Ammon News - By Dr. Omar Al-Haj Eid, Associate Professor of Linguistics.

The Cultural Open Day is stimulating students’ senses via a cultural, artistic, and festive celebration by the Faculty. The activity was inaugurated by Prof. Waleed Al Anatee, Dean of FESA.

Launched on 7 January 2024 with a set of performances by FESA talented students, the prestigious event incorporates a total of nine miscellaneous types of social, cultural, and dramatic sketches, along with art shows, a typical Palestinian wedding, poetry, food display plus book expo in addition to other shows. The ceremony was attended by several visitors, staff members, and crowds of students.

The cultural occasion was organized by Dr. Ghada Abu Enein, Head of the English language Department, and Dr. Shatha Abu AL hommos, Assistant Professor at FESA.

The show was organized in collaboration with the University of Jordan represented by the guest of honor- Dr Abdel Rahman Altakhaineh, Associate Professor of Linguistics, and the Deputy Dean for quality assurance, international accreditation, and ranking.

“This intellectual vigor allows students to respect cultural differences to create rapport and confidence with other students of several cultural backgrounds.” according to Dr Abdel Rahman Altakhaineh.

The cultural display is part of the festivities of the English Language Department at FESA. “Through this significant act, FESA aims to build cultural awareness among students, introduce them to different cultures around the globe, and ameliorate the sense of belonging to the Jordanian and Palestinian cultures, " noted the organizers of the activity, Dr. Ghada Abu Enein, and Dr. Shatha Abu AL hommos.

“The beauty of our globe lies in its people’s diversity featuring the ultimate goal of this act,” pointed out a staff member, Husam Abu Hajar, Associate Professor at the School of Engineering, University of Jordan.

“We should learn further about each other, expand mutual ties, recognize the beauty of different cultures, and knock down walls of ignorance detaching communities,” said the master of ceremony, Batool Mosleh. “The cultural diversity of this show promotes tolerance, empathy, and acceptance of others and allows us to build a booming community that influences many talented people despite their culture and religion, added another student, Alaa Ghawanmeh.

FESA students hosted a real portrait of a Palestinian wedding which was elaborate and rich in symbolism. They introduced several iconic traditions that keep characterizing exceptional Palestinian weddings.

One of the organizing students said, “This Palestinian wedding show brings joy and pleasure to our hearts with its entirely cultural and artistic traditions, though our hearts are still afflicted as we think of the Israeli attacks on Gaza.”

The Culture Day was meticulously coordinated to display the food exhibition. The food parade presented several food items from several countries: Jordan, Palestine, Greece, Italy, etc. During the ceremony, guests and students were offered some food items from different countries.

Some students performed Dabke dance, a classic folk dance. Palestine refugees in camps usually perform it throughout ceremonies and festive occasions.

In a statement, Dr. Abdalhadi Abu Jweid said, “It is wonderful that we have skilled Dabke performers who deliver their expertise and participate with their local Dabke team, but, moreover, this joyful ceremonial puts more effort into developing and strengthening student’s skills and competencies.”

On another note, the Cultural Open Day includes a book fair. It offers an extensive, diverse, and extremely rendered repertoire of books. The book fair presents an educational–cultural hub and attracts book enthusiasts and lovers to quench their thirst for reading.

In an interview, Dr. Abdalhadi Abu Jweid, the organizer of the book fair said, “This exhibition is a typical phenomenon and improves various facets of quality education in universities.” continued Dr. Abdalhadi.

The day event concludes with a video presentation encompassing various cultures around the world.