CAIR-Missouri: Muslims Showcase City’s Diversity, Challenge Stereotypes Through Food Festival
(ST. LOUIS, MO, 7/31/2017) -- On Sunday, August 13, the Imam Council of Metropolitan St. Louis (ICMSTL), representing the city's 18 Imams (Islamic religious leaders) and the Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Missouri), a chapter of the largest civil liberties and advocacy organization for Muslims in America, will host, “The Great Muslim Cook-Off and Food Festival.” It is the first St. Louis international food festival showcasing the tremendous diversity of the city’s Muslim population through food.
WHAT: The Great Muslim Cook-Off and Food Festival
WHEN: Sunday, August 13, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
WHERE: The World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park
1904 Concourse Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146
WEBSITE: https://cair-mo.org/cookoff
CONTACT: CAIR-MO Executive Director Faizan Syed, 314-403-3626 E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Events Intern Sadia Ali, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 636-675-9471
“Our goal is to showcase the diversity of American Muslims through the various international dishes cooked every day in our community,” said Faizan Syed, executive director of CAIR-Missouri. “What better way to challenge the growing anti-Muslim hysteria than through food? We hope that our neighbors will come out, break bread, or nan in this case, and get to know their Muslim neighbors a little better.”
The food festival will feature several local Muslim-owned restaurants with meals from around the world. Guests will be able to shop in the bazaar for not only unique edible delights but also for clothing, henna art, and much more. There will also be a food competition with various dishes that will be entered into a six-category competition with prizes. All dishes entered will be halal, kosher, or vegan, including an under 13 children’s category.
The St. Louis chapter of the Islamic Circle of North America Relief (ICNA-Relief) with Volunteers in Medicine will be conducting a health fair in order to provide free basic health services to guests along with medical services in case of injury. The league of Women Voters will be organizing a voter registration drive. The exhibition is public and family friendly.
“Sharing a meal with a stranger is a universal value to build friendship, break down barriers, and build community,” said Sadia Ali event coordinator for the food festival. “Our food festival is unique because it empowers the local Muslim community to share its diversity, culture, and traditions through the medium of food. A langue that all of us understand and gravitate towards.”
Some of the businesses and sponsors of the food festival include:
- AbdulBasit Syed, Outreach Coordinator of ICNA-Relief St. Louis and manager of the Health Fair, (314_601-4779. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Wahed Invest, https://wahedinvest.com/home.php
- Sami Ahmad, Owner of St. Louis Gyros, https://www.facebook.com/STLgyros/
- Lisa Grozdanic, Yapi Restaurant, https://www.facebook.com/Yapi-Mediterranean-Subs-and-Sandwiches-1781770068772258/
- Jim Hacking, Hacking Law Practice Business Sponsor, http://hackinglawpractice.com/
- Jena McVicker, The Shabby Hijabi, http://shabbyhijabi.com
- The Turkish Society of Missouri, http://tasom.org/
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Missouri Executive Director Faizan Syed, 636-207-8882, 314-330-2946, E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.