Henna as Cross-Cultural Understanding: A Celebration of Connection Through Art

At a “How to Do Henna” event offered in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs, Al Liwan Qatari Student Club, and the South Asian Society, students learned about the cultural significance of henna across different regions.

The event was part of the university’s Iktashif  Qatar initiative which aims to share local culture with international students. 

“The collaboration with Iktashif Qatar, Al Liwan, and South Asian Society showcased the diversity within our community and provided an opportunity for students to share traditions in an inclusive and engaging way,” said  Angela Marongiu, Student Support Manager, adding, “It was wonderful to see students from different backgrounds come together, enjoy the experience, and celebrate the artistry of henna.”

Skilled henna artists demonstrated the intricate designs while students explained its significance and use for weddings, religious festivals, and rites of passage in their home countries.

“My favorite part was when the students started trying henna themselves and sat together to practice on their friends,” shared Sakhra Riyaz (Class of 2025) who helped organize the event as a member of the Iktashif Qatar team.  The room filled with laughter and camaraderie as students learned and exchanged creative ideas while applying henna designs on one another.

Rana Saad, Academic Affairs Specialist, and henna veteran provided tips and tricks on holding the cone and ensuring a lasting design, as well as sharing insights into the art form’s cultural importance in Qatar. “I remembered how, as kids, we would get henna for Eid. My grandmother would prepare it in the traditional way and apply it to our hands, wrapping it with cloth overnight to achieve a deep color,” she recalled.  

By blending learning with creativity and tradition, Iktashif Qatar provides an opportunity for intercultural understanding and exchange, and is just one of the ways that GU-Q fosters cultural understanding and engagement with diverse traditions within the university community.