Student groups will be hosting a diverse lineup of cultural events for the campus community this Arab American Heritage Month, with additional programming for the public hosted through the Hammer Museum at UCLA and the UCLA Film & Television Archive.
This calendar is just a sample of the programming the Bruin community has to offer throughout the year. Be sure to check out campus units such as the Middle Eastern Student Association at UCLA and the Center for Near Eastern Studies, as well as their affiliated faculty, for even more research, events and opportunities.
April 14
Middle Eastern student lobby day
In collaboration with the Middle Eastern Student Association at UCLA and the UCLA External Vice President’s office, 15 students will travel to Sacramento, where they will lobby for legislation regarding issues related to education, students and the Middle East and North Africa population.
This event will take place at the California Capitol building in Sacramento. Students have been selected through an application process.
April 16, 12:30 p.m.
Lunchtime art talk on Mona Hatoum
Curatorial assistant Nyah Ginwright will lead a discussion on Mona Hatoum, a Palestinian artist who was born in Lebanon and lives in London. Hatoum challenges minimalist and surrealist movements by creating art that explores society’s contradictions and conflicts. Her art grapples with themes related to race, societal control, gender and politics. She is a multidisciplinary artist and has done sculpture, video, photography, installations and works on paper.
This talk will take place at the Hammer Museum. Admission is free and not ticketed.
April 16, 6:00 p.m.
Hafleh in honor of National Arab American Heritage Month
In honor of National Arab American Heritage Month, the Arab Health Organization at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Southwest Asian North African Health Alliance Club are hosting a Hafleh. This event celebrates the achievements and cultural traditions of the Middle East and North African region and will feature dinner from Sunnin Lebanese Cafe, henna, a photo booth, music and dabke.
This event will take place at the Fowler Museum Terrace. RSVP is requested.
April 17, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
ASUCLA Movie Night presents “Hajjan”
In celebrational of Arab American Heritage Month, Associated Students UCLA will be showing the 2023 film “Hajjan.” The coming-of-age adventure follows brothers Matar and Ghanim and their life in the Saudi Arabian desert. When tragedy strikes, young Matar takes on camel racing to keep his camel Hofira.
The free screening will take place at the Charles E. Young Grand Salon in Kerckhoff Hall. Snacks and beverages will be served.
April 23, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The Middle Eastern Student Association at UCLA, in collaboration with other Arab and Middle Eastern/North African student organizations on campus — such as the Iraqi Student Association, Lebanese Student Association, North African Student Association and more — are hosting an event to celebrate their cultural roots.
This event will be held on campus at the Kerckhoff Hall patio. No registration is required.
April 24, 6:00 p.m.
PaliRoots founders Aminah and Hussein Musa will take part in a Q&A on how entrepreneurship can further activism, organized by student groups AMIN (Advancing Muslims in Innovation and Networking) and the Palestinian Student Union. Established in 2016, PaliRoots is a clothing brand that creates original Palestinian apparel to preserve Palestinian culture and heritage. PaliRoots has donated 3.6 meals in Palestine and raised over $3.4 million for vital initiatives across Palestine. The event will explore themes of culture, fashion and community and will include dinner from Jerusalem Chicken, coffee from Sahra Cafe and merchandise giveaways and discount codes.
This event is free and registration is required. The event location will be provided to registered guests closer to the event date.
April 26, 7:30 p.m.
The UCLA Film & Television Archive presents a screening of the documentary “Palestine Blues,” with director Nida Sinnokrot in attendance. The film captures the resilience and resistance of Palestinian farmers in the village of Jayyous as Israel’s separation wall threatens their survival. The film largely forgoes narration, opting instead to let the voices and struggles of Jayyous’ citizens, some of whom are Sinnokrot’s relatives, speak for themselves.
This event will take place at the Hammer Museum. Attendance is free, and tickets will be available at the Hammer Museum box office, which opens one hour prior to the event. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
