THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 12, 2024 Page 13 First Moroccan art gallery opens in Mass. By Tara Vocino T he first Moroccan art gallery in Massachusetts opened at 350 Main St. last Friday night. It will be open until March 1 in the Cambridge Health Alliance building. Nouha Ouahid sang the Moroccan National Anthem. Souad Belcaid held up calligraphy in Arabic. Morocco Consul General Abdelkader Jamoussi and Mayor Gary Christenson each received a certificate of appreciation. Morocco Consul General Abdelkader Jamoussi thanked Rachid Moukhabir, of Revere, for welcoming him to this area. Mayor Gary Christenson with Morocco Consul General Abdelkader Jamoussi holds the “Instructions from the Town of Malden, Massachusetts, for a Declaration of Independence: May 27, 1776.” Morocco was the first country to open its ports to American ships. Shown from left to right: Je’taime Valentine – with Mayor Gary Christenson – and Waïna Coles wore traditional Moroccan dress. Mayor Gary Christenson is excited about having the first Moroccan art gallery in the state in Malden. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Artist Salwa Gardaf (at left) and Malden High School student Farris Qranfal read a poem: “Goodbye, homeland.” Alia and Ahmed Zellagui (far right), Nazha Drissi (second from left) and Nezha Bahlouli Abdeen (seventh from left) joined in. A round of applause, including from Councillor-at-Large Karen Colón-Hayes (left) Assia Sbenelmokaddem (at left) applied henna on Kristine Acevedo. Brandon Li showcased a video: “Morocco Arise.” Shown from left to right: Yassine Sawli, Yassmine Lamyaa, Yassmine Amine, American Association for Arab Women (AAAW) Founder/Executive Director Souad Akib, Salwa Gardaf, Sabrina Qranfal, AAAW Board Member Habiba Idrissi and AAAW Treasurer Mourad Afani; kneeling: Chakib Qranfal and Farris Qranfal. American Association for Arab Women Founder/Executive Director Souad Akib said it’s the first Moroccan art gallery in the state. The goal is to have it mobile. Tyra Prepetit loved the color of this piece – “Young girl of Ida Ougnidif.” Sabrina Qranfal sang the United States National Anthem.
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