California school celebrates Turkey, its culture

By Vakkas Dogantekin</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Second grade students waved Turkish flags and sang the Turkish song &quot;Hasat Vakti&quot; (Harvest Time) by Maher Zain. </p> <p>Parents of the students shared the joy of their children.</p> <p>Zain composed the song for the 2018 election campaign of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. </p> <p>&quot;Our 2nd graders at Orange Crescent School celebrated Turkey during International Day today,&quot; Ahmad Al Mutawwa, the Kuwaiti-American administrator of the school, told Anadolu Agency. </p> <p>&quot;Students at the school and their parents have a great admiration and respect for Turkey,&quot; Mutawwa added. </p> <p>He said the Turkish television series &quot;Dirilis Ertugrul&quot;, 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. </p> <p>Orange Crescent School was founded in 1983 by the Islamic Society of Orange County, one of the biggest Islamic centers in the U.S. </p> <p>The school has a student population representing more than 20 nationalities, according to its website.