A crowd of close to 300 braved fierce Santa Ana wind gusts and, for some, Southern California fires to attend the screening, which was held in the brand new Norma Kershaw Auditorium at the Bowers Museum.

    Guests included the local Afghan community, the Bowers Museum Board of Governors and staff, the Orange County Human Relations Commission, and ARO volunteers.  Guests gathered in the stunning Lee Court of the Bowers Museum and sampled “toot”, Afghan mulberry fruit, along with the savory Afghan pastry, bolanee, and naan with fresh Afghan cheese and tea.

Photo below: Omar Akram sings from his new CD, Secret Journey, which made Billboard's New Age Top 20 chart the week before the Bowers Museum event.

 
The screening was arranged by Participant Productions and Paramount Vantage, as part of the public awareness and social action campaign for the film.  Screenings offer an opportunity for those not familiar with Afghanistan to talk with Afghans and aid workers about issues raised in the film.  ARO welcomes the opportunity to educate people about Afghanistan’s history, culture and present-day situation. 

Participant Productions and Paramount Vantage have designated non governmental organization (NGO) partners in a social action campaign to accompany the feature film The Kite Runner, based on Khaled Hosseini’s international best-seller.  ARO was the first NGO partner, and welcomes the opportunity to raise public awareness to aid Afghanistan.

The goal of the social action campaign is to “build upon the work of NGOs… already actively tackling the issues”.  The Kite Runner campaign provides an opportunity to raise awareness and support for educational initiatives both in and outside of Afghanistan.  ARO will use funds raised by the campaign for education programs, teacher training and the construction of ARO’s new school campus, The Little Green City of Hope.

Thank you to Major Donors:  ARO received personal donations as a result of the event and we express our appreciation to Jawad and Nazi Tukhi, and to Bowers Board of Governor Sharon Thompson and her husband, Anthony, for their generosity.  Contributions make a critical difference for ARO’s work and we are grateful for their support! 

The Bowers Museum: ARO also wishes to thank Bowers Museum’s Vice President of Education Linda Kahn and Director of Events Judy Mers, along with the entire Bowers’ staff for their tireless assistance.  ARO appreciates the opportunity to share Afghan culture at the Bowers Museum, a world-class institution dedicated to public education about world civilizations.

Tashakur!  Thank you to those who assisted with the event:

• Bowers Museum President, Board of Governors and Staff – Hosting and event assistance

• Pacific Hills Banquet & Catering – Afghan hospitality and cuisine

• Tangata Restaurant – Pre screening reception

• DJ Mast Omar Bakhtari – Pre screening music
• Omar Akram – Post screening live music
• Roya Khairzada – Floral arrangements
• Homira Koshan - Graphics