Hello everyone!!! I have a few topics I wanted to contact you all about. There are a lot of exciting things going on in the Middle Eastern community in Calontir right now!!!

First and foremost, I want to let all of you know that Ysoria, Majnun, and myself (among others) are working to get a bid for a Guild for this year's Lilies. We have decided to call it the Guild of the Silk Road Travelers, in order to include not only Middle Eastern personas, but any people who would have encountered the Silk Road during their travels. In order for us to be successful in this endeavor, we need to have a presence at our official Court presentation of our Guild at Twelfth Night. I'm asking that anyone who will be attending Twelfth Night to bring their zils, drums, and Silk Road garb, and help us make some noise as we walk into court to announce our intentions. Also, spread the word, and tell all of your Middle Eastern (or near or far eastern) friends about Twelfth Night!!! If you have any additional questions about the Silk Road Travelers Guild, please email me or silk_road_travelers@yahoo.com.

Also, as some of you may know, Layla has asked me to help out with the organizing of Middle Eastern activities at this year's Lilies. Thus far, Ysoria and I have planned a Middle Eastern party, to be sponsored by the Barony of Coeur d'Ennui on Wednesday of the war. I will be hosting a "Ladies of the Rose Tea Party" for Queens, Princesses, Duchesses, and Countesses that will include a bit of Middle Eastern food, some Turkish coffee, and a LOT of henna. I would love to hear from anyone who could help with henna-ing some Ladies for this! Also, the Middle Eastern community will be hosting a Crusader Tourney on Wednesday, in order to further advertise our party!

Of course, Middle Eastern activities at Lilies are not complete without classes. Therefore, I would like for any of you who have ideas of classes you would like to teach (or would like others to teach) to please email me. Ysoria and I can then start getting information together and finding teachers for the classes you all actually are interested in taking! We have discussed having classes on personas (differentiating between Arabic, and Turkish, and Persian, and so on), how to make simple period tents, lots of costuming, and even a round table discussion on dance etiquette around the bonfire.

Thanks for all of your help! I will be emailing you all again soon. If you have any questions, please email me!!

Thanks so much,
Rahil al-Sirhaan