Center offers enlightenment
Friday, February 2, 2007
By KAREN KELLER
HERALD NEWS
CLIFTON -- Tanweer, the first Arab-American community center in North Jersey, is
setting down its roots.
"We want the community to know we're here. We want them to come knocking on our
door," said Raja Salloum, the center's director.
The organization held its second event since opening in September, titled "Life
in America: Coping with the Stresses of Immigration," on Wednesday night in a
meeting room at the Clifton Public Library.
About 15Arab-American women and one man gathered to discuss ways they can
provide emotional support for each other -- and what kind of support is needed.
"I think it's an excellent idea. It's the old bootstrap method," said Badria
Mohamed,a Clifton resident, whose father is Egyptian and mother is Jamaican.
For now, Tanweer plans to hold a workshop at least once every two months at the
Clifton library. The Tanweer community center is at 1094 Main Ave., but it's a
small space, said Salloum. She added that Tanweer is funded only through private
donations and is seeking additional support. Tanweer, which serves North Jersey
Arab-Americans, regardless of their faith, means "enlightenment" in Arabic, said
Salloum.
Support of community members by community members is especially needed for
Arab-Americans, said Nora Alarifi Pharaon, a psychologist who lives in Bergen
County, and who was the event's guest speaker. The Arab-American community faces
more life stressors that can lead to mental health issues compared to the
general population, she said.
Many community members are immigrants: Their families are overseas, not nearby
to offer support.
Other stressors include perceived discrimination, and the fact that
Arab-American immigrants tend to be ambitious and therefore work long hours,
said Pharaon.
Then there's the stressor of feeling affected by events happening a world away,
she said.
"When the Middle East sneezes, we catch a cold," she said.
As for the age-old questions for any immigrant group -- how much should one
assimilate to U.S. culture? How much should one let one's children assimilate?
-- Pharaon said being "Arab-American"-- incorporating elements of both cultures
-- is the healthiest way to be. Many parents struggle with these questions, she
said.
As the event began, Pharaon asked those in attendance whether they preferred
that she speak in English or Arabic. Most said English, but at least one woman
said she didn't understand English very well.
Pharaon joked that she should speak in "Arabish," and ended up translating a few
key ideas into Arabic.
For more information on Tanweer, please call 973-470-0200.
Reach Karen Keller at 973-569-7158 or kellerk@northjersey.com.
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