By Katlin Sweeney

Features Editor

On Sunday, Dec. 2, the Arab-American Association will be hosting their “Nightmare Before Christmas” event to celebrate a Lebanese holiday. The event will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in The Clarke Field House Grand Salon.

“In Lebanon, the women are the bomb, and the people celebrate Eid el Barbara in December, a Halloween-type celebration,” said Amira El-Khaouli, president of the Arab-American Association on campus. “The legend of Barbara dictates that she escaped persecution from the Romans by disguising herself in costumes and hiding in caves in the mountains. Her story is celebrated with feasts, decadent desserts and trick-or-treating by children. Everyone is encouraged to dress in costume.”

Taking its theme from the fact that the holiday is like a Halloween in December, the “Nightmare Before Christmas” party will be a non-denominational, non-religious event where those in attendance are encouraged to show up in costume.

A $100 scholarship will be awarded to the best-dressed CSUSM student and a $25 gift certificate to Sheikh (in the Escondido mall) for the best-dressed runner up. While only CSUSM students are eligible for the scholarship, anyone can win the gift certificate, but you must register at the event. Those who attend will enjoy not only Arabian music from around the globe, but from musicians with a Middle Eastern background like Shakira.

Food will be served to those who attend, such as kabobs, rice, salad, dessert and Halloween candy. The event hosts will give dinner and refreshments to the the first 100 people who show up. Coffee will also be available to anyone who needs it for staying up late to study. More information can be found by emailing [email protected].