WASHINGTON– People on American University’s campus are planning to exercise their patriotism with traditional and nontraditional activities for the Fourth of July this year.
Imani Muleyyar, a media production assistant at AU, is taking a slightly different approach this holiday. Muleyyar plans to travel to Baltimore, Maryland to visit family and box and kick box with friends. He explained that any day he’s off work, he and his friends use to train for boxing.
Though he enjoys athletics, Muleyyar expressed the importance of family time on this day.
“It’s good to be around happy people,” Muleyyar said.
The owner of an on-campus hair salon and spa, TIGI Boutique, Taher Kahel, is trying something new on America’s birthday this year.
Kahel is participating in traditional firework watching of the National Mall festivities, but is watching them from a rooftop with friends. Though he is Tunisian born, he has been in America for half his life, and happily celebrates Independence Day every year by hanging out with friends and family and going to festive parties. Kahel joyfully punched his fist when answering if Tunisia’s Independence Day is as exciting as America’s.
“Of course it’s, exciting. We beat the French!” replied Kahel.
Kahel thoroughly enjoys the Fourth of July here with the same excitement.
“I think it’s a happy holiday, Independence Day,” said Kahel.
Amrong Chey, a Cambodian-American, said she will be participating in the typical activities for Independence Day this year by going to cook outs and watching the fireworks. She also spoke about the similar day held in Cambodia for the country.
“Everyone gets together with family and friends to celebrate the country,” Chey said
It is clear to see that no matter where people are from, America or outside of America, they still excitedly participate in Independence Day each year.