A Biography

MOSAIC is an organization rooted at the heart of the student organizations and the young Arabs of Canada. Dating back to 1990, the early members of the Arab Student Associations of York University, University of Toronto and other post secondary institutions across Ontario found themselves becoming part of a cultural group that began raising awareness of the Arab Culture among Non-Arab Students on campus and the non-Arab community at large.

After a continuous effort and interest in the goals, objectives and what MOSAIC does, the decision was made by founders Lemme Ibrahim and Bassel El-Jobran to take the group to a different level. Named MOSAIC by its own members, the Mosaic Arabic Folklore Ensemble became fully incorporated in the Province of Ontario on March 23, 2001. The organization now holds Non-Profit Charitable Status.

As Canadians of Arab and non-Arab origin, this group of young men and women hope to bridge the distances of cultures by presenting to their audiences this mosaic of dance, music and folklore from the Arab World. MOSAIC has witnessed many individuals playing key roles in the unified objective of promoting the culture and bridging the distances of such diversities. The richness and the diversity of Arab Culture are represented in this group of young adults, who have joined together in presenting the values of their heritage.

Membership has ranged over the years from high school students, to university students, to graduate and post-graduate students. It has even included professionals, engineers, and even PHD students and Doctors. MOSAIC prides itself on its diversity of membership. currently, MOSAIC has about 20 dancers, 9 band members, musicians and dancers, 6 actors, a full crew compliment of 7, and more than 10 volunteers active in the organization.