When it comes to extracurriculars, Elizabethtown College has no shortage of clubs for students to get involved in. Whether it’s to develop a new skill, gain job experience, stay active or find community, there are many clubs on campus which tailor to a variety of student interests. One example is the Middle Eastern Culture Club (MECC), a relatively new club on campus dedicated to engaging with the culture and history of the region.
Current officers of the club include junior Anfal Al-Hussaini (President), senior Aryana Alidjani (Vice President), first-year Sarah Abadi (Treasurer) and sophomore Cezanne Hoag (Secretary). The club’s advisor is professor of international business Dr. Hossein Varamini. All the cabinet members and many members of the club are Middle Eastern, from countries such as Iraq, Iran, Morocco, Palestine and Turkey. However, the club is open to students of all backgrounds with an interest in learning more about and celebrating Middle Eastern culture.
Al-Hussaini said, “I started the Middle Eastern Culture Club during the end of the spring semester of 2022, when I was a sophomore….I had no plan to start the club my second year, until I was walking to my class one day and was stopped by an Egyptian student that asked me if I spoke Arabic. After that encounter, I knew I had to start it.”
The aim of MECC is to expose students to the various cultures of the Middle East, welcoming students of all backgrounds. In fact, the club encourages students of any background who have an interest in or curiosity about the Middle East to join—they host many events related to culture, food and history which are a great way for students to learn more about Middle Eastern culture.
When asked about starting the club, Al-Hussaini remarked, “It was important to me not to revolve the club around a certain religion, but rather the culture of the Middle East, which is how the name Middle Eastern Culture started. It was honestly really tough to start, to even find people interested in being a part of the cabinet, but, luckily, I met Aryana and Zulma who were such great help in starting the club, and I really wouldn’t have done it without them, so I am very, very grateful for them.”
For both the cabinet members and their advisor, beginning a Middle Eastern Culture club on campus was incredibly important to them. Varamini said, “We know that the Middle East is often in the news, but it is usually negative news from these countries. We felt that sometimes there is negative perception about the Middle East while there are positive issues that are not fully reflected in the media. We want to create more exposure (or awareness) about the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for Etown students.”
Although the club does not hold regular meetings, they have held plenty of events to celebrate Middle Eastern cultures. The club created a homecoming float themed around the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They sold baklava at the homecoming fair, and served Middle Eastern drinks with zaatar-seasoned popcorn during a showing of the 1992 movie “Aladdin.” Most recently, the club paired with the Chaplain’s Office to hold a vigil for Turkey and Syria in the wake of the destructive earthquake which hit on Feb. 6. Many students donated to the cause, and the club provided Arabian chai at the conclusion of the vigil to bring people together at the end of the event. In addition, the club attends New Student Orientations and Club Fairs when they are able in order to recruit new members.
As Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer for Muslims, approaches, the club is looking to hold several events in recognition. Eating iftar (a post-sunset meal), making decorations and celebrating Eid are some of these future plans. The club invites any interested student to try this month of fasting, even for a day! In addition, the club has more plans for cooking Middle Eastern dishes and making traditional jewelry and decorations. Another partnership with the Chaplain’s Office is currently underway in an effort to bring bidets to bathrooms on campus—an important aspect of Middle Eastern culture and overall hygiene. On April 14, the club will be advertising during the Social Justice Fair in the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being.
For more information on upcoming events, students can email mecc@etown.edu to be added to the club’s mailing list. They may also follow the club on Instagram (@meccetown) for updates on past and future events!
