This report was written by Hatchet Reporter Jenny Suzdak.

Arabic news network Al-Arabiya broadcasted a video of GW’s chapter of the College Democrats celebrating President Barack Obama’s State of the Union in January.

The video, featuring students at the CD’s watch party discussing Obama’s first year in office, was also posted on Al-Arabiya correspondent Muna Shikaki’s YouTube channel on Friday.

The report – translated from Arabic into English by Arabic professor Jennifer Tobkin – said “youth activism and enthusiasm was one of the essential elements in Obama’s win, but what is their opinion now a year after he assumed power.”

Shikaki said she wanted to interview a student group because youths were so crucial to Obama’s campaign.

Michael Garber, College Democrats communications director, said he was contacted through Facebook.

“Al Arabiya contacted myself and several other members of the [College Democrat] board through Facebook messages, likely getting our information through our Facebook group,” Garber said. “After the message, we spoke via e-mail and the phone to plan their report.”

Because of the time difference, the State of the Union aired live in the Middle East on Jan. 28. News channels broadcasted the live feed during the morning but many caught clips of the speech and the ensuing commentary on the news, Shikaki said.

Shikaki said the speech unsurprisingly focused on domestic issues, not foreign policy, making the speech more irrelevant in the Arab world.

“Students in the Middle East weren’t going to watch the speech live,” she said.

Shikaki said she was surprised by the reactions from GW students.

“I was expecting students to be slightly more disappointed with what was going on,” she said.