On Thursday, November 7, 2024, the Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA) held its third annual MESA Basketball Tournament, raising $300 that will be donated to help persecuted Christians in Iraq and the Middle East. 

“The Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA) started a couple of years ago when a few students approached me with the idea. They wanted to create a space for students of Middle Eastern heritage to come together and share their culture with the rest of the school community. These students had a deep pride in their heritage and wanted to celebrate and showcase it. The club creates awareness and brings people together to understand Middle Eastern cultures, ethnicities, faith differences, and food,” stated Theology Teacher and Club Moderator, Alana Bahoura. 

The annual basketball tournament is a fun way to unite students by playing a sport while raising awareness and support for persecuted Christians in Iraq. Students are excited to participate knowing that their involvement helps a mission dedicated to helping those in need. Funds that are raised during the tournament are sent to helpiraq.org. 

According to their website, helpiraq.org provides support to persecuted Christians and other minority groups in their home countries, particularly those affected by the religious persecution of Christians by ISIS in June 2014. This primarily impacts villages with significant Christian populations, where many people have been displaced for over a year. 

Their mission includes, but is not limited to, offering essential resources such as food, shelter, clothing, and other basic needs. They also work to address the urgent humanitarian crisis and raise awareness of the ongoing religious and ethnic cleansing in the region.

“As a Chaldean whose parents were born in Telkaif, Iraq, I resonate strongly with their mission. My family, like many other Christian minorities, fled Iraq in search of a better life in America. This personal connection inspires my support for MESA and its goals,” stated Alana. 

MESA does not have any other events planned for this year. However, the students are currently brainstorming. The club meets every other month to discuss culture and play card games.

If you are interested in learning more about MESA, please contact Alana Bahoura at abahoura@catholiccentral.net.