Contact: Morgan Turner
310.657.5511

[Los Angeles, September 8, 2010]—Intense scrutiny of plans to build an Islamic center in Manhattan, two blocks away from Ground Zero, have been accompanied by a discourse filled with anti-Islamic and anti-Arab rhetoric--including talk of burning the Qu'ran on September 11, 2010. The rise of these sentiments on the national stage makes the work of the Levantine Cultural Center more relevant than ever.

Since the summer of 2001, the Levantine Cultural Center (LCC)—the first arts center representing the greater Middle East and North Africa in the United States--has presented more than 500 public programs including film screenings, theatre talkbacks, panels, conferences, author events, exhibits, concerts, classes and workshops, emphasizing the importance of cultural diplomacy to heal the kinds of divisions that continue to beleaguer the American people.

That the LCC is the only such center representing the greater Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in L.A. may seem surprising considering Southern California is home to the largest population of Iranians outside Tehran and the second largest Arab population in the nation, along with sizable Armenian and Israeli communities (all told there are over 1 million people of Middle Eastern/North African heritage in the region).

LCC's goal is to foster understanding between the U.S. and the MENA. The LCC presents artistic, educational, and outreach programs addressing ethnic and cultural fears within the U.S. and overseas. The LCC invites Americans to see how filmmakers, artists, writers and performers interpret their identities and conflict in the region, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Israel/Palestine. The LCC has presented many programs on coexistence among Arabs and Jews, and included evenings examining the narratives of Jews from the Arab/Muslim world.

Getting its start during the summer of 2001, the LCC is no stranger to confronting anti-Islamic and anti-Arab sentiment. Being strictly non-partisan and non-sectarian, the LCC envisions the best way to confront these views and misperceptions is through arts and cultural diplomacy. A recent survey found that 47% of the LCC's audience share is of non-Middle Eastern origin.

Among other programs in September and October, the LCC will present Kamran Pasha, the only Muslim member of the Writers Guild of America; a presentation on Arabic calligraphy by Dr. Huda Totonji; outspoken Syrian writer Mohja Kahf; NPR reporter Reese Erlich on his new book Conversations With Terrorists; a special screening of The Infidel with the films stars, Omid Djalili and Richard Schiff; and a new contemporary art exhibition Swimming Down the Nile: An Olfet Agrama Retrospective.

Says Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs says of the LCC: "In a time where people are circumspect of individuals and groups that are not from their backgrounds, the LCC has given a home and a voice to diverse groups of people from the Middle East."

Arab American radio host Casey Kasem comments, "Inspirational public statements are nice, but bringing diverse groups together, physically, into the same tent and letting each experience the arts and traditions of the other is a most civilized way for deconstructing animosities. I thank the Fates for giving us Levantine Cultural Center."

Adds Lebanese Armenian artist Vahé Berberian: "These days, when it seems that the world has gone crazy and we are witnessing the polarization of social, political and religious sides, it is heartening to see an organization like Levantine Center try to create a bond between so many various groups."

The LCC is expanding to reach more people with this message and will continue to do the hard work of cultural diplomacy in this era of fear and anxiety.

Contact Morgan Turner at 310.657.5511 for interviews with the principals.