Well over 200 UCLA students and community members gathered over
rice and hummus Sunday night in an effort to raise money for
humanitarian aid in Lebanon.
The dinner, sponsored in part by the Muslim Student Association,
the Lebanese Social Club and the Undergraduate Students Association
Council, raised thousands of dollars for the Red Cross.
The event included donated food, a performance by Random Voices
and speakers including Saree Makdisi, a professor of English and
comparative literature, Amira Matar, director of activities for the
Lebanese American Foundation, and Salam Al-Marayati, executive
director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council.
“This is a nonpartisan effort. No one’s pointing
fingers or making accusations. People need help and we are doing
our part to get them that help,” said Samer Araabi, a USAC
general representative who helped organize the event.
During his address Makdisi listed several statistics, outlining
what he said was a strong need for relief in Lebanon after the
conflict this summer between Hezbollah, an Islamic organization
based in Lebanon, and Israel.
The numbers show there were 4,000 rockets fired from Lebanon
into Israel, 30,000 Lebanese homes destroyed, and there are
currently 1 million unexploded cluster bomb pods located at 750
bomb sites throughout Lebanon. During the conflict, 1,500 people
were killed, most of them in Lebanon and a third of them
children.
“The bombs are a material reality we have to deal with.
… We must continue the relief efforts in any way possible,”
Makdisi said.
“It will take years to locate and destroy the cluster
bombs. … They are currently injuring or killing three to four
people a day,” he added.
Celica Abushawish, a third-year international development
studies student, said she was at the event in support of the
Lebanese civilians.
“I’m here to support the cause,” she said.
“The money raised here will go directly to the demolished
homes.”
Midway through the dinner, a slide show of images played that
included pictures of Lebanon both before and after the recent
conflict. The images of demolished homes and cities underscored the
purpose of the event, said Combiz Abdolrahimi, an organizer of the
dinner, in a speech.
“It is inspiring to be with a younger audience
tonight,” said Matar, looking over the audience. “I am
so proud to be a Lebanese American. Lebanon gave me wisdom and
America gave me opportunity.”
“How can we help the children?” she asked. “We
are stronger when we join efforts.”
Clare Kruger, a second-year psychology student, said she
attended the event because she is interested in Middle Eastern
politics.
“This dinner plays into my interest in the Middle East and
helps promote awareness about the issues (in Lebanon),” she
said.
Traditional Lebanese music by the UCLA Near Eastern Ensemble
played in the background during the dinner, and attendees spoke of
current events or nodded quietly in recognition of the
devastation.
“War is a terrible thing, but in peace Lebanon is a
beautiful thing for all of us to share,” Matar said.
“Lebanon is a state of mind … a dream.”