Since the beginning of his presidency in January, US President Donald Trump has introduced two versions of his 'travel ban', which would stop people from a handful of predominantly-Muslim countries from entering the United States. The latest, which was signed on March 6, has since been blocked by two federal judges.
The proposed bans have been met heated discussion, and now travel website Roads and Kingdoms is trying a different, delicious tactic: it is holding a 'Banned Countries' dinner series.
The series of dinners, which cost $US125 per ticket, will offer guests an enormous feast of foods from cultures and countries who would be banned by Trump's potential travel order, in order to display the benefits and community togetherness that a multicultural society offers.
Proceeds will go directly to the International Rescue Committee, and the website encourages people to join the table if they "believe that breaking bread is a better diplomatic strategy than arbitrary travel bans".
The first dinner, in New York, will find the travel site collaborating with cookbook author Naomi Duguid and Middle Eastern restaurant Glasserie.
The event will be a giant celebration of Nowruz, commonly known as the Persian new year, and the feast will be inspired by Yasmin Khan, who wrote The Saffron Tales.
The family-style feast will be held at Glasserie in New York City today, March 21st.
While there's not quite enough time to fly to NYC for the event, there's always fantastic charity-driven and/or community welcome dinners held regularly around Australia.
In Sydney, the Ultimo Community Centre is hosting a potluck family-style dinner on March 25th, which will help newly-arrived refugees and immigrants meet local people in their area. It's a part of the Welcome Dinner Project; at their events, you'll find "a rediscovery of our common humanity by sharing food". You can find more events and Welcome Dinners via Joining the Dots.
