By Alex Rake (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: October 22, 2014
UFV now has an official Arab Club, which received its official approval from UFV two weeks ago. Aziz Alfadel, club president, says that the goal of the club is “to strengthen the unity of UFV’s Arab students, then to strengthen [UFV’s relationship with] the global community.”
Alfadel decided to establish the club when he discovered that there are several different Arab communities at UFV, but they do not know each other very well. He noticed that other cultures, including the Indian and Chinese communities, had established clubs at UFV, and observed that a club would be useful for Arab culture as well, since there is an inherent difficulty in unifying Arab communities: “India is one country. China is one country. But in my situation, [the Arab world] is over 20 countries together.”
Alfafel says that another major goal is to accurately represent the Arab community.
“Sometimes the media gives a bad reputation about Arabs,” Alfadel explains. “We are trying to clear that image for Canadian and international students.”
Though Saudi Arabian himself, Alfadel decided against creating a club just for Saudi culture: “Some people ask me, why don’t you do a Saudi Club? But that’s very specific.” He explains that the Saudi community at UFV essentially has a club, since they all already know each other.
The club began to form September 8, and grew quickly. Alfadel says that “at the beginning, [he] thought there would not be many people interested.” Yet the club gathered 45 members within two days of its formation.
The Arab club welcomes all students. “From the name, you would think [the club] is only for Arabs,” Alfadel admits, “but we welcome Arab and non-Arab [alike].” Alfadel also stresses that all religions are welcome, and that it is a misconception that Arabs are exclusively Muslim.
In terms of the club’s potential projects, Alfadel likes the idea of offering Arabic language lessons. He says that they have “received so many requests from people who want to learn Arabic, [but are] still looking for people who could teach it.” He is also considering offering lessons on Arab history.
The club’s first major event, dubbed the “UFV Arab club Opening,” will take place on the Abbotsford campus, and will feature Arabic food, hookah, and bubble soccer.
“We want the UFV campus to be active,” Alfadel says. “I believe [many] UFV students only go to class, then leave the school.” He hopes events like this will give students a reason to stick around.
The club’s opening celebration will take place Wednesday, October 29 at 1 p.m. on the Green, or in the gym if it’s raining. Off-campus events for the group will include paintball and skiing.
Anyone interested in the Arab Club can email them at ufv.ac@hotmail.com, or find them on Facebook.
“We are willing to accept any comments, any feedback, any activities that our members are interested in,” Alfadel says.
