Muslim MasterChef fights Islamophobia, one dinner at a time

Saab is also first female Muslim to be competing with headscarf on Fox's 'MasterChef'

A Muslim Michigan-based social worker and blogger, Amanda Saab, is inviting strangers over for dinner to fight Islamophobia.

The 28-year-old is showing how passion for food and a generous nature can bring people together, despite all the fear and hatred. Saab hosts dinners called "Dinner With Your Muslim Neighbour."

For over a year, Saab has invited strangers over to her house and served a home cooked meal while indulging in conversations about what it's like to be a Muslim in the US in this day and age.

PHOTO COURTESY: FACEBOOK / AMANDA SAAB

The concept of "Dinner With Your Muslim Neighbour" struck Saab when, while watching the news, she felt that Islam wasn't being portrayed for what it actually is. She realised that there is a major lack of knowledge with regards to what Islam is and what being a Muslim is all about and questioned herself , "Have I played a part in that? Have I not reached out to people and given them an opportunity to meet me?"

However, Saab was not alone in her efforts, with the support of her husband, Hussein Saab, they started by calling over a few friends, colleagues and some strangers for an interfaith dinner. Ever since that meal, in January 2016, the couple have hosted several dinners. "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," Saab told NBC news. 

Amanda Saab and her husband Hussein Saab PHOTO COURTESY: FACEBOOK / AMANDA SAAB

Saab is also the first female Muslim to be competing with a headscarf on Fox's 'MasterChef.' However, viewers had had different reactions upon having a 'hijabi' on the American cooking show. Some had been supportive about finally seeing someone wearing a headscarf while others called her 'oppressed' and questioned her about her 'true motivation.' In another interview with the Washington Post she said "It made me realise: Just my existence in the world is bothersome to some people."

The couple have now partnered with Michael Hebb, a teaching fellow at the University of Washington's communication leadership department, where they are in the process of assembling a free online toolkit which they hope Muslims across America will utilise to host their own dinners.

This story originally appeared on Huffington Post