Jalasat: Afkar 01
Afkar (Arabic for “ideas”) is a Jalasat series that brings research and ideas into public spaces, making them accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyday audiences.
For its first edition, we bring together two presentations exploring the intersections of place, history, culture, and identity. From the politics of land and urban transformation in Detroit and Palestine to the musical traditions of Iraq, these conversations invite us to look more closely at the histories, systems, and cultural practices that shape the worlds we inhabit.
Presentation 01 — Abraham Alzoubi
Palestine + Detroit, Contested Spaces: Land Struggle and Commoning
What connects the transformation of Detroit’s neighborhoods to the struggles over land in Palestine? This presentation examines how land, property, and ownership shape racial boundaries and patterns of urban development. Drawing connections between Palestine and Detroit, it explores how Black neighborhoods on Detroit’s periphery relate to the emergence of new urban centers, and how struggles over land reveal deeper questions about power, displacement, belonging, and who gets to shape the future of a city.
Presentation 02 — Khaled Gomar
The Musical History of Iraqi Maqam and the Traditional Quintet
An exploration of Iraqi Maqam, one of Iraq’s distinctive musical traditions, tracing its historical and cultural significance and introducing the traditional quintet that accompanies its performance. Through music and history, this presentation offers a window into a rich musical heritage and the traditions that have carried it across generations.
Afkar brings research beyond the walls of academia and into the places where people gather. No academic background required—just curiosity, an open mind, and a willingness to engage.
A room for ideas. A gathering for curious minds.
ABOUT JALASAT
Jalasat is a cultural house without walls, creating spaces for art, cultural experiences, and connection wherever people gather. Rooted in the belief that culture thrives when we come together, Jalasat brings people, ideas, and creative expression into shared spaces throughout our community.
Home is wherever we gather.