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A-T: What inspired you to cover the movements in the Middle East in the way that you did?

Mashouf: It’s hard to not be inspired by the movements that are happening in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly Tunisia and Egypt. They accomplished something that has not only impacted their own futures but inspired everyone in the region to do the same for themselves.

A-T: Other than paying homage to the movements, what do you want people to get from watching this video?

Mashouf: I want people to walk away from seeing it wanting to contribute to these movements in their own way.  As an artist and a dancer, “Spring Movements” is my most sincere expression of solidarity with the people.

Everyone can help the cause of freedom, even if it is on a small level and to not let our attention span for the people be defined by mainstream media coverage. There is a lot of work to be done in these countries and the least we can do is follow up and contribute.

A-T: How does dance add to the message you’re trying to send out? What was the meaning behind it in “Spring Movements”?

Mashouf: If I was a baker, I would bake bread for the people marching. Movement and dance is universal, I don’t need to speak Arabic to connect with Egyptians through dance and they don’t need to speak English for me to understand what they’re going through.

Just as some people for the past 30 years in the Middle East and North Africa have seen people’s movements as a futile dance against unbeatable odds, I wanted “Spring Movements” to be a comment on the fact that anything is possible.

A child sits with a plate of food that was distributed as part of the holy month of Ramadan, at a refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

-In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful-

Assalamu alaykum (peace be upon you),

You may have heard of the recent event at UC Irvine with Michael Oren, the ambassador of Israel to the US.

While he was invited by a student organization to speak on US-Israeli relations, the UCI Law School and the Political Science Department cosponsored the speech by Oren, a public figure who represents a state that continues to commit more human rights violations than any other country. See the MSU’s statement regarding his presence on campus for more details: msuuci.com

At the event, 11 students who chose to protest by making clear and organized statements were arrested and held in a room until after the event. The school is also currently threatening to punish the students, aiming to send a political message by selective enforcement of university policies.

Contact UCI Chancellor Michael Drake NOW to declare that it is unjust to arrest these students. Supporters of the arrests are contacting administration in large numbers, and your support is needed desperately!

Ask to speak with Chancellor Drake or leave a message at: (949) 824 – 5011 and email him at: chancellor@uci.edu

Speak to the Dean of Students office, who are determining the punishment at: (949) 824-5181 and email them at: deanstu@uci.edu

Here are some important points to bring up:

• · It was unjust to arrest students for simply having the courage to stand up and speak out against a man responsible for propagating the deaths of thousands of innocent people.
• · Civil disobedience has historically played an instrumental role in the civil rights movement in America the eventually ensured equality and human rights for all minorities.
• · Michael Oren is a representative of a state that is condemned by more UN Human Rights Council resolutions than all other countries in the world, and he should not be honored at UC Irvine.
• As concerned community members, we will not support an educational institution that threatens to punish its’ students with suspension and expulsion for standing up for their principles.

Thank you for your support.

Jazakum Allahu khairan.