Reaching out through music - Passim's `Arabesque Mondays' aim to increase Westerners' understanding of Arabic culture
By Bob Young

"Arabesque Mondays" at Club Passim were habitual sellouts long before the Western world's post-Sept. 11 fascination with all things Arab.
Now? Make reservations early.
"It's taken on an importance that none of us could have predicted," said local producer Karim Mohammed. "At first it was just out of the enjoyment of music. Now it's almost a cultural statement, a chance for us to assert Arabic culture and keep it vibrant."
For more than two years, "Arabesque Mondays" have been drawing both curious newcomers and longtime fans to Passim for a once-a- month evening of classical and traditional Arabic music.
Mohammed estimates that the crowds are approximately 50 percent Arab and 50 percent non-Arab, with regulars of Brazilian and Iranian descent among the latter group. The artists themselves can be as diverse as the audience; Turkish, Indian, Iranian and Egyptian musicians have collaborated during shows.
Last month's concert featured Moroccan vocalist Jamila Talhi. Tomorrow night marks the U.S. debut of Egyptian violin and oud master Dr. Alfred Gamil, a professor at the Cairo Conservatory of Music. The event holds special significance because it takes place during the Muslim high holiday of Eid, which falls immediately after the conclusion of the month of Ramadan.
Mohammed is in the middle of the action both before and during the monthly events. Born in Egypt, he is an American citizen who moved to the United States in the 1970s. Mohammed not only organizes the concerts, the SHARQ Arabic Music Ensemble he leads often performs. He plays a variety of percussion instruments, including the riqq, an Arabic tambourine.
Mohammed is also an educator who has been spreading the word about Arabic classical music in area schools for years.
"I've made a special push in the last few months, because I really want young people to be exposed to Arabic culture through music, because the arts are outside religion and politics," he said.
"(Music) allows people to see the culture for what it is and also become accustomed to the Arab-American as an integral part of our society.
"`Arabesque Mondays' were created for our community because we didn't have a regular series of classical Arabic music on the East Coast. But it also exposes non-Arabs to the music."
That last point is especially important to Mohammed with the war on terrorism dominating the news. He dismisses the Taliban and their practices, such as banning music, calling them "a blip on the radar, not a mainstream view of Islam whatsoever."
He also looks upon the current focus on the Arab world as an opportunity.
"Music is such a part of Arabic culture," Mohammed said. "I am a Muslim, but Arabic culture contains Christians, Muslim and Jews. Music is a very important part of the Arab world. It defines our culture.
"Religion is variable, but music, along with other arts and language, all define the culture. It's very important for us to maintain that."
"Arabesque Mondays," then, couldn't be more timely.
"There's a lot of interest in Arabic culture in general right now," said Mohammed. "People want to understand and have more information. Music is a piece of information that isn't shared anywhere else."
"Arabesque Mondays" take place at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge, on the third Monday of every month. Dr. Alfred Gamil appears tomorrow at 8 p.m. on a bill with Nilgun Dogrusoz and her Turkish Band. Ticketsare $10. Call 617-492-7679.