On April 3, Ruby Al-Sager ‘20 and Omar Aljedei ‘22 organized a Ghabqa event in collaboration with Amideast/Kuwait. The Ghabqa event is a traditional Kuwaiti gathering which takes place in the evening during the month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims have another dinner, often called a suhour, late at night so that they can last through the next day of fasting. Ghabqa is the Kuwaiti term for suhour. Those fasting will gather with friends or family at their home or a restaurant to enjoy a lavish meal. Women tend to wear fancy dara’a/abaya and men wear traditional dishdasha and ghutra. People mingle while enjoying their meal and listen to light music.  

The YES alumni Ghabqa event was hosted at the Marina Hotel in Salmiya. Katherine Garry, Cultural Affairs Officer, represented the U.S. Embassy. Five YES alumni attended the event, as well as two members of the U.S.-Kuwait Alumni Association (USKAA), who are both alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program. In addition, eight current YES finalists and alternates joined the event.  

The attendees enjoyed many different international foods, as well as lukaymat, a traditional Kuwaiti fried dessert which is only served during Ramadan. The alumni shared their experiences and memories of their host family and communities with Katherine Garry. She commented on how impressive the YES alumni are and shared how exciting it will be for the current finalists to participate in and return home from the YES program. The YES alumni enjoyed connecting with each other, the U.S. Embassy, and the current finalists and alternates, and discussed upcoming alumni activities they are excited to participate in.   

Ruby Al-Sager (YES 2019-2020, Kuwait, placed by AYA in Matthews, NC) 

Omar Aljedei (YES 2021-2022, Kuwait, placed by AYA in Franklin, TN)