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Support Arab arts in the Bay Area by donating to Zawaya

Dear Zawaya Supporter,

On this Arab Mother’s Day, we honor the remarkable women who nurture, uplift, and inspire—women like Nabila Mango, whose legacy lives on through the thriving community she built at Zawaya.

Nabila was more than a founder; she was a mother figure to so many—mentoring, guiding, and empowering generations of Arab Americans. Through Zawaya, she carved out spaces where Arabs could celebrate their heritage with pride, where young people could find a sense of belonging, and where music and art could be the bridge between past and future. She believed that identity is not just inherited but cultivated, and that our culture flourishes when we pass it down with intention and love.

At Zawaya, we continue her vision by preserving and promoting Arab arts through our core programs:

Aswat Ensemble, the Bay Area’s premier Arabic music ensemble, brings together artists of all backgrounds to share the depth and beauty of our musical traditions. Join us on May 17, 2025, at Aragon High School Theater for “Among Cedars and Jasmine: Songs of Lebanon and Syria,” featuring Aswat Youth in a special performance that bridges generations through song.

Aswat Women Ensemble creates space for women in the male-dominated field of Arabic music, providing a platform for artistic expression and collaboration. We invite you to join us on June 28, 2025, for our private garden concert in Menlo Park, “Afrahna: Wedding Songs From Across the Arab World,” celebrating the joyous music that has connected generations.

Aswat Youth ensures that Arab/SWANA children in the diaspora remain connected to their heritage through Arabic music, dance, and cultural education. In a world that often erases our narratives, this program is vital in keeping our traditions alive.

Nabila understood that music is a universal language, one that fosters intercultural solidarity and understanding. In today’s world, where representation and cultural preservation are more important than ever, Zawaya remains steadfast in its mission. But we cannot do it alone.

This Arab Mother’s Day, we ask you to support Zawaya in continuing Nabila’s work. Your donation ensures that Arab arts and culture not only survive but thrive. It provides young people with the tools to embrace their heritage, offers artists a space to create, and fosters a community where we can celebrate who we are with pride.

Please consider making a gift today in honor of Nabila, in honor of the women who shape us, and in honor of the generations to come.

Donate now: https://givebutter.com/b0whmO

Let us continue to gather, sing, and preserve the legacy that Nabila so fiercely protected. Let us honor our mothers by nurturing our culture. Thank you for being part of this journey.

With gratitude,

Bisan Shehadeh (Nabila’s daughter)

Executive Director, Zawaya

Make a tax-deductible donation to Zawaya