As I was developing Arabia Flex’d, one of my goals was to create a space for open dialogue within the Yemeni-American community. While our culture is deeply communal, there are very few spaces where we can openly talk about the complexity of growing up Yemeni in the United States. Conversations about identity, family expectations, religion, sexuality, and belonging often remain private or unspoken.

Knowing these conversations might touch on layered and sometimes difficult experiences, I invited Somer Saleh, a Yemeni-American therapist from Brooklyn, to help facilitate the group. She helped guide the conversation, hold space for vulnerability, and ensure that discussions remained respectful and grounded, even when the topics were emotionally complex.

The experience was transformative for all of us. Sharing our stories created moments of recognition where many of us realized we had carried similar experiences quietly for years. Some stories resonated with everyone in the room, while others reflected experiences only a few people shared. For those who hadn’t lived those particular experiences, it was eye-opening to hear them spoken aloud and to understand the many ways Yemeni identity can take shape in the diaspora.

By the end of the conversation, everyone had learned something new about each other and themselves. For me, I left the meeting grounding my own identity in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I left feeling more connected to my community and my own Yemeni identity.

Beni Mun? meetings occur seasonally. If you would like to participate please reach out via email: ghassangazali@gmail.com or insta: ghassangazali

Somer’s closing thoughts on the first event

somersalehlmft.com