The Bakersfield College Delano Campus held their first student club event on Friday, Sept.18.

The Delano Multicultural Club plans to provide knowledge to students and faculty about different cultures through “lectures, movies, books, community leaders and resources, and cultural events,” said Abeer Hassan, 20, president of the DMC.

Hassan, the founder of the club, established it because she wanted students and people from Delano to be informed about other cultures.

“I suffered from racism and people judging me in high school because I’m Muslim,” said Hassan.

The Ramadan month, a celebration for Muslims, was the initial beginning of the clubs explored culture. According to the events PowerPoint presentation, “Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, takes place during the ninth month of the Muslims lunar calendar.”

In order to allow for complete devotion of the religion, Muslims must fast from dawn until sunset the complete month. Imam, a guest that presented an over-view of Ramadan and led prayer, said “fasting allows for greater spiritual concentration, generating empathy for the hungry, and cleansing the body of overindulgence.”

At the event, there were a variety of Middle-Eastern food, flags, origami and Henna art. The Henna art was being done by Hassan, who said, “It’s a form of art on the body that makes Muslim women look beautiful on their wedding or holidays.”

Henna art is not a form of tattoo that requires a needle. It is rather made of tea, flower petals and water and as such is “smooth and doesn’t hurt or affect the skin,” said Hassan.

It’s important for students and community members to be involved in learning about different cultures according to Jay Barrett, Bakersfield College adjunct communication professor.

“When it comes down to it, there are more similarities than differences when we analyze all cultures, which helps to break barriers,” he said.