Huge Success At URDU's Public Debate!

On Saturday, November 22^nd, debaters from the URDU teamed up with students from several other campus organizations – including the Association for the Development of Interest in the Indian Subcontinent (ADITI), who courageously participated in the debate – to have a public debate about arranged marriage. The debaters addressed this complex issue with great care, and argued vigorously for and against a ban on the practice.

Syed Reefat Aziz, left, waves away a point of information from Christopher Perkins, right.

What was even more enlivening about this event was the extent to which the audience of nearly 100 was engaged and eager to participate.

After the debate had ended, audience members were invited to line up to give brief floor speeches related to the topic of the debate. Some students commented on arguments that were not made in the debate, but they felt were important to address; some students commented on who they thought did the better job of debating; and some even shared their own personal experiences with arranged marriage.

Alex Hollenberg gives a floor speech after the debate while other audience members line up to give their own.

All in all this was an amazing event. This weekend URDU showed, once again, how valuable debate is to this university and its diverse body of students! Stay tuned for another public debate this spring!