The Senan Shaibani Marsh Arabs Project
In Partnership with the Arab American Educational Foundation
and Iraqi Community Groups
With the generous support of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and hosted by Rice University
We gratefully acknowledge additional support from Aramco, The City of Houston through the Office of Cultural Affairs and Office of International Tourism, the Khudari Group, and Noble Texas Builders and are grateful for the support of the Arab American Cultural & Community Center in Houston, the Arab Immersion Magnet School, Baker Botts, , Quan Law Group,
Made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas
About Senan Shaibani
Senan Shaibani was born on May 20, 1994, and throughout his life, he demonstrated a remarkable dedication to the Arab and Iraqi communities, driven by his love for Iraqi culture and pride in his heritage. His passion for justice and desire to uplift Arab and Iraqi people led him on a journey from the bustling streets of Houston and Austin to the heartlands of Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. During his time in Iraq, he immersed himself in its rich history, diligently gathering records from libraries that documented modern Iraqi political and cultural history.
Senan's advocacy extended far beyond borders, as he fearlessly championed the rights and cultural heritage of Arabs and Iraqis in various communities. His efforts resonated deeply with those who had the privilege of knowing him, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.
In addition to his commitment to activism and cultural preservation, Senan was also a highly educated individual. He earned a bachelors degree in Middle Eastern History from the University of Texas, which ignited his fascination with the region's rich past. Building on this foundation, he pursued further studies and obtained a masters in history at the University of Houston. Senan's intellectual pursuits extended beyond the United States, as he spent valuable time studying Middle Eastern History at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. Furthermore, he was on the verge of completing his Law degree at the University of Houston Law Center before his untimely passing on March 16, 2023
As the mudhif took shape, Senan's legacy is woven into its very foundations, symbolizing the preservation of the Iraqi heritage he held dear to his heart. This cultural project will stand as a testament to the power of activism and the celebration and preservation of age-old traditions.
The Mudhif Project stands as a tribute to Senan's life's work—a beacon of hope, justice, and the celebration of culture. As we welcome visitors to this cultural center during the Fall of 2023, we will forever remember Senan Shaibani, the man who carried the joy of Iraqi sensibility and culture within him, and who championed the rights and dignity of his people.
The Story of the Mudhif
Join us for the final event of the Marsh Arabs Project celebrating the release and screening of a documentary capturing the construction of a mudhif on the grounds of Rice University, and the events that took place surrounding this important project.
The filmmaker, Eli Johns-Krull, will be present to talk about the project that took place from June–December 2023. This was the first time that a mudhif, using authentic materials from the marshes of Iraq, was created in America.
We are grateful for all of the sponsors and volunteers who were part of this monumental undertaking.
Saturday, December 21 , 2024
2pm-4pm
United Way of Greater Houston
50 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX 77007
POETRY & MUSIC Gilgamesh, an Ancient Voice
Discover the world’s first story and learn about a hero who searched for the secret of immortality at a mini-marathon reading of Gilgamesh. Copies of the book will be available for sale for you to follow along as people from all walks of life in Houston participate in relating a story as relevant to humanity today as when it emerged from the Marshes over 5,000 years ago.
Then, join us as we bid goodbye to the mudhif. On its last night in Houston, we will sing a lament and extinguish the lights that have illuminated it since we opened it to the public in September.
FREE ADMISSION
Glasscock School Auditorium, Rice University
Paid Parking, Lot #4
Follow the signs
FAMILY DAY Meet Me at the Mudhif
Following the concert, free hands-on activities introduce your family to the ancient culture of the Marshes.
The Mudhif, hosted at Rice University
Entrance #8 off of Stockton at University
CULTURAL EVENT Traditional Music Concert
Bring a picnic and a blanket. Enjoy music from Iraq and the Arab world at a free concert in front of the Mudhif, a replica of a 5,000-year-old guest house made entirely of reeds from the Iraqi Marshes and representing one of the oldest continuous architectural traditions in the world. Performances will feature a traditional Iraqi Hosa, a participatory darbuka drum circle, traditional Arabic instruments accompanying a Chobi dance, and electronic dance music from contemporary Arab artists. Come ready for a family-friendly afternoon with instruments available for audience participation.
FEATURED PERFORMERS
Hosa created by Mohanned Neamah
Children’s Ensemble from Arabic Immersion Magnet School
Darbuka Drum Circle “Arabic Rhythmic Journey” - featuring percussionists led by Duke Hunter
Zubair - performing on traditional instruments including the oud
DJ omniria - contemporary pan-Arab electronic dance music
FREE
The Mudhif, hosted on the campus of Rice University
Entrance #8 at Stockton and University Blvd.
OPEN HOUSE at the Mudhif
If you’ve been wondering about the arched building you’ve seen at Rice University, now is your opportunity to tour the place and enjoy some traditional Iraqi hospitality! Meet us at an open house, learn about the ancient culture that helped create Western Civilization and admire the skill of builders who managed to create a mudhif from the Marsh of Iraq and transplant it to Houston to be assembled here!
The Mudhif
Entrance #18 at Stockton and University
Rice University Campus.
Courtesy of Gail Peterkin
CULINARY ADVENTURE An Ancient Meal
Feast like an ancient Sumerian! Chefs from Bite of Hope and the Iraqi community, with advice from the archaeologist Dr. Zaid Alrawi, replicate a meal from a 5,000-year-old tavern discovered at excavations in Iraq last summer.
