Pix11
Tuesday March 19, 2019
By Shirley Chan
MIDTOWN, Manhattan -- It's all about breaking barriers over breaking
bread. "Eat with Muslims" held its first dinner in New York City Monday
night.
"It's an opportunity to get to know what Islam is and what
Muslims believe," said Ilays Aden, co-founder of Eat with Muslims. "To
eat and to enjoy each other's company while building community I think
that's the best way to fight against Islamaphobia and this idea of being
afraid of Muslims."
Aden is Somali-American. She felt compelled to change the perception of Muslims.
"We really started from the increasing fears
Muslim-Americans have been feeling with increased hate crimes especially
after the 2016 election."
Since Eat with Muslims started two years ago, she's hosted
more than 50 meals in cities from Des Moines, Iowa to Bend, Oregon.
She's also met thousands of people.
"We've even brought together Muslims that didn't know they were in the same town, that thought they were the only ones."
Aden is Seattle-based, as is Eat with Muslims. One of their
first meals was with at Uber headquarters in Seattle, so it's fitting
their first meal is New York City is at Uber's midtown headquarters
here.
"There's surely a lot of diversity in our rider and driver
base and we always want to understand each other better, " said Nikki
Cuellar, manager of the Diversity and Inclusion Program at Uber. "It's
important for us to open our doors and to create some connections with
our drivers and with our riders."
Daisy Khan met Aden in Seattle and wanted to help break down
stereotypes, particularly in light of the mass shootings at two mosques
in New Zealand last week.
"It's the first since such a tragedy so it's even more
significant and symbolic uniting people bringing people together around a
meal," said Khan, executive director of the Women's Islamic Initiative
for Spirituality and Equality (WISE). "I think when we break bread
together we humanize one another we get to know one another we build
friendships we deepen our trusts with one another."
The belief is food has the power to bring people together.
On the menu tonight, Syrian fattoush salad, Iraqi red rice, a Sri Lankan
lentil dish and Afghan chicken karahi. All the food was catered by Eat
Offbeat - a company that trains refugees to become chefs. Invited
tonight are Uber employees, community activists and city residents.
"I think food brings people together especially good food,"
said Rami Abouemira. "The sense of community, sense of camaraderie just
draws something out of the human touch, the human soul that is deeper
than just having a basic conversation."
"For my students, it's truly a learning experience and it's
very human and special that we can all come together and share a meal
together," said Colette Mazzucelli, NYU Professor.
Eat with Muslims organizes two dinners a month. The hope is to have another one in New York City in the future.
"It's an opportunity not only for non-Muslims to learn about
Islam and get to know Muslim neighbors but for Muslims to find common
ground with Muslim friends in the community," said Aden.