Saturday, June 21, 2014
Atlanta celebrated World Refugee Day on this past Saturday in style. The Clarkston Community Center opened its doors and hosted 20 refugees and asylees from 12 different countries, including Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Bosnia, the Ukraine and Kenya, as they became naturalized citizens. There were cultural performances as well as food representing different cultures, children’s activities, musical performances and stories told by former refugees. World Refugee Day was officially adopted by the United Nations general assembly in December of 2000.
San Magar plays with bubbles during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
Angela Oh (left) performs during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
Jungha Kim (center) performs during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
Fata Jahic (center) from Bosnia and Azhar Hasan (left) from Iraq hold American flags as they wait to become naturalized citizens of the United States during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
Muhamed Alfargani (right) waits to become a naturalized citizen of the United States during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
Irine Mukta (left) holds an American flag as she shows it to her daughter Samara Alam during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
Leqaa Mageed (center) covers her heart with her hand as she sings the national anthem during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
Ngai Mang sings the national anthem during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
Roslia Trimino (right) takes an oath to become a naturalized citizen of the United States during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
Naturalization ceremony participants hold American flags during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
Mais Alrajab (right) is served a helping of food by Setphenie Lai during the World Refugee Day celebration at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on Saturday, June 21, 2014.