Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) students are a recently recognized population that has historically been underserved by the campus and MSC. While some MENA students identify with the BCC or APIDASC, many MENA students see themselves as a distinct population with their own unique cultures and heritages.
In fall 2023, operations intern Dana Tabaza advocated for the creation of programming and targeted support for this population. Dana created a questionnaire asking MSC students about their level of interest in programs and a center for MENA students. A total of 371 students responded, all of whom agreed or strongly agreed that there should be programming and space for MENA students in the MSC. Of the respondents, 112 identified as MENA. The universal support for MENA programming led to the creation of MENA Social Night as the first MENA-focused program since the 2018 MENA Heritage Month. This event brought Middle Eastern and North African and other students together to build community. In planning the event, Dana estimated 120 students would attend. More than 150 attendees participated in MENA-themed Human Bingo and various board and card games staying well past the official end time of the event. The overwhelming success of MENA Social Night led to today’s opportunities to participate in cultural programming, community building, and leadership development.
In planning the event, Dana estimated 120 students would attend. More than 150 attendees participated in MENA-themed Human Bingo and various board and card games staying well past the official end time of the event.
The overwhelming success of MENA Social Night and Dana’s advocacy for a position focused on MENA students resulted in the establishment of the MENA programming intern position, which Dana stepped into for spring 2023.
MENA Heritage Month
History
In 2018, UW-Madison celebrated its first MENAHM. The inaugural month was sponsored by the MSC and supported by a student committee of fifteen individuals. In total, MENAHM 2018 hosted four events, attracting 141 attendees in total. MENAHM 2023 brought the MENA campus population together again, building on the legacy of 2018 with a collective of 30 individuals leading nine events with nearly 700 attendees.
March 2023 marked the celebratory return of Middle Eastern North African Heritage Month (MENAHM) to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The month recognizes the vibrant cultures of the MENA region, as well as the rich cultural heritages and experiences of MENA-identifying individuals. Nationally, April is the informally recognized heritage month for this historical and cultural celebration. However, the UW-Madison campus and Multicultural Student Center observe Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month (APIDAHM) in April, so MENAHM is celebrated in March.
2024 continued MENAHM as a part of the MSC’s calendar with 7 events. More than 300 people attended the kickoff, Night at the Bazaar. MENAHM expanded beyond Collective-planned programs with events hosted by student organizations and campus offices.
Sponsored by the Multicultural Student Center and made possible by students whose passion for their heritage goes beyond borders and stereotypes, MENA Heritage Month recognizes a vibrant community, their stories, and their cultural contributions to the UW–Madison campus and beyond. MENAHM seeks to provide representation and community for MENA Students that those that wish to better understand their experiences and culture.
Who plans MENA Heritage Month?
A student-led committee known as the MENA Heritage Month Planning Collective plans the month with oversight and support from MSC professional staff, Assistant Director, Noreen Siddiqui. These students decide the theme, create the graphics, and organize events for the month.
My office/student organization would like to participate in MENA Heritage Month. How can we do that?
As with all other History and Heritage Months led by the MSC, campus entities and student organizations are encouraged to host their own events to recognize and celebrate the month. While the Planning Collective would love to collaborate with everyone on events, they do not have the capacity to do so. About a week prior to the start of each month, Student Affairs will send out a media toolkit to campus communications offices with information on the theme and events planned by the Collective. Events can be added to the wisc.today.edu calendar with the #uwmenahm. These events will then show up on the list of events on the MENA Heritage Month webpage.
The MENAHM Planning Collective has limited capacity for collaborative programming. If you are interested in collaborating, please contact Assistant Director Noreen Siddiqui by December to discuss potential ideas.
If your area is planning its own event for the month but would like to stay abreast of the Planning Collective’s schedule, please contact Assistant Director Noreen Siddiqui, so you can be added to our partners list for updates.
MENA Heritage Month Planning Collective
Any currently enrolled degree-seeking student is welcome to sign up to join the Planning Collective. Students do not need to be affiliated with a registered student organization affiliated with the MSC. Recruitment for the Planning Collective begins in the fall semester as the group starts meeting in October/November. Advertising for this occurs on the MENA Programming Instagram account and electronic newsletter. Membership is voluntary, but students are required to attend weekly in-person meetings leading up to March along with a few virtual meetings during the winter break. Students who are studying abroad may participate at the discretion of Assistant Director Noreen Siddiqui.
A student chair coordinates and facilitates the Planning Collective. This student is hired by the Multicultural Student Center as the MENA Programming intern for the academic year.
The Planning Collective is overseen by a professional staff member. Currently, MSC Assistant Director Noreen Siddiqui advises the Planning Collective and manages their funds.
