Om El Donya, Mother of the World: The New Egyptian Student Association at VCU
By Rana Ansari
The rapid drumming beat of the song Boushret Kheir “Good Tidings”, by Hussein Al Jasmi vibrates through the ground to my body as I walk to get into line.
The popular Egyptian song serves almost as an anthem, providing an optimistic perspective on the future of Egypt. I excitedly went through the line, talking with those around me, including first-year Honors student, Malak Eldessouky.
We are about to eat kosheri, a popular Egyptian dish that I had yet to try. When Malak discovers this about me, she insists that her mother will one day make a plate for me. She expresses her love for Kosheri and her experiences growing up with it when she lived in Egypt before immigrating to Virginia.
It is believed that Kosheri originated in India and made its way to the British, which was then brought to Egypt during colonization in the 1880s. The name comes from the Hindu “khichri”, which is the word for a dish with lentils and rice. It is now a very popular Egyptian street dish that serves as a staple for not only the country but Egyptians all over the world.
I see a line of individuals serving the food, each tasked with one part of the dish. I grab a paper plate, and I am met with the warm smiles of Wessam, a co-founder of the new continuation of the Egyptian Student Association, or the ESA. I tell her that I have never tried the dish before, and she responds by insisting that I must come back for seconds in Egyptian Arabic, a dialect so beautiful, but rare to my ears. She starts by adding rice and lentils onto my plate and passes it off to t
he next person, who adds some pasta. This is then topped with additional toppings like chickpeas, fried onions, and tomato sauce.
I then gladly place some baklava onto my plate and sit down with the others. I smile as I look around on the beautiful night of the historical “tues-day”, 2-22-22, the Kosheri Q fundraiser for the new VCU student association.
I tell her that I have never tried the dish before, and she responds by insisting that I must come back for seconds in Egyptian Arabic, a dialect so beautiful, but rare to my ears.
The vibrant flavors of the dish immediately transformed me, making me get up on my feet with a new friend that I had just met that night. The Darbuka, or Goblet Drum, is taken out, and we start to dance as we bang the drum. For at least a moment, I felt that I had been taken back to the Middle East, dancing with family and friends after a hearty homemade meal full of smiles and laughter. I was also sure that the Egyptians that attended the event were brought back to their homeland in Egypt, like revisiting an old, long-lost friend.
After a long hibernation period, the ESA was recently brought back to life by graduate student Youssef Abouhussien, and his co-founders Wessam, Haya, and Ithen. There is a large Egyptian student population on both the Monroe and MCV campuses, but a lack of representation.
Through ESA, Abouhussein hopes to bring both Egyptian and non-Egyptian students together by hosting Egyptian-themed events and activities, similar to the kosheri fundraiser, which was held jointly with Bridges International, that I attended last month.
One of the bigger goals of the ESA is “get all Egyptians around vcu together” to truly appreciate the best parts about being Egyptian. To Youssef, that includes the “great food, music and sense of humor.”
Egypt is home to the Arab world’s greatest stars, such as filmmakers and actors. Known as the “Hollywood of the Middle East” according to Al Jazeera news, shows and movies on television screens were almost always Egyptian since as early as the 1920s. The “golden age” however, occurred during the 40s to the 60s. These films are still loved by families around the world today.
Oftentimes, these productions were staged, but depicted daily Egyptian life, and reflected societal and cultural norms at the time. Political stances were taken within the plots, making Egyptian cinema to be a large force for activism in Middle Eastern politics.
It is even home to some of the greatest Arab classical composers, singers, and songs, such as Ahwak by Abdel Halim Hafez, that was featured in my last Le Monde post.
Umm Kulthum, another popular singer, was always heard echoing throughout my household, especially her popular songs Alf Layla wa Layla “One Thousand and One Nights” or Enta Omry “You are my life.”
My father used to sit me down to watch her performances, usually in black in white. It was in these Youtube videos that I saw what true musical passion looked like, as she stood for 45 minutes at a time, gripping tightly onto a handkerchief as she powerfully sang the lyrics.
In many ways, Kohseri is a dish that represents Egypt. There are so many different toppings and ingredient combinations that make a great Kosheri dish. These different parts, although different from each other, complement each other. The diversity of the people, talent, culture, and history of Egypt are so vast that come together to make a beautiful country that is oftentimes overlooked. The country is especially recognized throughout those in the Middle East, encouraging a sense of Arab unity that can sometimes feel lost.
A friend of mine, Ali, who is a native of Jordan, teaches me the meaning of “Om El Donya,” the nickname given to Egypt, acknowledging the important cultural foothold that Egypt has on the entirety of the Middle East. VCU is very lucky to have the Egyptian population that it does, and becoming a part of the ESA is a great way to support and appreciate our Egyptian Rams!
To keep up with the ESA and attend future events, make sure to follow them on Instagram @Esa_vcu_.
Photo courtesy of Rana Ansari