Windsor Islamic Association hopes to nourish intercultural connections with new meal program

Middle Eastern dishes including lentil soup were on the menu at the Downtown Mission Monday morning as the Windsor Islamic Association began serving monthly meals to hungry guests.

The debut meal had a Palestinian theme.

"We're preparing something called maqloubeh," said Abir Igbareia of the Palestinian Canadian Community Association. 

"In English it's 'upside down' because you prepare everything and then you just flip it and you serve it. You make it with chicken or with meat, cauliflower and eggplants."

The reception from the diners was positive, she added.

"They were coming asking for more, so I believe it was good, and they liked it."

The program, called Building Bridges Through Cuisine, is partly about helping people from different cultures connect and learn about one another, said Windsor Islamic Association spokesperson Widad Mezahi.

"I think now, especially with everything that's been going on in current events and in the news, there's a tendency for people to look at other cultures maybe negatively," she told CBC's Windsor Morning.

"And unfortunately that's not the Canadian way."

The association hopes to feed approximately 200 people per month with about 15 volunteers and funds donated by local businesses, Mezahi said.

Its first call for volunteer helpers netted around 60 responses.

"it's been really heartwarming to see," she said.

"Food is such a powerful way to connect with others, and as soon as we put out the announcement, people were thrilled to help out."

Arab breakfasts are typically a mixture of savoury and sweet dishes, Mezahi said, so there will be lots of food to choose from at the events.

January's meal will be Lebanese, she added, and February's will likely feature Turkish food.