Australian-born Muslim, Lina Jebeile, is an enthused advocate for the Lebanese meals of her bloodline.
That's because to her, Arabic food is not just a Middle Eastern icon but a powerful asset that she uses to promote love and cultural acceptance across Australia.
On Sunday 14 April, the 40-year-old The Lebanese Plate blogger will host Australia’s first ever ‘April is for Arab Food’ communal lunch at Sydney’s Al Aseel Restaurant, midday to 3 pm.
The inaugural Australian meet-up for lovers of Arabic food will form part of a much larger global initiative that aims to encourage individuals from different cultural backgrounds to gain a more informed understanding of Arabic peoples, over the course of enjoying a traditional meal.
“Food is so understated in the sense that it can bring people together,” says Jebeile, a food photographer and the organiser of the successful series of food events, ‘Spread hummus not hate’. “It’s a massive part of our lives – we all eat.
Food is so understated in the sense that it can bring people together.
“The whole concept behind this event is to bring people together to share, celebrate and learn about various Arabic foods, and the childhood memories that people of Arabic heritage attach to those foods.”
The Sydney long-table lunch will feature a mezze spread of traditional savoury and sweet Lebanese food, including hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, samke harra (‘chilli fish’), tabouleh, fattoush, baklava, bread, pickles and other favourites.
“This event has nothing to do with religion: it’s about Arabic food but I know some people automatically link Arabic food to religion."
“I hope that, throughout April, people can just sit and have a meal together and talk. It doesn’t have to be about religion or politics: it can be work, our kids, bills or the weather. And in doing that, they may realise that we are all going through the same things on a daily basis – regardless of what religion you are or culture you come from.”
I hope that, throughout April, people can just sit and have a meal together and talk.
The idea for ‘April is for Arab Food’ movement originated in 2018 when two US-based bloggers, Sweet Pillar Food and Almond and Fig, used their social media following during the US’s National Arab American Heritage Month to inspire other bloggers to celebrate Arabic food online.
This year, the international bloggers decided to go one step further by moving the online movement offline and organising people to meet and eat Arabic food together in the flesh. ‘April is for Arab Food’ meet-ups are now planned for locations across the US, Lebanon, the UK, UAE and Brazil.
Jebeile has high hopes that the event she hosts will create a positive social change. “If I can make that connection with one person over food, then the hope is that one person can go back to their own families and friends who may also have these misconceptions and say ‘I just chatted to an Australian-Muslim and this is now what I know about them’. I think that connecting with just one person, through word of mouth, can make a huge difference.”
...I’m really proud of being born and bred in Australia. But I believe it’s also really important for us to always remember where we’ve come from. Food is a great way to do that.
The mother-of-four also explains that ‘April is for Arab Food’ will enable first and second generation Australians to continue the traditions of their heritage by hosting their own food-sharing events at homes and workplaces throughout the country.
“My parents migrated to Australia in the 1970s," she says. "My upbringing was a very traditional Lebanese upbringing because my mother didn’t want to let go of those traditions. As an adult, I see why that was: my parents came here empty-handed. They didn’t have much more than the clothes on their backs, their traditions and the recipes for Arabic food.
“...I’m really proud of being born and bred in Australia. But I believe it’s also really important for us to always remember where we’ve come from. Food is a great way to do that.”
You can find out more about the Sydney 'April is for Arab Food' event, right here. You can also partake with your friends and family at home simply snap and share your feasts using the hashtag #aprilisforarab and you can see what others are feasting on around the globe as well.
