The Institute of Near Eastern & African Studies (INEAS) is an independent, tax-exempt, educational and cultural organization with the mission to educate the Arab, African, Middle Eastern and Muslim communities and offer them services, and to educate the American public and inform the media on issues related to Africa and Asia with a focus on the Arab and Islamic worlds and the non-Arab / non-Moslem Communities within the Arab world.

INEAS hosts lecture series, workshops, radio programs and organizes major cultural events such as poetry readings and musical concerts. Arabic Intensive workshops have been offered since 2002. PLEASE visit our "Events" page for more information.

Founding
The official registration of the Institute was in October 1994, which coincided with the Institute's first major poetry event on October 22 . In August 1995, we were approved for tax-exemption status as a 501 (C) (3) organization.

Zannobiya Productions
In 1996, INEAS introduced Zannobiya Productions, its official school enrichment programs for grades 5 through 12, offering residencies, workshops and entertaining and educational performances. The programs educate about Arab Sciences and the arts, Arabic language and calligraphy, Islam and Islamic contributions to civilizations, Eastern and African cultures, Middle Eastern music and cuisine, history and politics of Asia and Africa. For more information about this project, please visit the Archives page on this site, or contact us directly.

Join Ineas
Funding for INEAS has been solely from membership. To Become a member, access our website and click on "Join." INEAS would love to hear from you and is eager to receive your suggestions. Volunteers are needed all year long especially during major events.

Board of Directors

Wafaa' Al-Natheema, Founder and Director
INEAS_1994@yahoo.com
or INEAS@aol.com

Rose Riskalla, Clerk

May Roberts, Secretary
INEAS@aol.com
and filmwriting2004@yahoo.com

Richard Sullivan, Coordinator
RichardSullivan1942@yahoo.com

Advisory Board

Kenneth Raffol, CPA

Linda Gonzalez, Attorney

Wafaa' Al-Natheema came to the USA in January, 1980 to study civil engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. She chose to come to the USA, not because she specifically intended to live in the USA and not because there are no civil engineering colleges in Iraq, but because of certain circumstances and of her ardent belief, since the age of twelve, in being independent and making a living on her own. Ms. Al-Natheema completed her bachelor’s degree in 1986.

To read more about her work experience, education and activities in the 1980s through 1993, please click here.

In September/October 1994, which was a crucial year for Wafaa', she founded the Institute of Near Eastern & African Studies (INEAS), an independent, non-profit organization with the mission to... read more