by: Lisette Walls and Aisha Majdoub
The first ever MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) Club Assembly, set to take place in April, had to be postponed one week, and is now happening on April the 18th. The assembly was originally scheduled to be held Friday April 11, but due to students who are participating in the event from Lowell High School not being able to join on April 11th, the assembly had to be pushed to next week instead.
The delay though wasn’t a big hindrance for the MENA club, as club president, junior Zeina Suleiman said,“ I think the assembly is better postponed because it gives us more time to perfect our performances.” Social vice president, senior, Meriam B., added, “I think its good to have the other school there so switching the dates was necessary for both of us, our collaboration assembly will be beneficial for both clubs, and representing both of our schools.”
The assembly will celebrate and showcase the rich and diverse cultures of the MENA region, something that hasn’t been done at Galileo before.
Originally, the plan was to have a small segment in the school’s annual multicultural assembly, but when the assembly filled up before MENA students were notified, they decided to take matters into their own hands and create a dedicated event.
“We felt like it was important to have our own space to showcase the beauty of our culture,” said junior Zeina S, one of the organizers. “A lot of people associate the Middle East with political conflict and don’t realize how much art, tradition, and history we have. We want to change that perspective.”
The assembly will feature a variety of cultural performances, including traditional dances from Palestine and Lebanon, as well as belly dancing, which originated in Egypt. There will also be a speech and a poem presentation, all aimed at highlighting the richness of Arab heritage beyond the usual narratives people see in the media.
Planning the event was surprisingly smooth, thanks to the support of school administration, particularly Dr. Rogers. “She’s been really accommodating and made it easy for us to secure the space,” said senior Meriam B, another organizer.
Even though there’s a significant number of MENA students at Galileo, some have been hesitant to participate, because they are unsure of how the assembly will be received. “Right now, a lot of people are nervous, but we hope this assembly will help them feel proud of their heritage,” Zeina added.
To make the event even better, the MENA students have partnered with Lowell’s MENA. The Lowell MENA club groups even choreographed a dance for the assembly, which has been a great way to build connections between the schools.
Having the assembly take place in April is culturally significant for many students. Organizers hope it will be both an entertaining and educational experience for everyone. “A lot of people mix up Arab culture with South Asian culture, and this is a great way to show what makes us unique,” one student explained.
With a mix of dance, poetry, and cultural education, the Arab Assembly is shaping up to be a meaningful and exciting event that will hopefully leave a lasting impact on both the school & the community.
