Discover the richness of Syrian culture and tradition

Join us as we showcase the beauty and diversity of Syrian heritage through events, activities, and educational opportunities.

Syrian History with the SCA team
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About us
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The “Syrian Cultural Association of Ottawa” (SCA) is a non-profitable, non-religious, and non-political club that seeks to portray Syrian culture and history accurately and in a non-biased form. The goal of the club is to impartially and objectively present the long and deep-rooted history of Syrian culture, tradition, cuisine, and dialect. The club serves to support and unite members of the Syrian and Arab communities of Ottawa by hosting a variety of social events showcasing Syrian tradition and values. The establishment of this distinctive cultural club seeks to foster an environment of diversity, community, and harmony among people of various backgrounds and beliefs. Our mission is to dispel prevalent misconceptions about Syrian culture while promoting awareness, appreciation, and understanding of Syria, its people, and their values. Our team is made up of tenacious leaders that are eager to creatively showcase their Syrian heritage. As a team, we are determined to correct the image of Syria and its history in the eyes of the Ottawa community and surrounding areas.
Team
Presidents
Joelle Makdessi
Joelle Makdessi
Founder & President
Second year Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa. From Homs, born and raised in Canada. Favourite Arabic food is mloukhiye!
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Ghazal Alsaleh
Ghazal Alsaleh
Vice President
Second year Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ottawa. Born in Aleppo and raised in UAE. Favourite Arabic food is mloukhiye!
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Event Team
Rita Hariz
Rita Hariz
Event Executive
Third year Conflicts Studies and Human Rights with a minor in Public Administration at the University of Ottawa. From Dar3a and raised in Beirut. Favourite Arabic food is mloukhiye!
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Walidah Alrifai
Walidah Alrifai
Event Executive
Second year Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ottawa. From Homs and raised in UAE. Favourite Arabic food is me7shi malfoof!
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Finance Team
Elie Kouz
Elie Kouz
Finance Executive
Third year Civil Engineering at Carleton University. Born and raised in Aleppo. Favourite Arabic food is kebe mja2ja2a!
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Joud Koumi
Joud Koumi
Finance Executive
Second year Business Technology Management at the University of Ottawa. From Homs and raised in Riyadh. Favourite Arabic food is kibbeh labaneiah!
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Social Media Team
Firelle Kouz
Firelle Kouz
Social Media Executive
First year Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ottawa. Born and raised in Aleppo. Favourite Arabic food is mloukhiye!
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Mira Sleiman
Mira Sleiman
Social Media Executive
Second year Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa. From Homs and raised in Dubai. Favourite Arabic food is wara2 3enab!
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Design Team
Ahmad Alrkad
Ahmad Alrkad
Design Executive
Second year Civil Engineering at Carleton University. From Deir Ezzor and raised in Kuwait. Favourite Arabic food is kebe meshwie and Arabic sweet is halawet el jebn!
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Rain Alkhalel
Rain Alkhalel
Design Executive
Third year Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa. Born and raised in Dar3a. Favourite Arabic desert is layali al milad!
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Internal Team
Sedra Hamida
Sedra Hamida
Internal Executive
First year Civil Engineering and Computing Technology at the University of Ottawa. From Homs, born and raised in UAE. Favourite Arabic food is freekeh!
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Maria Alshahhaf
Maria Alshahhaf
Internal Executive
Second year Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ottawa. Born and raised in UAE. Favourite Arabic food is kusa me7shi!
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Want to join the team?

Send us your resume and let us know why you’ll be a good addition on the team and we’ll get back to you.

Events