As global conflicts continue to impact students, students are wondering how Sacramento State is working to provide a supportive, safe space for the community members who are feeling the effects. In recent weeks, escalating tensions between Israel, Iran and the U.S. has spread into wider instability in the Middle East. Even after the conclusion of SWANA Week on Friday, April 10, the SWANA Center and other campus resources continue to create a space to decompress.
SWANA week was filled with events spotlighting Southwest Asian and North African cultures, but the mission of embracing the community during this political climate continues. Marwa Al Khamees, director of the SWANA Center, said the space is designed to support students during times of stress year-round.
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“Our center on any given day, not just in light of recent events, is a resource for students to decompress, relax and to find community with each other,” Al Khamees said. “They can come in here and lounge, where they don’t have to explain themselves, and they can just exist authentically away from the pressures of the rest of campus.”
According to recent reports from AP News, long-standing tensions in the Middle East have escalated into a series of military exchanges and diplomatic standoffs. The situation has drawn in neighboring countries and international leaders, raising deeper concerns about political instability.
The center also introduced “SWANA Connections,” a weekly discussion space where students can gather and open up in a supportive environment. The sessions are intended to give students a safe space to process emotions and share experiences.
“A lot of students expressed feeling hopeless, feeling like they have to work extra hard to prove themselves,” Al Khamees said. “Between the staff members, the allies, and the other students that show up to that space, we can create a supportive environment for them to let out those thoughts and feelings because it’s not helpful to bottle them up.”
Jaze Piolo, a junior statistics major and internal vice president of the Muslim Student Association, said she has seen these struggles affect students firsthand. She said the SWANA Center is a resource available to help students feel more prepared to respond in situations of discomfort and stereotyping.
“There was some kind of stereotyping happening at the dining commons, and as a club, we can’t really do anything, but the first thing we thought of was, okay, the SWANA Center is there,” Piolo said. “They have faculty members who know about the Sac State system.”
Malalai Niazi, a sophomore statistics major, said the Muslim Student Association also continues to nourish a sense of belonging on campus. She said the organization focuses on creating a welcoming environment for students who may be struggling.
“We make them feel included on campus,” Niazi said. “It’s about having a space where people feel comfortable and supported.”
RELATED: Cultural showcase kicks off SWANA Week at Sac State
As international tensions continue to rise, the university has also acknowledged the emotional impact on students through a campus-wide message on Feb. 28. The email, titled “Community, Care and Resources in a Time of International Conflict,” was sent by the Office of Inclusive Excellence and addressed ongoing military actions.
“Whether you are worried about family members abroad, grappling with grief and fear, or simply struggling to process the weight of what is unfolding, you are not alone,” the email said. “We see you, and we are here.”