By: Sarah Perrill

Valley students can now have a taste of a different culture. The UTPA Arabic Language and Culture Club will host a dinner fundraiser at Al-Basha, an authentic Mediterranean restaurant Feb. 9.

The dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will include a six-course meal and a belly dancing performance. The price at the door is $40 per person and $25 with UTPA student ID. Proceeds from the dinner will go to UTPA students going abroad for cultural studies, and multicultural conferences.

“It’s a close-knit environment, not everyone is interested in Arabic culture. We talk about issues like cultural competencies as a platform,” said Brenda Diaz, a senior and founder of the group.

This is the first event sponsored by the group since it was formed in 2008 after a trip to Morocco under UTPA professor Dr. Aziza Zemrani, assistant professor in UTPA’s Master of Public Administration program. Students who went on the month-long trip spent six hours a day learning Arabic and attended lectures on the country’s culture, history, institutions, and economy.

“People who are in the group are in it because they are interested in exploring the culture,” Diaz said.

Zemrani formed a Cultural Immersion Program between UTPA and the University of Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco, and is the sponsor of the club.

“We’re forming a student engagement to contribute and to learn the Arabic language. Its a positive environment promoting the culture,” said Diaz, an anthropology and philosophy major.

The 20-plus-member group meet every two weeks at Al-Basha, enjoying the Mediterranean cuisine, discussing culture issues and studying Arabic with fellow student tutors.

“We included culture in the group because some people are also interested in Arabic calligraphy, poetry, and belly dancing,” Diaz said.