Message from the President (05-18-2012)

Dear members,

Thank you for making the picnic such a smashing success. We all had a good time socializing, eating, relaxing etc..
The great turnout took us a bit by surprise, but there was enough food for everybody, with some leftover, thanks to the generous portions that Algerians bring to a potluck, and to our directors who insisted on getting enough meat for an army. Most of all, grateful thanks to Dahmane from Baguette Republic for the huge amount of bread and sweet rolls, and a humongous strawberry chocolate cake for mothers's day celebration.
The Algerian spiced merguez, beef burgers, and chicken, grilled on charcoal and eaten with Algerian style baguettes transported us back to our country of origin.
The variety of salads and side dishes brought by the members completed this trip to Algeria. Finally, the cake with coffee and mint tea closed this culinary experience, enhanced by so many countrymen getting together in a relaxed atmosphere, having fun, talking about the election results, or about new Algerian singers.

The kids had a blast playing with the toys, playing ball with each other, using the playground facilities, and taking train rides. They loved the barbecued hotdogs and beef burgers, and they later enjoyed the cakes, cookies and ice cream.
The ladies enjoyed their mother's day outdoors, catching up with their Algerian friends while men were gathered around the barbecue, wetting their appetite with the delicious smell of the merguez and spiced burgers on the grill. The weather was really gorgeous, perfect for such an outing.

We would like to thank all the members, new members, and non members who participated to this event with their presence, with their contributions, and with their help, always lending a hand when needed. We hope that the Algerian families who came all the way from Delaware and from North Carolina are motivated enough to create their own local associations. They enjoyed their day with comments such as "Djabtoulna rehet lebled" (you brought us the feeling of being back home).

Finally, I would like to thank the AAAGW board directors who outdid themselves to make sure that everything goes smoothly, and paying particular attention to the ladies to make sure that their mother's day is truly happy.

The pictures of the picnics are on AAAGW's Faceboook page.

We'll see you at our next event inchallah. Stay tuned....

Samia
AAAGW President

On Monday November 12, 2012 the board members of the Algerian American Association of the Greater Washington met with Ambassador Abdullah Baali at the latter’s request to discuss possibilities to cooperate and coordinate events for the benefit of the Algerian community in the Washington Metropolitan area and beyond.

The meeting was proactive and cordial. The discussion covered a series of issues compiled by the board members and brought to the attention of the Ambassador. However, the main theme of the meeting remained focused on the possibilities and opportunities to organize events jointly and to coordinate the efforts of the two entities.

The AAAGW board members, Smail Farid, Dr. Himed Kherbache and Fadhma Izri, on one hand and His Excellency, Ambassador Abdullah Baali on the other, reiterated their commitment to make every effort possible to promote Algerian culture and heritage, for the benefit of the Algerian community but also in an effort bring our rich, diversified and millennial culture and history to the larger U.S. audience.

While long-term projects such as the creation of an Algerian Cultural Center in Washington D.C., remains open for discussion and planning, the two parties agreed upon working together to organize a cultural week (Algerian Cultural Week) around Women’s International Day with movie screening, a possible Fashion Show, a Culinary Event, Art Exhibits and a conference on the life and work of Emir Abdelkader.

In an effort to bring the community’s concerns to the attention of the Ambassador, the AAAGW Board members brought up the question of whether it is possible to open air space for Air Algerie to the United States. Ambassador Baali clarified that this is the embassy’s wish as much as it is the community’s but that such action is subject to the stipulations of Open Skies Agreement required by the United States and which contains some provisions that cannot be met by the Algerian government as they may constitute an infringement on the Algerian laws.

Moreover, both parties agreed in principle on the project of collecting science books and donating them to the National Library in Algeria. The AAAGW members expressed their commitment to tackle the logistical aspect of the project and Ambassador Abdullah Baali expressed his willingness to assist in the administrative process.

In sum, the gist of the meeting was an opportunity for both parties to renew their engagement at the service of the Algerian community in the Washington DC area and across the United States. A channel of communication has been established and goals have been set for a long-term and successful relationship between the Algerian American Association of the Greater Washington and the Embassy of Algeria in the United States.