DEARBORN — Students and parents took a tour through the Middle East at Becker Elementary School’s “Cultural Fest” on Thursday, May 28.

The PTA coordinated the event, which was open to students, parents and community members after school hours. 

With the assistance of the school’s two Arabic-bilingual teachers, six classrooms were transformed into Middle Eastern countries. Participants walked through the school and enjoyed food and music and learned about the customs and traditions of Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Morocco, Iraq and Yemen. 

Students were given passports at the beginning of the event and traveled from room to room to experience a feel of every country. Videos also helped educate students about the history and culture of a particular country.

Each classroom also included artifacts and clothing, donated by local parents. 

Nofila Haidar, a member of the PTA, said the purpose of the event was to highlight the similarities and differences among countries in the Middle East. 

“We want our children to know that, yes, they are from the Arab world, but there are other cultures and dialects and we can all unite and collaborate together,” Haidar said. 

Haidar noted that the school is aiming to erase an invisible line that is often drawn by community members when it comes to identifying themselves through nationality. 

Local parent Ayda El-Saghir echoed those sentiments. 

“We are honoring our community’s heritage and diversity,” El-Saghir said. “We wanted the kids to feel respect and value for their country of origin, but also recognize diversity and making meaningful contributions in a democratic society.” 

El-Saghir said the planning of the event took months of organizing, but because the school has such a diverse group of families from various countries in the Middle East, they were able to effortlessly collect artifacts, clothes and food. 

The two hour event led to hundreds of community members coming out to participate. El-Saghir said the PTA plans on expanding the event in the future.

“We have such a great volume of parent involvement, that it all came together so wonderfully,” El-Saghir added. “Hopefully, in upcoming years we will be able to represent all the countries in the world and not just the Middle East.”  

While Becker comprises a predominantly Arab American student body, Haidar noted that the event was also eye-opening for students and faculty who aren’t of Arab descent. 

“They are aware that they are amongst Middle Eastern people, but they didn’t know the unique traits of every country,” Haidar noted. 

At the tail end of the event, students and parents gathered in the gym for an assembly. 

Students from Maple School, another elementary school in east Dearborn, were also in attendance to perform as a Dabke troop. Other Becker students engaged in traditional dance numbers from various countries.

Becker Principal David Higgins told The Arab American News that the student body at Becker is uniquely diverse; and in most cases, students demonstrate respect and understanding toward one another. 

“The turnout was overwhelming,” Higgins said. “It was important for everybody to recognize the true diversity that we have here. Different countries and cultures were represented and it was important for everybody to identify with them.”

Dearborn Public Schools’ Associate Superintendent Jill Chocol also attended the event. She told The Arab American News that she applauds local parents for demonstrating solidarity to their children. 

“I thought this was an event that brought together families as well as the school community together,” Chocol said. “The food, the dresses, the culture, the artifacts and all of the things that represent the countries was a great way to bring these families together. The parents put all of this together and it demonstrates the partnerships they’ve formed.”