On December 20, 2014, Al-Huda School in College Park, Maryland in conjunction with University of Maryland's Center for Health Equity presented their "Meet, Greet, Talk, and Eat" program. It was arranged and hosted at Al-Huda School. Cuisine from around the globe was featured, which reflected the diverse cultural food preparations, desserts, including snacks that Muslim people, and others enjoy.
Along with a number of other individuals, and families, my family and I contributed to the "Healthy Al-Huda Cookbookî initiative, with great pleasure. In cooperation with the University of Maryland, the outcome of these efforts will result in a soon to be published cookbook. We are waiting patiently; it will be an outstanding publication!
I had the chance to speak with [and interview] Sr. Shamila Hashim, with additional input from Al-Huda's Assistant Principal Abdul Qaadir Abdul Khaaliq. Sr. Shamila and supporting staff members helped to coordinate the function, along with Dr. Shawnta Jackson (a staff member at the University of Maryland), and a number of her colleagues.
Q: What did the coordinating committee of the Healthy Al-Huda project have in mind when they organized the "Meet, Greet, Talk, and Eat" program?
A: Br. Abdul Qaadir: One of the aims was for the Muslim Community that attend and support Dar us Salaam and Al-Huda School, to learn first-hand what steps are being taken as a whole, to improve the overall health and well-being of both students, and the community at large. It was an opportunity for representatives from the Maryland Center for Health Equity (M-CHE) to let the community know their mission and objectives, also for those representatives to literally and figuratively get a taste of the community's cuisine, and life-style. Many community members were not directly involved, nor perhaps were many aware of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between Al-Huda School, and the M-CHE. It was signed in 2012, and it signaled a start for a cooperative relationship, between the University of Maryland and Al-Huda School. One of the aims of M-CHE is community outreach toward those minority populations, within the vicinity of the UMCP (University of Maryland College Park). The Meet, Greet, Talk and Eat event was certainly a part of that.
Q: On the day of the event, about how many people (from the community at large, do you estimate) attended the program?
A: Br. Abdul Qaadir: Perhaps 80 - 100 if not more, maa shaa Allah!
Q: Besides having the chance to taste delicious cuisine, how many dishes do you believe were shared?
A: Sr. Shamila: Approximately 40 - 50 dishes were represented.
Q. Can you list a few of the foods that people had the opportunity to sample (types of food, desserts, snacks etc.)?
A: Br. Abdul Qaadir: There were so many good dishes, some quite exotic, and unfamiliar; it gave some a chance to ìexpand their horizonsî, so to speak. There for the tasting, an amazing array of dishes of all types, from several nations, continents, and cultures were on display! New Orleans Style Barbeque Shrimp was my own contribution; there were other very delicious and interesting dishes. I fondly recall a sweet pastry wrapped in banana leaves. There were savory dishes from Ethiopia, southern fried chicken, and some dishes were gone, by the time I got to the table! We had dishes from all five continents, which included about 20 different countries.
Q: I know that tasting the food must have been fun, but what was the underlying benefit, objective, or focus of the program?
A: Br. Abdul Qaadir: An underlying benefit was to simply allow members of the community to gather together, to be informed about the Cookbook Project: the efforts of the M-CHE, their need, and desire to get real feedback from the community they hope to serve. The concept and purpose of a Needs Assessment was introduced to the community, and hopefully some significant interest was raised. An increased awareness of the importance good health in the smaller Muslim community, including the College Park Community as a whole, was part of the mission. Exposure to the diversity within the community is always a good thing, and food is a common element everyone shares. We also hoped to generate interest in the Healthy Al-Huda Cookbook Project, with the dishes of the event being actual samples of some of the recipes in the cookbook.
Q: Were there other interactive activities at the event?
A: Sr. Shamila: Indeed! There were some additional activities such as: a health promoting 'Smoothie Bike' where delicious and healthful smoothies were produced by a pedal-powered juicer, face painting, an ever-popular activity with the younger children, and Henna Designs were featured. Also, a booth for a free health screening was provided, by a Doctor, and an information table was available, just for the M-CHE.
Q: Were there speakers present that highlighted (points of) the day's event, and its purpose?
A: Br. Abdul Qaadir: Dr. Stephen Thomas, the Director of M-CHE gave a few short words explaining the center's mission, and their efforts with the Al-Huda School. He was present along with other representatives of the M-CHE, including: Dr. Susan Passmore, Ms. Shawnta Jackson, and Sr. Nora Al-Johani who have been regular and integral partners, in several activities at Al-Huda School. Principal Haroon Baqai introduced Dr. Thomas, and I [Vice Principal Abdul-Qaadir Abdul-Khaaliq] acted as MC (Master of Ceremonies) for the event. The community also had the special treat of hearing from the Cookbook Cover Contest winners, Zayd Asif (Elementary School) and Nisa Baig (Middle School) and Zaakira Ahmed (High School).
Q: Would you say that this event successfully reached its objective?
A: Br. Abdul Qaadir: I believe so. We have yet to hold a follow up meeting with the Healthy Al-Huda Committee, which comprises members of the M-CHE and Al-Huda School, but other feedback has been positive from those who attended the event. I think it was a surprise, and a hit! I must especially mention the wonderful event organization of Shamila Hashim (of Al-Huda School), Shawnta Jackson (of the UMCP), and the major role played by the students from the Student Government Association). Those students literally served the community by helping with registration, guiding people, setting up the venue, placing the various dishes and informational placards, decorating, giving portions to community members, and even taking photographs of the different offerings. It was an awesome show of Al-Huda students' cooperation, and giving back to the community.
Q: To your knowledge, are there any future plans to do another program like "Meet, Greet, Talk, and Eat?"
A: Abdul Qaadir: There are no plans at this time. However, the success of this first community wide event is very encouraging, and many are looking forward to the eventual publication of the Al-Huda Cookbook.
Q: Last but not least, what do you believe were the general sentiments of the community that experienced the event, and what was their response to the cookbook idea?
A: Abdul Qaadir: This event will certainly be remembered, and it will set the groundwork for success at further ventures, in shaa Allah. People were already asking about publication of the cookbook; if possible, they would have ordered them on the spot! So, we look forward to a sold out first edition, in shaa Allah!
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