Poetry Workshop

Art & Culture at Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC) and Ziya Art Center cordially Invites You to the

Amir Sulaiman’s Poetry Workshop

I&I: Poetry, Identity and Spirituality

Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Spend a day with Amir Sulaiman, Visiting Harvard Fellow, Def Poet, author & performer, while he explores how identity and perception impact the creative process. This workshop is not just for writers and artists but for everyone interested in exploring the spirituality of creativity. Participants will come away with a newly inspired vision about their artistic life.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY: Amir's new poetry book, "Love, Gnosis & Other Suicide Attempts" will be for sale at the event, and he will be available to personally sign your copy at the workshop.MORE ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Amir Sulaiman is a poet, recording artist, activist and newly appointed Harvard Fellow, born in Rochester, New York. His poems cross subjects of love, tragedy as well as what it means to reconcile humanity with the unprecedented trials of modernity. He has performed his works across the US as well as many other countries including England, Belgium, Senegal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Australia, Iran and the Netherlands, and continues to tour world-wide. His recently published book of poetry, "Love, Gnosis & Other Suicide Attempts" met with critical acclaim, in addition to his latest album "The Opening," the third in a unique trilogy project, following "The Meccan Openings" (2011) and "The Medinan Openings" (2012). Amir was first introduced to a National audience in 2005 when he was featured for two seasons on Russell Simmons' groundbreaking series Def Poetry Jam on HBO.

MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: Amir Sulaiman's poems in "Love, Gnosis & Other Suicide Attempts" are simultaneously spiritual and sensual; threatening and vulnerable. Sulaiman's voice is between a flood and a firestorm. In the spirit of Rumi and Attar, his poems engage sensuality with a kind of religious devotion and engage religious devotion with sensuous fervor. He exposes the reader to the pleasure found in suffering; the ecstasy found in brokenness. "Love, Gnosis & Other Suicide Attempts" is often frighteningly gorgeous; other times humbly surrendering, but always honest.

This event is in English, open to the public, and take place in ICCNC’s historical and welcoming space near Oakland’s Lake Merritt at: 1433 Madison St., Oakland, CA 94612
Limited free parking is available on site; The Center is near the 12th St. BART station.
For more details please visit www.ziyaart.com or visit the “Art & Culture” tab at www.iccnc.org
Registration fee is varied; to register online and get the Early Bird discount by Oct. 15, please check: http://amirsulaiman.brownpapertickets.com
Doors open at 9am. Workshop begins promptly at 10am. On-site registration will be available from 9am-9:45am if space is still available. Seating is first-come, first-served.