February 27, 2019,

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) celebrated The Year of Tolerance by hosting its eight annual Global Day to recognize the various diverse nationalities enrolled in the University.

AURAK students, faculty, and staff joined in fellowship to peruse student-constructed booths displaying and distributing traditional food, music, dance, and knick-knacks representative of their native countries. The festivities kicked off with a parade of national flags across campus and the festival grounds, the playing of the UAE national anthem, a welcome speech, and The Stance of Unity by the AURAK Ambassadors. Then the audience was treated to performances by the winning competitors from AURAK’s previously held talent show, including instrumental performances by the Al Manar Private School and the Scholars Indian School and poem recitations from RAK Modern Private School and the Islamic Education School. AURAK’s Music Club performed and the festivities ended with traditional dances from Jordan, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Syria, Sudan, Palestine, Pakistan, Egypt, and Afghanistan.

AURAK’s Associate Provost for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Denise Gifford, commented that “The Global  Day event, so effectively  managed and coordinated by Student Life and the Student Government Association,  was  a tribute to and celebration  of the amazing diversity of our campus. We have much to be proud of in our diverse student body, and this wonderful celebration illustrated the unique global professional world our students will inherit.”

AURAK President, Professor Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, shared in Dr. Denise’s sentiments, “It’s amazing anytime numerous people are committed to learning about different cultures, dispelling fear attributed to cultural ignorance. In order to truly become a global community where we work together to move forward for the good of humanity, we must first understand and accept the different cultures from which people are coming. Initiatives such as Global Day lay the ground work for instilling cultural tolerance critical for the progress of humanity.”