A gathering at Oak Lawn Community High School highlighting the cultures of the school’s students from Egyptian, Sudanese and Syrian backgrounds also was a chance to also celebrate the school’s cultural diversity.
At the same time, the event also was a fundraising vehicle for Sudanese families in the U.S. who fled the civil war in their home country, many who are struggling to survive here.
“We need to raise awareness for the people of Sudan because not a lot of people know what’s going on,” said Sarah Elamin, a senior, who performed a Sudanese dance with several other students from Sudan.
“People have unfortunately had to flee war to seek refuge in America. That’s why we’re raising the money, to help with any needs,” said Elamin, noting she and her family have been unable to return to visit Sudan because the airports were destroyed.
Rawan Sharfi, another student from Sudan, dedicated her words to “my beloved country,” telling the story of her family being displaced by the war and their home looted and destroyed.
“My uncle was killed by the RSF (Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group), yet my story is only one of the countless Sudanese around the world,” she said. “Today we have an opportunity to rebuild those lives, together we can help them rise again.”
Rory Ali, a senior whose family is from Egypt, performed Salma ya Salamah, an Egyptian song by singer Dalida, along with students and family members Rizan and Ann Ali, Lojayen and Sedra Kamel and Yosra Saleh as Mohammed Abuelhawa played the riqq, a traditional Arabic percussion instrument.
The anthem “celebrates the soul of the nation and the profound joy of returning to its soil,” Ali said. “It means a whole lot to me to be singing her song. She is me, I am her.”
Abuelhawa said he did some painstaking research on the riqq, which he has been practicing for months.
“I began to listen to old Arabic music and think it (the riqq) is really crucial to the rhythm and creating sharp sounds,” he said.
Ali also joined fellow students and children to reenact an Egyptian baby shower (El-Sabeu), which is meant to celebrate and protect the baby and takes place seven days after birth. It includes scattering salt, the mother stepping over the baby seven times, carrying the baby around, children carrying makeshift lit candles and at the end, receiving candy.
It was a chance to showcase more of her culture.
“I’m excited to show we’re more than pyramids,” Ali said.
Marwa Elmasry, a Oak Lawn Community High School World Languages/Arabic teacher who also sponsors the Arabic Honor Society and planned and coordinated the event, was born in Egypt and lived for a time in Sudan. She wore an Egyptian dress from Nubia and items from her home were on display in a room where the different cultures highlighted their art and artifacts.
“I’m especially very happy because we are celebrating my country Egypt and my second country Sudan, because I lived there,” she told the audience.
She noted that her long dress was from Nubia, which is in Southern Egypt/North Sudan.
“It’s a connection between Sudan and Egypt,” said Elmasry.
Many participating students are in Arabic 3 Honors and Arabic 4 Honors classes and the Arabic Honor Society club.
Elmasry said six students in the school are from Syria, 4 students from Egypt and 11 students from Sudan. A number of families and students are from Palestine.
The event also featured a video about the three countries and fundraising for Sudan, poetry readings, a Kahoot game about the three dialects and prizes, Henna and face painting, Syrian dance, a Sudanese wedding reenactment, fashion show and ethnic food.
“You get to see people who are from that place,” said student Jayda Shouman, whose family is from Palestine. “It’s always important to speak up for people who can’t.”
“We’re spreading the word that all cultures matter,” said student Ghofran Ouarerhni, whose family is from Morocco.
Parents at the event said they were proud of their sons and daughters and happy to participate in the event.
“This way we learn about every culture,” said Abeer Ahmad, one of the parents, who is from Palestine. “Sometimes there’s misunderstandings. This way we show people the best of us.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.