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 educate the public and inform the media on issues related to Africa and Asia focusing on the Arab and Islamic worlds. In the same month, she organized a poetry evening with the famous Iraqi poetess, Lamee'a Abbas Amara. The evening was very successful and included Ms. Amara's poetry recited by her in Arabic and by Wafaa' Al-Natheema in English. The event, which included dinner and Arabic music, was well publicized among the various communities and in the media including an article about Ms. Amara in the Patriot Ledger. A month after the poetry evening, Wafaa’ traveled to Paris and London to interview Iraqi composer Naseer Shemma, renowned artist, Hasan Masoudy and Iraqi (woman) architect Jala Makhzoomy.

All the educational projects, cultural events and lecture series between 1995 and 1998 featuring Iraqi musician and composer Naseer Shemma, the Zannobiya Productions and "Cultural Episodes of the East and Africa" can be accessed at Wafaa's Portfolio Site.

1998 was the year in which INEAS's projects and events (Wafaa's accomplishments as well) had the most media exposure locally, regionally and nationally as in the following media outlets:

* The Boston Globe on February 1st.
* The Washington Report on the Middle East in April & May (two articles)
* The Monadnock Ledger (in NH) on July 30th.

These articles can be viewed at our Press Page.

In January 1998, Wafaa returned to work in civil engineering at the major Central Artery/Tunnel Project known as "The Big Dig". She left the project in November of the same year.

Details of Wafaa's engineering and language translation work as well as INEAS musical concerts with Hussein Al-Athamy and the Tchalghi Baghdadi, Farida and the Iraqi Maqam Ensemble, and other projects between 1998 and 2004 can be accessed at Wafaa's portfolio.

In August 2005, Wafaa' produced her first CD of poetry and songs entitled, "Halamanteeshi" which featured her songs at age four collaged with her singing now. She also mixed the beautiful voice of her deceased uncle (who died in 1965) with her own singing. The CD features Iraqi children songs, lullabies and folkloric songs. Nine of the 12 songs have been composed and vocally interpreted by Wafaa'.

About the story of Halamanteeshi as well as information regarding the CD and how to order it, visit our Products page

About the story of Halamanteeshi, you can visit the art blog. To order the CD, visit our Products page

Ms. Al-Natheema participated in the PEACE Festival beyond the DMZ 2005 in South Korea. She negotiated a contract with the Korean organization to promote two Iraqi musicians (living in Jordan) to perform at the Festival. She also gave a performance of poetry and songs on August 26, 2005. A detailed report about the Peace Festival and her visit to S. Korea can be accessed at our Reports page. Few video clips from the Orchestra performance at the festival and at a Buddhist temple visited by Wafaa' can be accessed at our Youtube account.

In June 2006, Wafaa' presented a paper entitled "The History of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra," at the the second World Congress on Middle Eastern Studies in Amman, Jordan. The paper was presented at a panel on Ancient and Modern Middle Eastern and Central Asian Expressive Cultures. Wafaa' video recorded this panel and four other panels in that symposium. Her presentation can be made available on CD. The other four panels are available on DVD from INEAS. In July 2006, Wafaa' started the INSO Blog to document the history of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra (INSO).

In March 2007, Al-Natheema gave two workshops at the Colorado State University on "Pedagogical Comparisons: U.S. & Gulf State Education Systems". More details on the workshop can be accessed at the Colorado State website.

In November 2007, Wafaa' began the editing of the documentary film, "Remembering Aref" from an interview she's done with former Iraqi president, Abdul Rahman Aref in June 2006 in Amman. More interviews were recorded in Amman, Jordan in January 2009 to ensure the completion of this film, which focuses on the life and political accomplishments of the late president. It is scheduled for release in 2009.

In December 2007, Wafaa' traveled to India and interviewed legendary actors (of the 1950s and 1960s) Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. She will be directing a documentary film about their life and career, scheduled for release in 2009.

In July 2008, and as part of her efforts to document the history of Iraq, Ms. Al-Natheema interviewed the last surviving princess of IRAQ, Princess Badee'a, in London for the production of a short film, scheduled for release in 2009.

In February 2009, she gave a presentation about IRAQ's Order 81 at a conference in Delhi, India on organic foods and seeds sponsored by Navdanya organization and hosted by Dr. Vandana Shiva. Wafaa's presentation focused on mutant seeds and the agribusiness in IRAQ by US companies following the occupation in 2003 and on Iraqi farmers' rights and challenges since Order 81 was signed by Paul Bremer on April 26, 2004.

For a List of Presentations & Performances since 1987 click here.