Half the world away comes to GCSU

    To understand culture is to experience it. 
     There is a world foreign to many Americans that stretches over 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. 
    The women like to wear perfume before leaving their homes.  Family is the foundation of everyday life and young children are treasured. After welcoming their visitors with coffee, the traveling guests are asked to stop by again sometime. 
    These everyday customs are easy to relate to; they are familiar and exist in our America, our world. 
They tend to be overlooked when it is the Arab world being considered. 
     Fatma Al Maaman, GCSU’s first Arabic professor, hosted “Discover Arab Culture” last Tuesday, Jan. 30, in the GCSU Museum Education Room. 
    “A lot of people don’t know Arab culture.  The things they know are about camels and war.  We are better than this,” Maaman said. 
    The presentation lasted less than an hour, but the dozens in attendance took mental notes on everything from do’s and don’ts of everyday life, to the differences the Arabic calendar has.
    “It was really informative.  There were a lot of things I didn’t know,” senior Amy Sizemore said.   
She came out to the event along with her roommate, Amira Abdulhafid who is also a senior. 
 “I’m half Arab; that’s why I’m here,” Abdulhafid said.
    Around the museum room, heads nodded and feet tapped when Maaman showed clips of different Arab dances.  One of the dances was from her home country of Oman. 
    She showed the different types of Henna ink designs.  Many Americans are familiar with henna, but might not know it is one of the most important traditions Arab women have.  They wear it not only on special occasions but whenever they deem it appropriate. 
    Highlighting the evening was a fashion show of traditional and non-traditional Arab wear. 
Countries represented in the show were Syria, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Egypt. 
    While most of the models sported flowing, wrap-around type garments, the male model from Syria showed the diversity of the Arab culture with his striped golf shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. 
    Abdulhafid, whose father is from Saudi Arabia, enjoyed the fashion show the most. 
    “I’ve worn (the Arab clothing) and it’s comfortable, but it’s too long for me,” Abdulafid said.
    At the close of the presentation, guests were asked to sample Arabic food prepared by Maaman.  The coffee recipe is her mother’s. 
    “It was delicious,” senior India Barfield said.  “I’d definitely say it’s better than Folgers.  It’s more strong.” 
    Before the desserts and fashion show, Maaman’s presentation had a particularly moving part.  She displayed lyrics to the “Arab Dream,” an Arabic song that is sung during times of war.  
    The translated lyrics are simple:  “Peace.  Why do we fight?  We are brothers!  Why can’t we be friends?  I want peace.  It is time for peace.”
    Maaman is at GCSU just for the year.  Her time here has been spent creating an impact on campus by sharing her culture. 
    “I have been working (on the presentation) since December,” Maaman said.  “I’m glad everyone enjoyed it.” 

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 9 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry