They represent just about every corner of the Muslim world. So when the parents crowded into the Washington Islamic Academy, the aromas from the steaming pots of chicken, lentils and rice wafted through the air along with the sounds of Arabic, English, Urdu and Farsi -- all coming from different tables.
Rahaf Nazer, a woman of Palestinian descent, sat with a section of Arab parents. Asmaa Adballah, holding her daughter's hand, joined another part of the table that was filled with African American converts. There were tables with parents from Afghanistan, parents from Pakistan, parents from Malaysia and parents from Ghana.
Those who gathered for a meeting of the newly formed Parent Teacher Association at the Muslim school in Springfield have different opinions and needs, but they have come together to talk about their children's educations.
As Muslim schools grow in the United States, they will face pressures and interest about what they teach not only from the outside world, but also from parents, who are gaining an increasing voice within the schools. The Islamic Saudi Academy is also starting a PTA this year.
"The idea is that we bring everyone together from the different Muslim countries who have different approaches, and we find common understanding in the fact that we are all here in America," said Saleh M. Nusairat, principal of the Washington Islamic Academy, who is an immigrant from Jordan. "Our role here is to get the best from each culture and do this within the American culture at the same time."
With such differing interests, some parents say that could be tough. Arab parents, for instance, may have different expectations for what their children learn about the Palestinian conflict from those born in Pakistan or in Falls Church.
"My daughter knows very much about what's going on in Palestine, and she wants to learn more," said Fayzah Nubari, whose daughter Wisaam is in the fourth grade. "But we know the school has a lot of people and things to teach about."
Adballah, whose daughter is in the third grade, said: "We care that she gets Islamic studies and learns Arabic and the Koran. We are converts, so we care more about learning the basics of the religion and less about the political stuff."
The fledgling PTAs also reflect the borrowing of ideas from U.S. public schools, since Muslim schools have traditionally had little or no parental involvement. And parents said the organizations could, in the end, benefit the school, because the PTAs will end up gathering all points of view.
Muslim educators said that no other group in Muslim America is as diverse as the PTAs and that it reminds them of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that brings together followers from around the globe.
"The idea in Islam is that Muslims do not bring big attention to where they come from, and what is important is being Muslim," Nusairat said. "Our parents believe this, and the idea is that we teach about any Muslim country or issue in a global fashion."
The PTA was started recently by Nusairat, who, like many school principals at public and private schools across the nation, wanted to get the parents more involved in their children's education.
At the Saudi Academy, the PTA has sparked so much interest that 40 parents have signed up for eight leadership slots, making elections necessary, said Abdulwahab Alkebsi, an active parent who has a 12-year-old daughter at the school.
Although less diverse than the Washington Islamic Academy, the PTA of the Saudi-financed school will have at least a half a dozen nations represented, Alkebsi said.
"There is huge diversity, and this is the first time that there is recognition that parents at ISA will be involved," Alkebsi said. "It's this new experiment, and we can't wait to see what happens. It's a very Americanized idea to do this PTA in the first place."
Alkebsi said he hopes the PTA will be able to influence what the school teaches about what Muslims believe are the very good parts of American values.
"I think the parents can have a real impact as these schools grow more a part of America," Alkebsi said. "I think these PTAs will spark real change, debate and growth. And that is the goal for our future."