Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Borowski, Jaclyn

Most words said aren't in English, the sitar is a major instrument in the blaring pop music, and the buffet is stocked with everything from baba ghanoush to fattouche - it must be Arabian Nite.

Arabian Nite 2008, put together by the Organization of Arab Students, drew more than 300 people to the Stamp Student Union's Grand Ballroom on Saturday. For students and their families, the event - which showcased Arab music, food and dance, skits and an after-party - was an exercise in bringing together different parts of both the campus community and the Arab world.

A major objective of the show was encouraging pride among Arab students, organizers said. The names of Middle Eastern and African countries were called out throughout the night to the stomping of feet, cheers and whistles from different sections of the audience.

"It's cool - all the Arab students here, and most people speaking the same language," said Nasser Al-Zeyara, a language student from Qatar. "I feel like I'm with family."

The night began with a short student-produced film, How I Found the OAS. The movie's three main characters awkwardly stumbled through the black, Persian and Latino student groups before being lured by Arabic pop music into a room full of OAS members.

Next up was Superstar, American Idol's near-East equivalent. Three judges lambasted performances of popular Saudi music and a duet performance of "A Whole New World," complete with an Aladdin backdrop.

"You sound like a dying camel," one judge said after a singer left the stage.

But the final contestant, senior music major Lena Seikaly, elicited cheers, whistles and cries of "More, more, more!" after her performance.

"My name is Lena," began the singer in Arabic. Her next statement, "I'm from Palestine," drew thunderous applause.

The night continued along the theatric bent with a skit written by group president Reem Dughly, a junior biology major. The performance's plot revolved around a 21-year-old meeting a series of unappealing suitors, such as a heavily mustached physician/engineer named Dr. Mahmoud and the street-smart, gold chain-sporting Mustafa, who confused and angered the girl's parents with his excessive jive talk and nickname ("Mo").

Though the play garnered laughs from Arab students, some parts of it - performed alternately in Arabic and English - weren't a slam dunk with everyone.

"I'm not Arab, so I didn't get all of the jokes," said sophomore government and politics major Ellen Morrissey, expressing a sentiment her friends echoed. "But I had a great time, anyway."

Dughly said a major goal of the event was "introducing the campus to the Arab community," but one of the difficulties with planning the night is figuring out how to "cater to both [Arab and American] audiences," said Sara Hegazi, director of advertising for the OAS.

"We try to cater to our American audience, to show that Arabs can be fun," she said.

Arabian Nite 2008 closed with an Arabian guitar medley, followed by a much-anticipated Debkah traditional folk dance.

All parts of the night - from the food to the entertainment - were enjoyable and informative, students said.

"It pulls College Park together as the melting pot it should be," said sophomore engineering major Jeffry Temblin. "I'm the biggest fan of tabouleh."

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