Saudi students plan to revive their club as the number of Saudi nationals reaches record-breaking levels.

The surge in the number of Saudis has been mainly due to the establishment of the University Preparatory Program (UPP), which gives students with less than average English capabilities the chance to enroll in AUB as they take reinforcement English courses.

The program goes well for students from most of the Arab countries, where English as a second language is not given enough attention in school curricula.

The Saudi Cultural Club is expected to enlist around one hundred male and female students. These will include both new and old students, Saudis and non-Saudis. Several members have already shown strong commitment and dedication to the club, as they plan on making it “one of the best and most active clubs here.”

According to Mohammed Al-Madani, the club’s president candidate, the club’s raison detre is three-fold. “It will provide the present Saudi Arabian community with a place to come together. It will ofeer those students who gre up in Saudi Arabia a chance to reconnect to the Saudi culture. as well as a place for other people that have lived in or enjoyed any aspect of the Saudi culture throughout their lives. Furthermore, it serves to correct the “Lebanese misconceptions” of Saudi culture, and shed an educational light on what the culture is really about.

These ambitions will be carried out through events, exhibitions, and trips that the club members are responsibly planning from now. To start with, they plan on organizing three Ramadan-related events: two iftars at the Movenpick and Sheraton hotels, along with one night-time outing in a Ramadan tent with a live singer from the Gulf region.

Following the holy month of Ramadan, the club will continue strengthening its roots in AUB. Cabinet and club members plan on meeting once every week. They have agreed to arrange for one event every week, and one significant event every three weeks. This, specified Mohammed, will show the Saudi presence in the community.

Such ideas for the future include a trip to Habtoor Land for the Fitr Holiday and a possible organizational effort for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Mecca. In addition to these trips, the club looks forward to setting up a notable exhibition at West Hall which will reveal more about Saudi Arabian history, culture, and its relations with Lebanon. The exhibition will be an interactive event with competitions and prizes for anyone who wishes to participate. These occasions are seen as helpful in bridging the Lebanese and Saudi cultures together.

Despite support from the Saudi embassy, Al-Madani emphasized the independence of the club, and its lack of association with any Lebanese or Arab political party. With great confidence, he stated, “Saudi is with Lebanon! And with all of its sects and political parties!” Excitement and passion for Saudi, Lebanese, and Arab nationalism will surely give the Saudi Cultural Club the push needed for it to be a success in the AUB community.