Angelica Babiera | Arts Editor
Featured Image: York’s Egyptian Student Association invited Egyptian actors Ahmad Elfishawy and Ahmed Malek to showcase the importance of diversity. | Courtesy of Sherif Louis
Diversity is one of the strongest attributes that York and Toronto both share. Both places are known to be tolerant and accepting of all races, sexualities, religions, and more. These values are paramount to everyone, and whenever we get the chance to celebrate them, we do it in a very explicit way. Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) exemplifies the ways Canadians celebrate diversity and acceptance, and has become a platform for individuality and connectivity.
At TIFF, many international films have been selected to showcase differing cultures and beliefs. One such example of this is the film Sheikh Jackson, which follows a Michael Jackson fan trying to cope with the death of his favourite celebrity. It explores the themes of finding balance in life, especially in religion, and humanly temptations, such as music. The audience is exposed to an eye-opening lifestyle different from Western norms and social expectations.
Meanwhile, at York, we have student associations like the Egyptian Students Association (ESYU), who strive to better the lives of Egyptian students. They offer services for the York community to excel in all areas, including professional development, personal development, and social growth. ESYU aims to make a sustainable community by uniting all Egyptians and Arabs across Canada. They continue to strive to educate others that Arabs and Egyptians can do anything, despite the harmful stereotypes towards them.
“We facilitate services to also help international students, many of whom are Egyptians. We’re trying to help them get more involved with the community by creating events like the annual soiree,” says Waleed Eltaweel, president of ESYU.
The association showed their kindness and hospitality by bringing Egyptian actors Ahmad Elfishawy and Ahmed Malek, stars of Sheikh Jackson, to showcase how important and influential diversity is in society and the film industry.
“Having Elfishawy’s film nominated at the Oscars is a big accomplishment for both Egyptians and every other community. It has brought Egyptian and international films onto a new level,” Eltaweel says. “His film’s screening at TIFF changed the way I saw Western international film festivals, since they focus on the quality of the film more than anything else. It doesn’t matter what race or who you are, but if you’re doing a high-quality job at your work, then they recognize you, which is fair for everyone. That’s how it should always be.”
Many Egyptians and Arabs came together to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at the Student Centre. Their excitement of hosting two celebrities at York—which the association worked remarkably hard on bringing to the university—shows how powerful anyone can be. The association is made up of students of a nationality often criticized for their culture and religion—yet they managed to bring in celebrities, symbols of success and diversity in the world.
ESYU celebrated everyone at the event, including people who are not Egyptian, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. They aim to make a difference in everyone’s lives, and do their best in creating a platform in which Egyptians can comfortably voice their opinions. This kind of motto is a strong statement of the multiculturality of the York and Toronto communities.
