Events unfolding half a world away directly affect members of a cultural club at Stagg High School in Palos Hills, putting even more responsibility on the shoulders of its sponsor.
English and music teacher Suzan Atallah chose to sponsor the Arab-American Heritage Club because of her own Palestinian background and experience as a Stagg student.
“Understanding that students’ culture and heritage are fundamental aspects of their identity, I felt compelled to support and celebrate these vital aspects of their lives. This year has posed unique challenges for our Arab students,” she said.
A freshman member of the club is from Gaza, Atallah said, and has shared “the heartbreaking reality” of current events in her native land.
“Hearing her recount how her mother’s home was destroyed reinforced my commitment to stand in solidarity with her and other students in our building who are navigating similar traumas and want their voices heard,” she explained.
As conflict continues in the Gaza Strip, even more students are joining the club, which has tripled in number. “This year in particular with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine, I noticed an increase in participation from students,” Atallah said. “They have a desire for their voices to be heard and for their identities to be acknowledged. We currently have about 40 members.”
Although the club has existed on and off for many years, under different names and leadership, in the fall of 2022 it “underwent a transformation, rebranding itself as the Arab-American Heritage Club to foster greater inclusivity among students,” Atallah said. “The club’s mission is to honor the diversity of our students and cultivate a deeper understanding of the vibrant Arab culture through education and awareness initiatives. I am confident that we are making significant strides toward achieving our mission.”
Part of that mission is celebrating Arab Heritage Month. The club has activities all month, such as a visit with state Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid on April 24 and a performance by the University of Chicago Middle Eastern Music Ensemble. A special focus is the week of April 8 to 12, when trivia games are offered throughout school halls via QR code, henna artists come during lunch periods, and facts, flags and information about famous Arab Americans are posted around Stagg. Everyone is welcome to participate in those activities.
But activities aren’t limited to April. The club held a Ramadan dinner March 20 featuring traditional food, and it will host a benefit May 22 called Harmony for Humanity that will feature the U of C Middle Eastern Music Ensemble. Stagg choir students and director Chris Betz will collaborate on the event, which will raise money for humanitarian aid to Gaza via Medglobal, an international organization with doctors “able to bring in crucial aid to civilians in Gaza,” Atallah said.
She’s also shown documentaries after school, and in November and December the club sold Palestine T-shirts and hoodies, raising more than $1,300 for MedGlobal. An upcoming event will feature a performance by local comedian Zaid Fouzi.
Mary Pat Carr, assistant principal at Stagg, praised Atallah’s work with the club.
“She really has had a great vision for what this multicultural month can look like,” Carr said. “She led the (planning) two years ago and many of our other groups have followed. They loved how she got musicians in during lunchtime. They put all of the different flags up from the different Arab countries. … She had a lot of ideas to engage our entire student body.”
Carr and others in the administration welcome student clubs such as this.
“This is something we’ve really focused on in the last couple of years — looking at clubs we have to offer and reflect our students,” she said. “We’re lucky at Stagg that we have such a multicultural community. … We are really proud of what our Arab American club has done. They have really set the tone for what clubs can do and other clubs have followed.”
Atallah said student reaction to the club has been positive. “Students are delighted to have a club that celebrates their culture, and I’m grateful for the support from administrators. … We are fortunate to have a supportive district that values cultural celebration,” she said.
The Arab world is made up of 22 countries, Atallah said, adding that the club “reflects the diversity of these nations, with students representing various backgrounds including Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Syria and Yemen. Given that Cook County has the highest population of Arabs in the nation, it’s no surprise that our club boasts a significant number of Palestinian members.”
Students were encouraged from April 8 to 12 to wear “kuffeya colors,” clothing representing one of the 22 Arab countries. “The initiative fosters a sense of unity and inclusivity through the school community,” she said.
Member Layla Fakhouri, a freshman, said the organization has taught her to “not be embarrassed by where you’re from.”
“All of the students’ ideas and opinions are heard,” Fakhouri said. “And Mrs. Atallah is also a very trusted adult in or out of the club. She’s patient and willing to be open with the students.”
Freshman Salma ElTillawi lives locally but her family originally came from Gaza, Palestine. “I joined the Arab Club to learn more about the Arabs in my community,” she said. “The Arab Club had a welcoming feel to it, so I decided that I wanted to be part of it.”
Some of her favorite activities are the ones promoting Palestine, such as the T-shirt and hoodie sale and “the iftar hosted for Ramadan on the 20th for those fasting to enjoy with friends.”
Member Suzie Shehayber has belonged for two years and has “come to realize how important our voice is.”
“Watching movies to learn about the genuine issues facing my nation is one of my favorite club activities,” Shehayber said. “Additionally, we discussed our plans for the future, such as our discussion of introducing traditional Arabic desserts to the school environment.”
Her family is pleased with her involvement in the club. “They believe that Arabs ought to form a club where they can talk about our culture and customs and educate more people about them,” she said.
Shehayber encouraged other students to join. “I would explain to them how becoming a member of the Arab club is a great way to get more knowledge about our customs and cultures. And what a lot of fun and excitement it is to organize new events, share them on social media to gain more exposure, and assist in putting up posters in schools that teach students about Arab culture!”
Mona Al Shaer, a senior at Stagg, has been a member for more than two years and joined because of the activities.
“Since we live in America, the Arab club made me feel like we’re doing something for my culture,” she said, adding that she never knew how to do dabke (cultural dance) until she joined.
She encourages other students to join. “I would say yes, come join it, no matter what their race is because we are all the same.”
The club has been more than just a social activity for Loreen Hourani, who’s been a member for a year.
“I’ve learned a lot about my heritage and my culture. Being in the club, I’ve been able to improve my language skills greatly. I have been able to speak Arabic with others and it’s taught me a lot,” she said. “I’ve also learned Dabke moves I hadn’t known before and taught them to other club members. Most importantly, I’ve learned leadership skills, such as how to plan activities, organize and decorate for school events, and how to keep the club running smoothly.”
Arab-American Heritage Club meets twice a month to discuss topics and to plan upcoming events.
“During those meetings, we prioritize listening to the voices of our students and encourage them to share their ideas and perspectives,” Atallah said. Students aren’t charged a fee to belong, and a local Arab American business, Eiffel Waffle in Chicago Ridge, has helped support the club with funding for pizza parties, club T-shirts and potentially establishing scholarships for Arab American students.
The administration also sets funds aside within the budget “to celebrate our special multicultural themed months,” Carr said, adding that the money is used to things such as decorations and services like vendor visits.
“We are really proud of the way that our clubs are evolving to tap into students’ interests, and our students are really interested in what makes them unique and special,” she said. “And they are learning what makes them common instead of different.”
Melinda Moore is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
