A new student organization aimed at increasing awareness of Arabculture will join the more than 170 student organizations on TheUniversity of Memphis campus this fall.
The Arab Student Association is being welcomed as a replacementto the Palestinian Student Association which faded a few years ago,leaving Arab students without an organization to call their own,those involved said.
"It was sad to see (the PSA) go," said Clair Nunis, ASA adviser,"but you always have other student organizations filling the void-- it happens."
At ASA's first meeting Friday, members will try to fill the voidthe other organization left, said Hussam Elqudsi, president of ASA,by "promoting the Arabic language, heritage and (giving) TheUniversity of Memphis a better understanding of Arab culture."
Elqudsi said he knows it is hard to start a new studentorganization because people expect different things all atonce.
"People are looking for politics," Elqudsi said, which the PSAwas involved in, but the ASA will focus more on getting to knowstudents and building a membership base.
During its first year, ASA will concentrate on social events,such as a movie night or an Arab food festival.
"We will introduce students to our culture," said Suha Gweik,ASA vice president, adding that the organization plans to attractother Arab students who may come from different countries throughtheir common language.
By promoting the Arab language, Elqudsi said The University canbetter understand Arab heritage.
Because the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is ongoing, Elqudsisaid students have a bad idea about Arabs. "It is not about war andterrorism."
The organization plans to change the image many Americans haveof Arab people, Elqudsi said. The ASA will also encourage non-Arabstudents to join.
"There are a lot of associations on campus, but we are differentbecause the Arab population is so small -- we connect with eachother," said Noor Boeibel, ASA social director.
Students interested in learning more about Arab culture areencouraged to attend the first ASA meeting Friday, Boeibel said. Inaddition to recruiting new members, ASA will use its first meetingto draft the organization's constitution. The meeting will be heldat 11:30 a.m. in Brister Hall, Room 220.
