The Saudi Arabia club celebrated the Saudi Arabian National Day on Marshall’s campus Monday. The President of the Saudi Arabia club said he would compare this holiday to the Fourth of July.

“When I first came here, I learned that Marshall has a philosophy, which is to get other cultures to engage with each other,” said President of the Saudi Arabia club Omar Alsulami. “So I decided that day I took it upon myself to educate anyone that wants to learn about my culture.”

The event took place at the Memorial Student Center, where the club set up tables and banners. The students offered food and drinks for students who were interested and played music. Some of the food included basbosah, baklava and herbed coffee. Students could also have their name written in Arabic.

Before the celebration could officially start, the cutting of the cake had to come first. Maurice Cooley, vice president of intercultural affairs, said cutting the cake is an honor in Saudi culture and the event could not officially start until it was complete.

“The most amazing part is that all of the Saudi students come together on this day,” said freshman health care management major Manal Abdullah. “And we show our love to our country and it’s in the middle of the university.”

Alsulami said the holiday is celebrated in Saudi Arabia by hanging Saudi Arabia banners on buildings and on roads. Children are excused from school and everyone is expected to spend the day with their families in celebration.

Monica Zalaznik can be reached at [email protected]