This Muslim chef is sharing her religion one meal at a time
She is also the first woman to compete on Fox's Masterchef in a headscarf
A Detroit-based social worker and blogger is using food to help people understand her faith.
Amanda Saab who is also the first woman to compete on Fox's Masterchef in a headscarf, has been inviting guests to her home for over a year to have open conversations about being Muslims in America today, over a freshly cooked meal prepared by herself.
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Saab thought of the idea while watching the news after work one day. She wrote on her blog how frustrated she had become with the way Islam was depicted in a negative light. It occurred to her that she wanted to make herself more available and welcoming to people who may have questions about Islam.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJEnqpxjTpH/?taken-by=amanda.saab
Initially, Saab and her husband invited a small group of colleagues, friends and strangers for a small interfaith dinner. Since then, they've had several dinners and she has also taken the event to universities.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN-5Zv2hL9b/?taken-by=sia_umd
“For us, culturally and religiously, it’s so important to be hospitable and treat others with respect and kindness,” Saab said. “So lets start at a basic fundamental need that we all need, which is nourishment and let’s not only nourish our stomachs, but let’s nourish our minds.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQdR2_ggwHy/?taken-by=amanda.saab
Earlier this week, Saab and a few of her guests gathered at her home in Detroit for a meal. According to a Facebook post, the menu offered salmon, pesto chicken with pasta, roasted potatoes, asparagus, fig and goat cheese crostini and a citrus salad.
Saab then took to Facebook to thank her guests for their compassion and willingness to engage in an important and invigorating conversation.
[fbpost link="https://www.facebook.com/amanda.b.saab/posts/10154529152745817"]
“I enjoyed hearing your perspectives and experiences and hope we can continue to work together to make our world the place we want it to be,” she wrote.