Join the Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance and Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture for a fun night of beautiful Arabic music and food. Meet refugees from the Chicago area as you taste and hear the cultural heritage of the Middle East. Attendees will also have the opportunity to share tables and conversation with refugees from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and other regions.

Issam Rafea is a Syrian musician, music director and composer, noted for his compositions and performances on the Arabic oud, as former director of the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music and for his collaboration with jazz and world music bands. Since 2013, Rafea has lived in Chicago, touring in the US as well as internationally.

An authentic Middle Eastern dinner will feature rice, chicken and beef kabobs, grilled vegetables and soft drinks and coffee.

This event is co-sponsored by the Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance in Chicago and Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture in Philadelphia.