Al-Bustan is Philly’s beacon for Arabic culture in Donald Trump’s age of hate
Founder Hazami Sayed believes anti-Arab sentiment is a product of misunderstanding. The solution? Show students the beauty of the Arab world by engaging them with its art, culture and language — and local funders are loving it.
July 12, 2016 | Generocity | Tony Abraham
…Sayed said Al-Bustan’s impact on Philadelphians’ perceptions of Arabic culture may be small, but what it lacks in size it makes up in strength. The nonprofit is charged with representing a robust and ancient culture that has been misunderstood, reduced and dismissed by many in the Western world.
It’s a daunting task, and Sayed knows it. But a single summer stroll through her garden is enough to reassure doubters that she’s capable of doing it, seed by seed.
“We just take comfort in knowing we’re changing one person at a time,” she said, pausing to take a sip of her chilled mint-infused water. “It’s a drop in the bucket, but you’re changing the minds and views of people, and we hope that has a ripple effect.”
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