October 17, 2012 STAFF/STU

---

Today: Syrian-American hip hop artist Omar Offendum

The Middle Eastern Student Association and the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion present Omar Offendum, Syrian-American hip hop artist and activist, on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Donahue Auditorium.

Omar is known for his commitment to bridge the divide between Western and Middle Eastern cultures through music and poetry in order to provide conversation and deep understanding between the two.

Local Cleveland poets Phil Metres and Nadeen Aljijakli will be opening for Omar.

The program is open to the public and admission is free for JCU students (with ID). Tickets are $3 for non-JCU students (with ID) and $5 for non-students.

All proceeds will go to the Life for Relief and Development which provides “Syrians inside Syria and refugees in neighboring countries all possible means of assistance by providing them food, bedding, and kitchen utensils since the crisis in Syria started.”

Please note: though at first glance it may seem as if a particular political point of view may be shared at this event, MESA and the CSDI intend to strictly provide a space for discussion and celebration of diversity through Omar’s music. Similarly, Life for Relief and Development is “devoted to providing humanitarian aid to people regardless of race, color, religion and cultural background.”

For more details on this event and/or background information on the entertainer, please visit our Facebook page.

For more information, please contact Diana Naoum at dnaoum14@jcu.edu or Salomon Rodezno at srodezno@jcu.edu.