February is a special month for Kuwaitis because it includes National Kuwaiti Day on the 25th and the Day of Liberation on the 26th. Back home, people display the Kuwaiti flag on their cars, faces, and clothes. It is also commonplace to hear Kuwaiti music celebrating the beauty of our country and commemorating how the people stood together to liberate our country. Like the people of America on the 4th of July in America, Kuwaitis feel patriotic and proud towards our motherland.
For me, this year was different because, as a student in Temple’s Center for American Language and Culture (TCALC), it was the first year I was away from Kuwait in February. I came to Temple in October to study English so I will be able to study computer engineering in the U.S.
Initially, I was happy to learn that every year the Kuwaiti Students Association at Temple University (KSAT) organizes an event to gather all Kuwaiti students studying in Philadelphia to celebrate our national day. This year, the association could not organize the event. So, I decided with my friend Ali, who is also a TCALC student, to make a small booth on campus to represent our culture to students from other countries.
Stephanie Hopwood, student services coordinator at TCALC, helped us procure permission and reserve a spot for our booth. The next step was deciding what to do at the booth. We knew that people love food, especially sweets so we decided that we should have some sweets. Because we could not find Kuwaiti sweets in the U.S., we had to make them ourselves, not ideal since we are not chefs.
“There was so much excitement and jubilation… We had a wonderful time and were so glad that students from other Philadelphia universities and from other cultures and backgrounds joined us to celebrate, enjoy our food, and learn about our history and culture.”
Abdullah Ali
Ali and my mom came to the rescue with their cherished recipes! My fear was that even though the recipes were authentic, the cooks, including me, were novices. But luckily, no one seemed to mind. A few days before the event, Stephanie helped us design a beautiful announcement inviting TCALC family members. And we reached out to our Kuwaiti friends studying in Philadelphia. On the day of the event, Ali and I were in for a real treat!
We were so nervous before the event, but, easing our nerves, we were happily surprised by all the help TCALC offered us. The staff was on the ground to help us get our table ready with the food and the poster displaying the historical significance of this day. That felt comforting. Students flocked to our booth. I was so elated to see most of my friends and TCALC staff share this day with us.
We welcomed our guests with traditional sweets, such as saffron cake and a cupcake made from cardamom and saffron called Gers Aqili, cookies with Kuwaiti flag colors; and drinks, such as a popular juice in Kuwait with strawberry, mango and vanilla ice cream called Awar Galb weirdly named “Heart Break” because it is so delicious that your heart will be broken when you finish it. Finally, we had a mixed berry juice that we only drink in Ramadan called Vimto.
There was so much excitement and jubilation… We had a wonderful time and were so glad that students from other Philadelphia universities and from other cultures and backgrounds joined us to celebrate, enjoy our food, and learn about our history and culture.
This event was historic in many ways. It was the first ever Kuwaiti event organized by TCALC students. And it was my first time cooking for a large gathering. This was also my first time celebrating this day away from home in the company of people from various parts of the world—some of whom were strangers to me. Yet it was a hoot, and a celebration to be remembered!
By Abdullah Ali, Temple Center for American Culture and Language Student
Photos provided by Abdullah Ali