Why spend your hard earned money on that $5 cup of coffee when you can get free Arabic coffee and tea this Wednesday, February 18, at 1:30 p.m. in the Heritage room in the commons? This cultural event, organized by the SNU International Center and Saudi students, is aimed towards educating SNU students about the Saudi Arabian culture in a fun and interactive way.
The event will begin with an interactive panel of Saudi students. According to Karen Miller, the organizer of the event, the goal of the panel is for us to learn about the Saudi culture, while the Saudi students learn about the SNU student body.
Attendees will have an opportunity to ask the panel, consisting of three males and one female, questions about Saudi life and culture. Rakan Alajmi, one of the three males on the panel, hopes that they can clarify misconceptions about Saudi Arabia, such as the separation of men and women in the Saudi society.
When asked about how the discussion would address religion, Alajmi stated that “our culture will explain our religion.” Alajmi, along with the other panelists, will be dressing in traditional Saudi clothing.
Miller, who spent 20 years in missions, wants the students of SNU to experience the hospitality that she has experienced with the Saudi culture. Miller says that coffee and tea were chosen because they are staples that are shared with guests when visiting a Saudi house. Upon arrival at a Saudi house, according to Miller, you are escorted to a room with “an immensely laid dessert platter of dates, nuts, cookies, drinks, and they will bring you Arabic coffee or tea.”
The Arabic coffee and tea that will be served is being provided by the students and is authentic to their homeland. Even if you’re a regular coffee drinker, Arabic coffee and tea is different from what we are used to drinking in the United States. The coffee contains spices such as cardamom and cloves, while the tea is like our American sweet tea but is served warm. Like in a traditional Saudi house, the drinks will be served with sweets made from dates.
So, whether you want to try Arabic coffee, ask questions concerning the Saudi culture or simply want to understand our Arabic students better, this event is for you. The event promises fun and fellowship with a few surprises thrown in along the way. If you would like more information on the event you can contact Karen Miller at kmiller@mail.snu.edu.
[author image=”http://echo.snu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_6202.jpg” ]David Peterson, Staff Contributor
David is a self-proclaimed movie snob and social vagabond of the obscure. In his spare time he enjoys referencing books that no one has read and watching movies that no one understands. It is rumored that his beard once poured sugar into the gas tank of Chuck Norris’s car.[/author]
Story by David Peterson.