As an Arabic teacher at Ohio University, Mariya Chakir has spoken to many students with misinterpretations of her culture.
They ask me
do you have camels? Do you live in a tent? said Chakir, a native of Morocco and graduate student studying linguistics. That's the image the media puts on for them.
Chakir and her fellow members of the Arabic Language Student Association hope to expose students to the culture of Arabic countries during Arabian Night, 6 tomorrow at the Walter Rotunda.
The event will include slide shows about Arabic countries, a fashion show, Middle-Eastern food and dancing, Chakir said.
There will be belly dancing, as well as several performances of the Dabke, a group folk dance popular in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The first performance will be done by members of the ALSA, and the second dance will be open to audience members, said Romy Ghanem, a member of the ALSA an organizer for the event.
Ghanem grew up dancing the Dabke in her native Lebanon at weddings and engagement parties.
It's a group dance you can't do it on your own Ghanem said. It shows solidarity of
people who are dancing. It unites them.
Chakir said she hopes the event will change the stereotypes people have of the Arab world.
It's not just about angry people and terrorists
she said. We have culture
we are happy. We dance.
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Culture
Anna Sudar
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