DEARBORN — On this Sunday afternoon, the outside of Osama Bazzi’s house looks like a typical Muslim family celebrating the Eid. Children and adults sitting outside greeting and hugging each other, Food, sweets and gifts are also visible to the eye. Upon entering her house however, it might surprise you to see a four sided four foot tall Kaaba standing in the middle of the living room.

As many as 15 children in the family hold hands and travel around the Kaaba at least seven times before they receive their “Hajj” or “Hajeh” title. As a reward for completing their Hajj journey, the children, who range from two to ten years, are then given gifts by the parents.

That’s because for the last three years, Bazzi has built a Kaaba in her house for her four children and relatives to pray across. The family tradition, which started three years ago, involves relatives coming over for breakfast on the morning of the Eid and then traveling to the Hajj right afterwards.

As many as 15 children in the family hold hands and travel around the Kaaba at least seven times before they receive their “Hajj” or “Hajeh” title. As a reward for completing their Hajj journey, the children, who range from two to ten years, are then given gifts by the parents.

“We live in a very diverse world and I think it’s important for children to know what culture they come from,” Bazzi stated. “The younger we get them used to what the expectations are based off of our culture, the more they will understand it growing up in a different society.”

While many observers might find this practice unique, this tradition certainly doesn’t feel out of the norm for the children in the family who are growing up expecting it year after year.

 “The children get super excited…they start talking about it one month prior,” Bazzi stated. “We don’t want them growing up thinking the Eid is just about receiving money from relatives,” she added.

For her to set up the Kaaba in the living room, it takes Bazzi about 3-4 hours of work. Each year, it has gotten taller along with the kids to document their growth through the years. 

“We started off the first year with a very small Kaaba, which was our regular table,” Bazzi stated. “Each year we add on one more layer to make it apparent that as the kids are growing, the Kaaba is growing along with them.”

After completing their task, the kids are then given a particular gift by every single member in the family, as a reward for what they have done.

“Growing up in the United States, all of these children will have to hear about Christmas and Santa Claus, this is sort of our way for making our holiday fun for them,” said Amne Samra, Bazzi’s sister-in law. “Children in general love to get gifts, but hopefully this tradition will make them realize the purpose of Hajj when they get older.”

Bazzi, who is a former teacher at Star Academy International in Dearborn, has been given great recognition and appreciation by her family for hosting this event every year at her home.

“It brings the family closer,” added Samra. “I really appreciate all the hard work she has put into it and she deserves to be recognized.”