Emirati-American family bonds over Irish Iftar

Being part of a multicultural family and witnessing the new generation that grows up carrying a unique blend of cultures has always fascinated me. Living in a country like the UAE that brings together more than 200 nationalities in peace and harmony is a testimony that our similarities are much more prominent that our differences.

This reminder struck me during my Iftar experience in the American/Emirati household of Dr. Hussain Maseeh, a social care expert at the Community Development Authority (CDA), and his wife Dedra L. Stevenson, author and filmmaker from the US.

Welcoming me to their two-storey villa in Sharjah at 5.30pm, 26-year-old Saeed Maseeh, the eldest of their four children, takes me to the living room. "By this time of the day, I'm only looking for my coffee," he laughs. We are soon joined by his brother Abdullah, 20, while their sister Hanan, 17, was still sleeping through her fast. "Hanan is the only one who does it right," laughed Abdullah, a Math student at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), as he loafed on the couch.

With a beaming smile, Stevenson excitedly walks in from the kitchen, saying she's preparing an Irish Iftar for since she had just come back from Ireland's screening of her film Lemonade that revolves around the challenges her autistic son Ibrahim, 24, faces as an adult with special needs.

Since last Ramadan, the family follows the "30 Days around the World" programme where Stevenson cooks dishes from 30 different cuisines every day.

"I want to communicate the message of solidarity to my kids and to everyone. We need to remind ourselves that Muslims around the world are celebrating the same occasion but in different ways. In a world so divided, we need realise that despite our different cultures, we are all humans," said Stevenson, who moved to the UAE from Alabama ever since she was married 27 years ago.

Leading me to separate extension where two helpers were adding the finishing touches to the food, Stevenson said the menu was Irish beef stew, Soda bread, salad, and coffee cake for dessert. However, she cooks a vegan version of almost every meal she makes.

"I had to cook a vegan alternative of the stew with Tofu and olive oil instead because my kids don't eat meat. Saeed is pescatarian, Abdullah is vegan and Hanan is vegetarian. While I can't join them in not eating meat, I have to support them through cooking two versions of every meal I make!" said Stevenson. Drinks for iftar were Vimto and Apricot ice tea. "Ice tea is necessary because I am Southern girl!" she laughed.

Her most notable cuisines are that of the US, England, France, India, Persia, Denmark, China, Japan and Egypt among other countries. "Latin food is always the most fun to make because they have unique spices marking every dish. I love making Mexican, Brazilian and Spanish dishes," noted Stevenson.

She starts doing her research on different dishes from a chosen country during the afternoon, picks up the groceries and starts the cooking process with her two helpers. "Ramadan is a good chance for me to get back to my cooking hobby that I don't normally have time for during regular days," said Stevenson, "It is also a chance I teach my helpers meals of different cultures."

Best part of Ramadan

Closer to Maghreb prayers, the family gathers in a separate dining room set in a Majlis design, with a low round table and cushions placed around it. By that time, Hanan had woken up all ready to break her fast and their father Dr. Hussain had just arrived home.

Ibrahim joined the table with his two helpers Mark and Arden, and a big smile on his face. "This is the only time we all get together on one table, so it is the moment we look forward to everyday," said Stevenson.

As they broke their fast, the family joked and shared insights over food. Dr. Hussain said raising a multicultural family has been an interesting blend of the east and the west. "We learn from each other's customs and the children grow up knowing more than one culture and becoming more accepting towards people's difference."

Half an hour later, the coffee cake and cups of black coffee made their way to the table. "Mom just knows what we need: our double dose of coffee after a long day of fasting," joked Saeed.

Bidding the family goodbye at 8.30pm, the message of harmony was not only communicated to me only through their food, but their lifestyle, conversations and the way I felt I was no different.

Source: Khaleej Times