At the square right next to Tommy Trojan, more than a hundred people gathered to celebrate the beginning of Arab American Heritage Month. The opening ceremony featured performances, traditional food, and remarks from distinguished members of the Arab community. As the infectious music played, dancers invited the audience to join in on the celebrations.
Arab American Heritage Month is a chance for this community to enjoy and share their culture. MENASA, the Middle Eastern North African Student Assembly organized today’s event. They invited local Arab American vendors and performers to liven things up.
Nourmyra Geha an international relations student who co-founded MENASA highlighted the importance of the festivities.
Nourmyra Geha: It’s such a nice opportunity to show people that there is so much more than what they already know about Arabs, show them our culture, show them the love and the traditions that we have, and show them that we love to share it with the world.
With the ongoing war in Gaza this can be a difficult time for the Arab community, they face threats and discrimination. But Arab American Heritage Month is an opportunity for them to showcase their culture with pride and without fear.
Isra Marnini, a speaker at the event, described her difficulties facing discrimination.
Isra Marnini: Today, like many of you. I find myself struggling to figure out how to respond to the increase violence and discrimination against Arabs both here in the US and abroad. But what I have learned from my own experience is that you must always be true to yourself.
National Arab American Heritage Month began in 2017. At that time, only a few states recognized it. Now, Congress, the U.S. State Department, and 45 state governors have issued proclamations commemorating the initiative. All throughout April, USC will host cultural events like art exhibitions, literature discussions, and student gatherings to celebrate Arab American Heritage.