In what some call a malicious act, fliers announcing Arab Xpressions — a program held by the Arab Student Association — have been torn down across campus. It is still uncertain what prompted the destruction of the fliers, said Sirene Abou-Chakra, a member of the Arab Student Association.

“All the fliers and literature for this huge event … have been taken down,” Abou-Chakra said. “They’re actually being destroyed. They are not taking down the stuff around (our fliers), so we are afraid that this is a malicious act.”

Arab Xpressions, a “comedy and poetry jam,” has been held for the last three years by the ASA with the support of numerous other organizations. The fliers have been torn down every year that the performance has been held, said Dana Baki, president of the Arab Student Association.

“We’ve put this show on for the past three years and ever year we deal with the same problem.

We put them up and within hours they’re turn down while (other fliers) are still intact,” Baki said.

Mahmoud Fadlallah, a student who helps post the fliers, expressed his dissatisfaction with the damage to the fliers.

Fliers that are posted Monday night ware usually torn down by Tuesday, Fadlallah said.

Abou-Chakra explained that at this time she has no idea who is responsible for the destruction.

“I think if someone looks at the sign and the first thing they see is Arab — people may get a sense of distaste for the word — maybe they just don’t want to see (the flier) up,” Abou-Chakra said.

“There is animosity in general towards Arabs,” Baki added.

Baki said she is uncertain of the culprits’ motive or identity, yet, she said she is suspicious that it may have to do with more than just the event.

“It’s unfortunate that such optimistic actions are being defaced and people are trying to sabotage an event whose intentions are clearly good,” Abou-Chakra added.

Signs have been put up in Angell Hall, the Michigan Union and many other places on campus, Abou-Chakra said.

“They’ve been put everywhere and they’re going to get put up again,” Abou-Chakra said. “It’s not going to stop us — its just making it more personal.”

“It is clear that a lot of people have animosity towards the Arab community in general … we all know there has been a lot of animosity towards them — especially after 9-11,” Baki added.

Abou-Chakra said that she did not see what could possibly be achieved by tearing down fliers.

“I don’t feel that anyone could gain anything by one of the events being unsuccessful. … It’s kind of a malicious act,” Abou-Chakra said.

Arab Xpressions will take place this Saturday night at 9:00 in the Michigan Union. The show is free of charge.