About Us

Purpose

The purpose of the Arabian Oasis is to be a “safe place” bridging the cultural differences between people from the “West” and those from the Arab world and to establish a platform that fosters mutual understanding and permits relationships to develop across culturally and religiously diverse backgrounds. As a cultural center, the Arabian Oasis exists to serve the Arabic-speaking community in Tucson while also benefiting the entire Tucson community by facilitating activities that promote shared experiences, constructive dialogue and relationships between Arabs and Americans of all walks of life, thereby effectively counteracting the tendency to make our differences a source of friction and hostility.

About the Director

Magdy Behman is a native of Egypt who has lived and taught in various Middle Eastern countries. He holds a Masters of Arts in Intercultural Studies and has taught Arabic language for Pima Community College in Tucson. Currently, he is working toward a PhD in Social Anthropology. Since 2004, he has served as the Executive Director of The Arabian Oasis, a 501(c) (3) non-profit secular cultural center.

Articles

Az Daily Star 3-19-2006
Americans are divided after three years at war