Students Commemorate Year of MENA Cultural Suite at Yale

Students gathered on the evening of March 15, 2024, at the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) cultural suite to celebrate the first anniversary of this dedicated space at Yale University. The suite was established following a commitment from former University President Peter Salovey in December 2023, aimed at enhancing support for students impacted by the Israel-Hamas conflict. The opening marked a significant milestone after years of advocacy from students for a designated MENA area on campus.

During the celebration, Iman Ali, Yale College’s director of student engagement, highlighted key achievements of the MENA cultural community over the past year. These included honoring the first cohort of MENA graduates and hosting Yale’s inaugural MENA Heritage Month. Ali emphasized the suite’s role in fostering connections among students and faculty through various academic and cultural events.

“MENACC embodies humanism — a shared belief in dignity, dialogue, and cultural understanding,” Ali stated. “Through every event, every conversation, and every connection made in this space, we have expanded what it means to belong at Yale.”

Students expressed appreciation for the dedicated cultural space, with some voicing a desire for increased funding to enhance its offerings. Lena Ginawi, assistant director of the MENA cultural community, noted that the establishment of the suite was the culmination of years of student activism and collaboration with campus partners who recognized the need for such a space.

“It did not happen overnight,” Ginawi remarked. “It is the result of years of student advocacy and support from various stakeholders.”

Before the suite’s establishment, many MENA students relied on the Asian American Cultural Center for programming and support. Ginawi highlighted the importance of this historical connection, stating, “It’s really a part of our history.”

Basma Elbagory, an undergraduate student coordinator for the MENA cultural community, described the suite as “a home away from home” that provides a safe environment for students to connect over shared identities and values. She recalled a particularly impactful experience organizing a faculty panel discussing the legal implications of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Looking ahead, Elbagory expressed a hope that Yale will formally recognize MENA students as a distinct racial or ethnic category in demographic data collection. She believes this step could enhance visibility and enable the community to better serve its members. “An increase in resources would really help us continue growing the community,” she added.

The anniversary celebration concluded with a screening of a short film directed and edited by Daphne Wu, chronicling the MENA cultural community’s foundation and first year. Wu expressed her emotions about capturing this significant milestone on film, stating, “The MENA community has been advocating for this space for so long. It’s really moving to encapsulate how much having a dedicated space means to the MENA students at Yale.”

The MENA cultural suite is located on the first floor of 305 Crown St., serving as an essential hub for cultural engagement and community building at Yale.