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Bridging Barriers with Somali Food

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Members of Waterloo (Ont.) Christian Reformed Church found that food bridges barriers of language and religion.

Last spring the church sponsored the immigration to Canada of Sahara Ismail Ali, a young Muslim woman from Somalia who had lived 13 years in a refugee camp.

Since Sahara attended a local mosque, she hadnā€™t met many of the congregationā€™s members, so the refugee committee planned a get-acquainted dinner. Sahara joined in enthusiastically, said Dennis Joosse, a member of the committee.

She helped choose a menu and immersed committee members into the local Somali community.

Joosse said Sahara took charge on the day of the dinner. ā€œAll of the food started from raw ingredients. There were hours of chopping,ā€ says Joosse.

Nearly 150 people came to sample the goat, samosas, and even spaghettiā€”a traditional Somalian meal. They were surprised to find no tables or utensils, only cloths set on the floor. The food received rave reviews.

ā€œSahara told us she really wanted to do this, and she did it wonderfully,ā€ says Joosse. ā€œSomalians have a tradition of wonderful hospitality and wonderful food.ā€


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