Seton Hall’s Middle Eastern and North African Club hosted its first “Rep Your Flag” night on Thursday, Sep. 19 with co-sponsorships from the Palestinian Student Association, African Student Association, Albanian Student Association, Sociology Club, and Unidos Bailamos.
Kevin Shadid, a senior diplomacy and international relations major, said that National Pride is the biggest thing when it comes to the purpose of “Rep Your Flag” night.
“Rep Your Flag” night celebrated the rich diversity and cultural heritage of the Middle East and North African communities. Students proudly waved flags and wore traditional clothing from countries all over the Middle East and North Africa. The event was filled with music, dancing, and food, offering everyone a chance to experience the unique flavors and sounds of the Middle East and North Africa region.
The event was open to all students. Attendees came from different backgrounds, ages, and majors. Ryan McCoy, a junior finance major, said he was walking around the University Center when he saw people entering the event room. He said he decided to go in with his friends.
“I was able to meet people from different cultures and we talked about music, shared experiences, and it was cool to get to know new people,” McCoy said.
“Rep Your Flag” night was also a testament to MENAC’s core values of diversity and inclusion. Madelyn Yanni, a junior political science and philosophy major and MENAC’s co-event coordinator, said that events supporting diversity are significant to her because she gets to represent her background.
“I’m hoping students can learn [at this event] from people of the same or different backgrounds and just learn from each other in a different way than just in the classroom,” Yanni said.
Yanni said this event allows students to see people of all different cultures and to understand and respect one another.
Sarah Doughan, a sophomore nursing student and co-event coordinator of MENAC, said that their goals are to “have so much spirit and energy,” and “bring the MENA community together at this school.”
Shadid said he joined the club to “feel represented and embrace [his] culture.” “National pride” is “the biggest thing” for “Rep Your Flag” night, he said.
President of ASO, Nancy Kajo, a sophomore pre-law student with political science and Catholic studies majors, attended the event with fellow ASO e-board members. She said ASO decided to co-sponsor the event in the hopes that students would leave with more knowledge of different cultures than when they came in.
“Us Albanians are very loving towards our people, our culture, and to ‘Rep Your Flag’ means exactly that, so it’s what we came here to do,” Kajo said.
Attendees were able to learn about the various countries represented, their traditions and the significance behind each flag. MENAC’s next event, “Religions of the Middle East,” will be held on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in Fahy 237.
Christine Benites is a writer for the Setonian’s Campus Life section. She can be reached at christine.benites@student.shu.edu.
