Last Thursday evening at 9 p.m., eager students filed in to experience a night of good food and fun, and the Shapiro Campus Center was transformed into an exotic gathering place. Hosted by the students from various Hebrew and Arab language classes, the Hafleh Arab dance party proved to be an entertaining glimpse of Middle Eastern culture for curious Brandeis students. The night began with students sampling a buffet of catered Middle Eastern food such as falafel and shwarma, compliments of the Brookline restaurant, Rami's. Unfortunately, the organizers had underestimated the popularity of the event, which attracted a couple hundred students, and they ran out of the delicious food quickly.

In addition to food, the event included decorations and entertainment. Flags of several Middle Eastern and African countries adorned the surrounding balconies of the student center. While students socialized and ate, the atrium vibrated with the beat of energetic Arabic music.

Before the entertainment began, all of the main organizers were recognized and thanked, including Manisha Snoyer '03, Ayham Bahnass '05, Nour Al-Sabeeh '05, Amanda Burgoyne '04, Maisakh Saibon '03, Zein Nasif '03 and Taher Baderkhan '03. Following the recognitions, the main event - belly dancing - began.

Clad in purple and silver sequins, the belly dancer engaged the audience as she seductively moved to the rhythm of the music. While the audience clapped in encouragement, Nour, one of the event's organizers, proceeded also to show off her belly dancing talent. Then the organizers started pulling members of the audience onto the dance floor to join in on the festivities. Soon, the majority of the room was dancing to the Middle Eastern music. Even the male students enjoyed attempting the techniques of belly dancing. Introducing Brandeis students to Middle Eastern culture, the evening was not only entertaining, but enriching as well.