New Club Promotes Greater Awareness and Understanding of Palestinian Culture
The Olive Branch logo courtesy of Natasha El-Khatib and made by Grace Reed
By Patrick D. Lewis
One of several new clubs on campus this semester is The Olive Branch, which, according to its Nest page, is “built to foster cultural and humanitarian awareness in the Middle East and North Africa specifically in regards to justice for Palestine.” We recently sat down with members of its leadership team to learn more about why they started the club and what they have already and hope to accomplish.
Natasha El-Khatib, a senior nursing major and club President, said that she and Ozhan Kazempour, a graduate clinical social work student, began discussing starting a club last year after meeting in Mullen Library and discovering their shared interest in creating a space on campus.
“There should be a safe space for solidarity,” said El-Khatib. That sentiment spurred them to start the club last October. They were officially registered as an organization by the Office of Campus Activities on the Nest this semester.
Last semester, The Olive Branch co-sponsored a prayer vigil for peace in the Middle East with the Progressive Student Union. This year, they already have several events planned, including a charity fundraiser this Friday, a movie night, and an interactive webinar with author and professor Martin Shaw about his book, What Is Genocide? The club also sends readings to its members which are then subjects of group discussions.
The club also has semi-weekly general body meetings, which are open to the public and held in The Nest in the Pryzbyla Center.
The club is non-partisan and interfaith; the prayer vigil last October included readings from the Quran, Torah, and the Bible. El-Khatib remembered it as a “moment of respect.”
The board sees the club as much more than a place for “political respite” and talking about international events. Junior business major Ahmad Haleem, one of the executive board members, emphasized the historical and cultural side of events, including learning about Palestinian and Middle Eastern food, traditions, and language.
The club also aims to just enjoy each other’s company without worrying about negative or hostile political opinions. Events like the upcoming movie night allow members to, “have that safe space, but be able to detox and de-stress,” said Haleem.
El-Khatib also spoke about the level of interest the club has received on campus.
“We’re very new. We’re trying to work on our reach,” she said. She added that the group has received interest from dozens of students while tabling in the Pryz and that the club has received no, “direct negativity.”
The club plans to continue working on getting new members, more events, and, ultimately, providing a place where people can comfortably discuss, learn about, and express their concerns for the many issues facing the Palestinian people.
