Hundreds of students at the University of Maryland (UMD) came together on a sunny afternoon for the annual First Look Fair (FLF) on Thursday, September 10. FLF is the first introduction to all the extracurriculars, sports, communities, and opportunities campus life has to offer. Between 10 AM and 3 PM, the entirety of McKeldin Mall was filled with hundreds of bustling booths and students gathering to explore and connect with one another. First Look Fair was an opportunity for members of the Muslim community and other students to connect over shared interests and explore their hobbies and passions.
Palestinian Cultural Club (PCC)
Among the clubs in First Look Fair was the Palestinian Cultural Club (PCC), which aims to gather and unite students of all backgrounds in celebration of and protest for Palestine. The club’s table stood out thanks to the bright green and red of their Palestinian flags, and included samples of Palestinian Tatreez embroidery, small jars of Za’atar, and the traditional keffiyeh/hatta. The PCC works to create a shared sense of belonging among Palestinian students, showcasing the country’s culture and traditions and as their Instagram says, “building community through culture.” At their FLF table, PCC informed students of the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) Welcome GBM on September 10 in Tawes Hall and offered an opportunity to join the PCC Board. Students can keep an eye out for those applications on Instagram, and can also stay tuned for information about their upcoming Tatreez Night and Malouba event. The Palestinian Cultural Club can be found on Instagram at @pccumd.
UMD’s Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy Center
At the center of First Look Fair was a table run by the Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy center (MICA). In partnership with the Unity Center, MICA works to serve students by “educating on issues related to disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religion, and their intersections!” Their table was filled with flyers, QR codes to connect, and stickers for many different causes — such as a flyer with Native Hawaiian activist Haunani-Kay Trask’s famous words: “resistance is its own reward.” MICA’s FLF table showcased their September 11 Indigenous New York Fashion Week Livestream event, where students gathered in the Wave Lounge in the Unity Center to watch the Contemporary Culture Runway Show, connect with others, and engage in conversation. MICA can be found in-person within the Stamp Student Union or on Instagram at @umdmica.
CROWN Club
Hidden in the rows of FLF was the CROWN Club, the first UMD club dedicated to honouring the many beautiful natural hair types and textures. CROWN stands for Confidence, Radiance, Ownership, and Wellness, all done Naturally. The CROWN Club was founded just this past summer by a group of six individuals with the intention of dismantling the stigma surrounding textured hair and, CROWN representatives at FLF told Al-Hikmah, “empowering women through authenticity.” Students can keep an eye out for their September 15 World Afro Day celebration, which will take place in Jimenez Hall at 5 PM. The CROWN Club can be found on Instagram at @crown_umd.
Muslim Women in Medicine
In addition to the many clubs that honour culture and diversity, FLF also featured many academic clubs and organizations, such as the UMD chapter of Muslim Women in Medicine (MWM). MWM seeks to empower Muslim women in healthcare and related fields, helping members network and find resources to succeed in professional development and academics. MWM’s booth at FLF featured an informational trifold, a wheel spin game, and cute trinkets for guests to take. The club offers events like sisters’ wellness retreats, halaqahs, iftars, and student panels, all with the goal of — as their FLF board detailed —,“connecting religion, career, and culture.” Students can keep an eye out for the MWM picnic on September 15, which will take place at 6 PM at Washington Quad. MWM can be found on Instagram at @mwm_umd, where students can keep an eye out for more events and opportunities!
For many students, the 2026 First Look Fair was a chance for students to come out, gather in a shared space, and explore both new and current interests. Students who missed FLF can catch up on clubs and activities at the Second Look Fair, which takes place annually at the start of the spring semester in the Stamp Student Union.
Image credits: Cover photo by Tasnia Ashraf for Al-Hikmah.
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