This spring, a group of students got together and fulfilled a need that was missing for Arab students at UNCW. The new Arab Student Organization (ASO) seeks to spread Arab community, culture and conversation across campus through gatherings and education. President Abderrahmen Gasmi and Secretary Jad Barahmeh worked through the process of starting the club and are working on outreach and event planning.
As UNCW grows, an increasing number of students may be looking for more inclusive clubs on campus. Barahmeh talked about a growing Arab population on campus, and added that the club is open to anyone who wants to learn more about Arab culture.
“I think encouraging a sense of community is important – I think within every college campus, personally – encouraging a sense of unity among minority groups is really important.”
President Gasmi spoke to his friend Andrew Hannah after realizing that UNCW did not have a cultural club for Arab students: “I reached out to [Hannah], I was like ‘Hey do you wanna maybe start an Arab club?” After deciding to start ASO, the two put together a team to handle the challenges of starting a new club and began planning activities.
One of the club’s first events was a potluck. Barahmeh made Shawarma, a dish he compared to a burrito. “As it says in the name, it’ll be a sandwich with chicken or beef in it, and it’ll have garlic sauce with toppings – and then pickles or fries,” Barahmeh said. Batahmeh mentioned that the club hopes to host future events including henna events and arts and crafts. The club hosts biweekly meetings on Wednesdays for members. Interested members can join the GroupMe for more information.
Gasmi mentioned many possibilities for hopeful future events, including cooking classes, Depka – a traditional Arab dance – and a marathon. Along with social gatherings for club members, Gasmi also emphasized the importance of activism on campus. “[The club] is definitely going to be bringing more diversity to the campus,” Gasmi said. “In my opinion, on this campus, we need a little more activism, we need more social activities.”
Having places to express one’s culture is especially important for minority groups on campus, who may feel that they are lacking safe spaces. Having a shared place is one reason Gasmi thinks this club will be important at UNCW. “That’s the reason I started this club, to be able to express my culture, and you know, my origins a little more — and celebrate them with people like minded people and people who I might share a few things with,” Gasmi said.
ASO’s are popular in other North Carolina public universities, such as NC State and UNC Chapel Hill. Gasmi hopes having an ASO will encourage incoming college students to find a home at UNCW. “I would say future potential Arab students would be more interested in joining if there is an active ASO on campus,” Gasmi said.
Gasmi encourages students, Arab or not, to join the ASO if they are interested in learning more about Arab culture. “If you’re Middle Eastern, or if you’re just interested in the culture, I think that should definitely be a reason [to join],” Barahmeh said. Gasmi followed up by saying, “Join ASO. It’s gonna be real fun and really rewarding.”
To join ASO, join the ASO GroupMe or follow the club on Instagram.
Click here to view the ASO on WaveLink
