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Overcast Mepham explores Middle Eastern and South Asian culture
A celebration of song, dance, food
The auditorium at Mepham High School in North Bellmore closely resembled a scene from an Indian film as four young dancers took the stage to perform a modern take on a classic form of Bollywood dance. Embellishing their ornate dresses were golden sequins, forming patterns across their bright pink tops.
“Give it up for the Bolly Arts dancers,” sophomore Rina Sarfraz said. Applause followed.
Sarfraz herself donned a dusty rose shalwar kameez, a traditional South Asian outfit, topped with a matching hijab. Her mission for the night was clear: to help the Bellmore and Merrick communities better understand her culture and religion at Mepham’s Middle Eastern and South Asian Culture Night.
Mepham takes in students from North Bellmore and North Merrick.
Helping peers understand Islam
“Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, one quote from the Quran has never been more true,” said Habeeb Ahmed, first vice president of the Islamic Center of Long Island. “Whoever kills one innocent person unjustly, it is as though he has killed all mankind. Whoever saves a life, it is as though he has saved all of mankind.”
Ahmed was the night’s special guest. The school club A World of Difference put the event together, with support from Mepham Principal Michael Harrington and the club’s adviser, science teacher Josephine Parlagreco.
“The morning of Sept. 11 changed everything for Muslims in America,” Ahmed said. “We are all innocent people trying to make a living one moment, and then the next, terrorists changed the perception of Islam. ISIS is committing crimes in the name of my religion, and I say, ‘That’s not in the name of my religion; that is not my religion.’”
Students listened as Ahmed described Islam in detail. “It is important to understand what Islam teaches in the light of terrorism,” he said. The audience comprised mostly high school students, each absorbing Ahmed’s words. “As Muslims, we have to believe in ourselves,” he said. “In the 60 to 80 years we are on this Earth, we have to make sure we make a presence on this Earth.”
