AUS celebrates Omani National Day on campus

Over 150 people joined the American University of Sharjah (AUS) student-run Omani Cultural Club in an evening event commemorating the sultanate's 43rd National Day on November 24.

Welcoming the crowd gathered on the AUS plaza was Doaa Al Kathiri, the president's club. The guests included AUS officials, students and outside visitors. "Here we are today celebrating our country's joys and expressing with all dedication and belonging the love we have for our leader, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said," said the chemical engineering junior, speaking in Arabic.

"Our march to continue what our ancestors built begins here," she remarked, adding that "students are a country's ambassadors who reflect its traditions and reputation" by demonstrating good ethics. She also thanked the university for its efforts in making the event come together.

Students then ran a fashion show showcasing the country's traditional attire on a customized stage, which was decorated with colors of the Omani flag as well as a large cutout of the Sultan.

Attendees also enjoyed a poetry segment by guest performers Mohamad Albadi and Faisal Al Farsi. Students acted in and directed a play and a traditional dance depicting Omani culture, which was followed by patriotic music performed by national singers Salah Al Zidgali and Khalid Al Faisali.

"We are trying to celebrate our country's national day [in] our second country, the UAE, [by showing] that Oman has different districts, dialects and traditions," said Al Kathiri in an interview.

The event was eye-opening to people discovering Omani culture for the first time. AUS mass communication and English literature senior Farah Nada said that she "really enjoyed the student play as well as the patriotic songs."

"I know very little about Oman's culture and customs," she added, "and the event was a very entertaining introduction."