At the Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA), students come together to celebrate and share Middle Eastern culture in community.

MESA Co-Chair Mahmood Al-makhamil said a goal of the organization is to make Middle Eastern culture known to the greater WSU community. For this reason,  they will hold an informational open house Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 12-2 p.m.

“This center is open for everyone,” he said. “All students are welcome to come here, hang out, print, study, do whatever.”

Al-makhamil said he would like to dispel misconceptions about Middle Eastern culture that he believes are common at WSU.

“This place has nothing to do with religion,” he said. “In fact, that is something we don’t even speak about – ever.”

Al-makhamil said MESA holds several events each semester, including the biggest ones around Mom’s and Dad’s weekends that provide food, entertainment and henna tattoos, among other things.

Coordinator and Advisor for MESA Philip L. Sinapati said MESA is “just another place for students to study.” The club plans to expand its horizons by reaching out to WSU students, he said.

“There’s a rich culture and heritage of Middle Eastern people, and they’re well represented here at WSU,” said Sinapati.

MESA plans to hold several events in the near future, including a blood drive, he said.

MESA is located in LL47 on the bottom floor of the CUB.