National Migration Week celebrated in Jackson VIEW GALLERY
JACKSON — Zahra Noe, a native of Iran, is happy Catholic Charities Immigration Clinic is bringing the world together in Mississippi through the celebration of National Migration Week.
“Even though the rest of the country doesn’t think much about Mississippi, they need to come visit us because we are one of the best to put people together,” she said at the celebration held Jan. 21 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle parish center.
Noe thinks celebrations like this reinforce newly elected President Barack Obama’s philosophy that the whole world needs to be united.
The event drew a large crowd of people from different countries including students and the general public who were invited to view arts, crafts and enjoy food from various countries.
A group of Madison St. Joseph School juniors and seniors attended the celebration to learn about the diversity of nationalities living in Mississippi. Students interviewed countries’ representatives and tasted the diverse cuisine dishes laden on tables adorned with arts and crafts.
Mangok Mayen from Sudan, cultural specialist at the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program of Catholic Charities, had an exhibit from his country and answered questions about the program and his native country. He also presented a short love story in his native language.
Mayen said he felt honored to represent his country and help with the event whose goal is to create understanding between the native-born U.S. population and the immigrants and refugees living within and outside of their communities.
Bonu Faizi, a native of Afghanistan, offered participants advice about home remedies using plants and fruits.
Natalie Maya, director of the Mississippi Hispanic Association’s Folkloric Group, and Estela Olvera danced Mexican dances.