An exciting feature of the evening is a creation of a 5,000-year-old Ninkasi-type beer brewed up by the talented team of Randy Daily and the Bay Area Mashtronauts, especially for the evening. You won’t want to miss this opportunity for a unique sip of history and a bite of ancient world delights!
$65 per person. Limited to 60 diners.
Traditional Concert
The concert originally scheduled for October 27 is moved to Sunday, Nov. 19 from 1pm - 3:30 pm and is sharing space with the Family Day whose events will take place beginning at 4pm.
FAMILY DAY Meet Me at the Mudhif
Join us to celebrate International Archaeology Day with activities focused on the Iraqi Marshes in a series of free hands-on activities that introduce your family to the ancient culture of the Marshes.
The Mudhif, hosted at Rice University
Entrance #8 off of Stockton and University Blvd.
OPEN HOUSE at the Mudhif
If you’ve been wondering about the arched building you’ve seen at Rice University, now is your opportunity to tour the place and enjoy some traditional Iraqi hospitality! Meet us at an open house, learn about the ancient culture that helped create Western Civilization and admire the skill of builders who managed to create a mudhif from the Marshes of Iraq and transplant it to Houston to be assembled here!
The Mudhif
Entrance #18 at Stockton and University
Rice University Campus.
Courtesy of Gail Peterkin
TALK An Oasis of Biodiversity in the Marshes of Iraq and the Gulf Coast
Dr. Azzam Alwash, Nature Iraq
Suzanne Simpson, Galveston Bay Foundation
Mashal Awais, Bayou City Waterkeeper
Jaime Gonzalez, The Nature Conservancy in Texas, Moderator
The fate of wetlands will be crucial in a changing world. Biodiversity in the Marshes of Iraq as well as the marshes of the Gulf Coast of America is threatened. Where do we go from here? What are some answers to complex problems we are facing, as a culture and as communities? Discover some of the solutions being proposed to help both regions of the world at a talk and panel discussion by experts from Iraq and the Gulf Coast.
Glasscock Auditorium
Entrance #8, Rice University and Stockton
FREE ADMISSION
Parking: Lot #4. Follow Signs
Image on the left: sea grasses and shell midden in Galveston Bay. Image on the right: The Mesopotamian Marshes, Ahwar of southern Iraq, Unesco site, Iraq.
TALK The World's Oldest Tavern
Dr. Zaid Al Rawi, Landscape Archaeologist Southern Mesopotamia Projects Manager, University of Pennsylvania
Eating out seems to have been as popular 5,000 years ago as it is today! Archaeologists working in the fall of 2022 in the ancient city of Lagash, in what was once the marshes of Iraq, discovered one of the world’s first taverns! Everything for a delightful meal was available: a room containing benches for comfort, an industrial-size oven which certainly churned out delicious delicacies, a large grill still holding a fish, and even a 5,000-year-old fridge!
Hear the story and learn more about what was on the menu from Dr. Zaid Alrawi, Mesopotamian archaeologist and the Lagash archaeological project’s manager.
Lynn Wyatt Theater, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
FREE ADMISION with reserved tickets
FREE PARKING after 5pm. Take ticket to enter and use the same ticket to exit at no charge.
Courtesy the University of Pennsylvania
FILM Miracle in the Marshes of Iraq
Azzam Alwash, Founder of Nature Iraq and star of “Miracle in the Marshes”
It's the largest and most ambitious habitat re-creation project ever known: to bring back to life one of the world's greatest marshlands. In the 1990s, Saddam Hussein drained the gigantic wetlands of Iraq and turned them into a desert, destroying a home to thousands of people and millions of birds. The BBC follows the work of Azzam Alwash, the visionary Iraqi engineer and CEO of Nature Iraq who will be present to introduce the film and give an update on current efforts of marsh preservation.
Lynn Wyatt Theater, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
FREE ADMISION with reserved tickets.
Nature Iraq
GRAND OPENING of Mudhif
A morning of fun and celebration for the whole family awaits
We are proud to announce the completion of our mudhif and the launch of the
Senan Shaibani Marsh Arabs Project
Join Archaeology Now and the Arab-American Educational Foundation to celebrate 5,000 years of history—from the Iraqi Marshes to the marshes of the Gulf Coast of America—as we formally open our newly completed mudhif, a copy of an ancient reed guest house, used in the marshes of Iraq.
This structure was created in components by master builders in Iraq and shipped to Houston where we assembled the pieces on the campus of Rice University. It is the first time this has ever been done in the United States and it is having a pivotal impact on preserving traditional building techniques and knowledge in danger of disappearing forever!
We are proud to showcase the work of volunteers from many communities in Houston whose muscle and dedication helped to create this unique structure made from authentic materials using traditional methods.
Four months of entertaining and educational programs, all centered around the mudhif, await you this fall!
TOUR a replica of an ancient structure.
SAMPLE traditional food.
CREATE art with your family.
JOIN in song and dance.
FREE ADMISSION
Saturday, September 9, 2023. 10am – 1pm
Rice University, Entrance #8 at University and Stockton Streets
Paid Parking is available at West Lot 5.
Courtesy of Gail Peterkin
Film | Miracle in the Marshes
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Talk | The Marsh Arab Story: Ancient Cultures, Modern Lives
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.