Rockford University, Almoka Coffee House host art show for Arab-American Heritage Month

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford University is partnering with Almoka Coffee House to celebrate Arab-American Heritage Month and Arab culture.

Seventeen artworks are on display at the coffee house, located at 753 Highgrove Place.

Customers are encouraged to vote for their favorite, with the top three winners to receive prizes.

The event is the first of its kind in Rockford, organized by the Rockford Arab Chamber of Commerce, which plans to host an Arab Heritage Festival on April 26th, at 2510 S. Alpine Road, with food trucks, dancing, and live music.

Almoka has only been open since February, but barista Amina Hussein said staff are already feeling the impact the cafe is having on the community.

“To have it here in your own city, and not have to drive far for it, that makes life worth living,” Hussein said. “Because for Arab’s, a lot of them, especially families, they don’t have a place where they can just come in and stay there for later hours. And we’re people who love to sip on our tea and our coffee in the middle of the night. So it gives you a sense of companionship.”

Voting in the art competition closes at 10 p.m. on Wednesday.