Thank you, Friend Sponsors!
Ms. Lamia Mansour & Mr. Mostafa Ammar
In memory of Abdulrahim Turki Ibrahim
Are you a Highschool or College student?
Whether you're preparing for school presentations, college, job interviews, or simply want to become a more confident communicator, Identity-Powered Public Speaking will help you develop the skills to speak with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Led by 2x TEDx speaker Jad-Évangelo Nasser, this engaging five-session course is designed specifically for high school and college students. Through interactive workshops, group activities, and personalized feedback, participants will learn how to organize their ideas, craft compelling speeches, overcome stage fright, and connect with any audience all while exploring their Arab cultural indentity.
Help your student build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and discover the power of sharing their story.
Call to Arab American Artists in Georgia!
Calling all Arab American artists living in Georgia! We are now accepting applications for our upcoming exhibition, Inner Landscapes, opening on November 14. This year's theme invites artists to explore the relationship between memory, place, identity, and the human experience - examining how our surroundings, cultures, and lived experiences shape the way we see the world and express ourselves through art. We look forward to showcasing a diverse collection of works that reflect the unique inner landscapes of Arab American artists.
Programs
August 14
August 20
August 22
August 28
Fall / Winter Session
July Recap
July 29: Arabic Music in the Park
One of the goals of Arabic Music in the Park was to bring Arab music and culture beyond Alif Institute's home in Chamblee and introduce it to new audiences in Johns Creek and North Metro Atlanta. Judging by the enthusiastic turnout, we were thrilled to see so many people eager to discover, experience, and participate in Arabic music and dance.
Stay tuned and keep your eyes open, we may be coming to a city near you soon!
The event also received wonderful media coverage from WABE and CBS Atlanta, helping share our mission with an even wider audience. It was inspiring to watch attendees learn traditional rhythms, try instruments, join the dabkeh line, and connect through music in such a welcoming setting.
If the event sparked your interest, the journey doesn't have to end there! Alif Institute offers ongoing Oud and Derbakeh classes throughout the Fall/Winter semester for students of all levels. We also host individual workshops, including Oud and Derbakeh workshops on August 20, providing a great introduction for anyone curious about learning an instrument before committing to a full semester.
Whether you're looking to try something new or deepen your musical skills, we invite you to join our growing community of Arabic music enthusiasts.
Thank you July volunteers!
Our Library Is Ready for You!
Thanks to the incredible efforts of our volunteers over the past 5 months, our library collection has now been fully cataloged and is ready for the community to enjoy. Whether you're looking for Arabic language resources, literature, children's books, or cultural materials, we invite you to browse, borrow, and donate. Stop by and discover all that our growing library has to offer!
Special thanks to:
Amir, Andrea, Basil, Diala, Malek, Maryam, Salah and Zaid.
More volunteer opportunities coming up!
Help us prepare Alif Institute for a busy fall season! What do you prefer? Gardening? Organising? Or Painting? We're looking for volunteers to help on Saturday August 8 or
Saturday August 15 to:
- Paint the playground
- Spread mulch under the playground
- Organize storage
To volunteer, email us or sign up through our SignUpGenius for the dates and timing!
Community Announcements
Send us your community events and we’ll be happy to post them here!
As a service to the community, we offer this space as a bulletin board to announce events in the community. The following events are not planned, endorsed, or verified by Alif Institute. Please click on the images and reach out directly to the event organizers for more information.
September 12
October 10
English Classes
Our Office Hours:
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 AM - 5 PM, not including other programs and events. You can always reach us via email at info@alifinstitute.org.
Copyright (C) 2026 Alif Institute. All rights reserved.
