In 1998 Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour (a biologic and medical engineer by training) started the Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem with the philosophy that Dr. Abusrour calls “Beautiful Resistance.”
Emphasizing the importance of the arts in bridging differences among people, the Cultural and Arts Society offers refugees, non-refugees, Christians, Muslims, and basically everyone in the West Bank training, entertainment, fun and connection to their inner selves and others.
They offer theater, dance, movement, trauma support, photography, video, music, women’s workshops, vocational training in hospitality and the culinary arts and more.
They could expand their efforts with help. To find out more, go to the Alrowwad website: www.alrowwad.org or to their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/alrowwadorg/. They are also on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society also has a U.S. group which has 501(3)c non-profit status that can issue letters for tax-deductible contributions. Their address is www.alrowwadusa.org.
