Dental Students host Arab American Heritage Month Event

The Middle East North African Student Dental Association (MENA-SDA) from the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI) hosted Arab American Heritage Month in April. The event included a presentation of various aspects of Arab culture with historical and religious sites, contributions of Arabs in math and healthcare, traditional dabke folk dance, and popular singers. The event, held at Midwestern University’s Multispecialty Clinic in Downers Grove, featured a panel of University faculty, staff, students, and alumni to discuss their culture, identity, and experiences navigating two cultures. The panel participants were Duaa Hamoud, D.M.D., (CDMI ’15), adjunct faculty; Yousif Tolla, D.M.D., (CDMI ’16), adjunct faculty; Ramez Jaseam, Manager of Dental Clinic Operations, Dental Institute; Ghassan Souri, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor, Dental Institute, and dental student Ihmud Ihmud (CDMI ’26). The panelists identified their Arab heritage as Palestinian, Iraqi, and Syrian. 

The panel members agreed that one of their favorite aspects of the Arab culture was the sense of community. Dr. Tolla said, “Whenever there is an Arab community, it seems like everybody knows everybody. If you're coming from a different country, and you're here as a foreigner, you miss that sense of community and belonging at first.” Dr. Souri said that in his homeland the neighbors in the communities always interacted. “You go outside in the afternoon and find everybody there, and you all sit down to talk,” he shared. The panelists also expressed appreciation for the culture. Ihmud stated, “Every person is rooted to who they are, no matter where they go.” He added, “My favorite memory over there was me and my friends going into the mountains to barbecue.”

The panelists also discussed some of their favorite cultural dishes, including dawali (grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat), kubba (cracked wheat shell stuffed with meat and onions), and makluba (translated literally as upside down as the dish of rice, eggplants, or cauliflower, is served by flipping the pot upside down to put the dish on the serving plate). And, the panel and audience talked about famous Arab Americans, such as Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, and shared favorite quotes from author Kahil Gibran. 

Adjusting to a new country was part of the journey for panelists born abroad. Dr. Tolla noted that one of the differences when he moved to the U.S. was the focus of people on their immediate circle, community, and country. “We were culturally aware of different countries. When you move here, it's different. It's just you, your house, and your community group.” Dr. Souri reflected on the first time it snowed after he first came to the country. He stayed home from school because snow in his country of origin was rare. His brother came home and asked why he was not at school, and he answered because of the weather. His brother told him he would stay home for months, and he learned classes were not usually cancelled for snow alone. 

The panelists discussed changing the perception of Arabs in American society and stereotypes. Dr. Souri said, “The only thing we could change is how we behave in society, which shows that it doesn’t matter what is our religion or background. We are people like anybody else, but I think everybody has experienced a stereotype.” He shared that he experienced racial profiling during his travels, and the person questioning him was skeptical that he is a dentist. Dr. Hamoud reflected, “I think it’s a big misconception that Arab women are perceived as ignorant and uneducated. In the community I grew up in and that I’m still a part of, the women are doctors, engineers, and architects.” Mr. Jaseam stated when people know his country of origin, he receives questions such as if the country is only a desert, if trees are there, and if people only use camels to travel. “We have civilization. I wish people would change the way they look at us. We study, and we are hardworking.” He added that his parents were teachers, and his sister is a hospital manager. 

Dr. Tolla continued, “I would tell people that I was Arab, and they would assume that I was Muslim. And I would tell them that I'm not, they would say, ‘How did you survive all these years? Were they friendly to you?’ And the thing that they didn't realize is that I grew up in a country that has a Muslim majority, but we all meshed so well together as far as different religions. Unfortunately, what they know of the culture is what's portrayed in the media and the war.” Mr. Jaseam agreed, and he said he would go to church with friends and neighbors, and they would come to the mosque with him. He reflected that they would all give each other gifts on their respective religious holidays of Christmas and Eid. The audience also shared stereotypes they experienced, such as Arab and Muslim being used interchangeably, when not all Arabs are Muslim and vice versa. 

The Midwestern University MENA-SDA was founded in 2024, with student leadership comprised of first- and second-year dental students, and Melisa Alabsy, D.D.S, M.H.A., Director, CDMI, serves as their faculty advisor. Arab American Heritage Month is their second event following an inaugural Iftar during the month of Ramadan. Student organizations like MENA-SDA hold cultural events to raise awareness and share their stories. Cultural events are a part of Midwestern University’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.