The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has awarded an Arts Project Grant to support AEP: Visual Crossroads, an initiative led by the Abdelkader Education Project (AEP), a nonprofit promoting global citizenship through education. The project pairs Algerian photographer Fethi Sahraoui and New York-based writer Sarah Goodman to explore the cultural ties between Elkader, Iowa, and its sister city, Mascara, Algeria. Set for 2025, the collaboration will use photography and storytelling to celebrate the enduring legacy of Emir Abdelkader, the 19th-century Algerian leader who inspired Elkader’s founding.
A Transatlantic Bond Forged by History
Elkader, Iowa—population 1,200—is the only U.S. town named after a Muslim leader: Emir Abdelkader, an Algerian hero renowned for defending religious tolerance and resisting colonial oppression. In 1984, Elkader formally partnered with Mascara, Algeria, Abdelkader’s birthplace, creating a sister city relationship that honors his ideals of unity and mutual respect. This bond now serves as the foundation for Visual Crossroads, a project bridging past and present through art.
The Abdelkader Education Project’s Role
Founded in 2009, AEP draws on Emir Abdelkader’s life to foster cultural understanding and counter prejudice through education. The organization’s support for Visual Crossroads aligns with its mission to replace ignorance with dialogue. “Art and storytelling are powerful tools for connection,” says AEP’s team. “This project embodies the Emir’s values by highlighting shared humanity across continents.”
Artists in Focus: Capturing Parallel Lives
- Fethi Sahraoui: The Algerian photographer, known for his work on migration and identity, will document daily life in Mascara and Elkader. His images will juxtapose rural Iowa’s landscapes and traditions with those of northwestern Algeria.
- Sarah Goodman: The writer will craft narratives from interviews with residents, weaving personal stories with historical threads that link the two cities.
“We’re not just comparing places,” Goodman explains. “We’re asking how communities separated by distance can reflect similar values—resilience, hospitality, and pride in their heritage.”
Project Goals: More Than an Exhibition
Visual Crossroads aims to:
- Create Dialogue: A traveling photo exhibit and digital archive will debut in 2025, showcasing the cities’ parallels.
- Engage Communities: Workshops in both cities will invite residents to contribute photos and oral histories.
- Educate: The project will supplement AEP’s existing educational resources, which are used in classrooms worldwide to teach ethical leadership.
Why It Matters
In an era of division, Visual Crossroads offers a hopeful model for cross-cultural collaboration. For Elkader, the project reinforces its unique identity as a small town with global roots. For Mascara, it shines a light on Algeria’s rich history. Together, they demonstrate how art can turn historical connections into living conversations.
Looking Ahead
As Sahraoui and Goodman begin their work, anticipation grows for a project that transcends borders. By celebrating Elkader and Mascara’s shared inspiration—Emir Abdelkader—Visual Crossroads reminds us that understanding begins with curiosity, creativity, and the courage to see ourselves in others.
Funded by Iowa’s Arts Project Grant and fueled by AEP’s educational mission, Visual Crossroads is more than an artistic endeavor—it’s a testament to the enduring power of cultural exchange. Through lenses and narratives, it invites the world to witness how two communities, guided by one leader’s legacy, are writing a story of global kinship.
Learn more about the Abdelkader Education Project’s work at abdelkaderproject.org.
Hope&ChaDia
