California school celebrates Turkey, its culture

By Vakkas Dogantekin

ANKARA (AA) - Students at a Muslim school in the U.S. state of California celebrated Turkey and its culture Friday on the school's International Day.

Second grade students waved Turkish flags and sang the Turkish song "Hasat Vakti" (Harvest Time) by Maher Zain.

Parents of the students shared the joy of their children.

Zain composed the song for the 2018 election campaign of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Our 2nd graders at Orange Crescent School celebrated Turkey during International Day today," Ahmad Al Mutawwa, the Kuwaiti-American administrator of the school, told Anadolu Agency.

"Students at the school and their parents have a great admiration and respect for Turkey," Mutawwa added.

He said the Turkish television series "Dirilis Ertugrul", which narrates the story of the foundation of the Ottoman Empire, has had a big impact on Muslims in California in terms of connecting with Turkish culture.

Orange Crescent School was founded in 1983 by the Islamic Society of Orange County, one of the biggest Islamic centers in the U.S.

The school has a student population representing more than 20 nationalities, according to its website.