The event promoted Arab culture and solidarity
By Rivers Stout — campus@theaggie.org
On Oct. 22 from 4 to 7 p.m., Middle East/South Asian Studies (ME/SA) held the first-ever Evening on the Quad festival. The event was organized with the purpose of embracing Arab culture and inter-Arab solidarity. Many organizations participated in the event, including the Lebanese Student Association, Dabket Watan, Students for Justice in Palestine, the Asian American Studies Department and more. Live music, free food and henna tattoos were also featured.
An organizer of the event, who has chosen to remain anonymous, shared the festival’s goals.
“I think a showing [of solidarity] like this on campus show[s] not only Arab students but Arab faculty and staff as well, that we have Arab life here in Davis,” the anonymous organizer said. “We have partnerships not only here in Davis but across our community. These relationships have been years in the making. Something that we aim to do through this event is to get students and community members plugged into Arab life in whatever way they see fit.”
From children to the elderly, people of all ages attended the event. Faculty also participated, both in hosting booths and enjoying the evening.
The anonymous organizer elaborated on the purpose of the event.
“It’s the beginning of the school year, so part of the event is kind of an orientation for Arab students to see themselves on campus and make themselves known,” the organizer said. “That’s something that people are looking to be involved in, [to] cherish the Arab community and the Arab people. [It’s also] about cultivating our identity not just culturally but also academically.”
Amani, a first-year political science major, shared her experience as a Palestinian attendee.
“It’s really nice to feel like there’s a community around you,” Amani said. “I hope [the event] becomes annual.”
The aforementioned organizer expanded on the overall impact of the event.
“I would love to continue highlighting and showcasing Arab life, whether it looks like this or not,” the organizer said. “I think it is a priority that we show our community that we’re here and that we’re going to continue to serve [them] in whatever way [they] want [by] being responsive and attentive to the needs of our community beyond tonight.”
Many community members came out to participate throughout the night and enjoy the various live music performances.
Abdullah Haitham, a third-year computer science major and the president of UC Davis Iraqi Student Union (ISU), spoke on the ISU’s role in the event.
“Today we’re part of the Arab Involvement Fair and we’re tabling to spread the word about our club,” Haitham said. “I founded [the club] a few months ago, so we’ve officially been around for about three months. We had our first event a month and a half ago, and it was a great success.”
Haitham then talked about the community support the ISU has generated.
“It was too much support,” Haitham said. “It’s been great, it’s been so good. All of the clubs here at Davis have shown their respect and admiration for us, they’ve supported us even though we just started. We posted our stories, they’ve given us words of admiration, they’ve been such great people, and we have nothing but love for them.”
The festival served as a way for the ISU and other clubs to promote themselves but also for members to mingle and meet each other for possibly the first time in person.
“We’re hoping to connect all cultures of all backgrounds because Iraq is a melting pot of all cultures, religions, ethnicities — just like the U.S. in some aspects,” Haitham said. “We want to connect people through our ideals and beliefs.”
Haitham continued by sharing how welcome he felt by students and faculty on campus.
“There is really no difference in the treatment of how I am because of where I’m from in Davis, it’s very inclusive, and I’m proud to say it’s one of Davis’ great strengths,” Haitham said. “Student life as an Arab here is great.”
The anonymous organizer said that the event was exceptionally successful in that it brought many different people together.
“People are interacting with folks they otherwise wouldn’t, and talking to them about what it is they do on campus or here in Davis,” the organizer said. “I’m really happy with the turnout; to me this is a huge success. Stepping away from the event, I hear the Tabla playing — which is an instrument that is common in our music. If a student is walking by and hears it, I hope it’s enticing to come by and participate in the event. For me it’s really meaningful, I will never not get excited when something like this happens.”
Written by: Rivers Stout — campus@theaggie.org
