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Warren Circle was filled last week with picnickers feasting on kabobs, hummus and roasted lamb at a campus-wide event to support local Middle-Eastern restaurants.
“This event was mainly to support our students, our community and the local restaurants,” Special Assistant to the Provost Donna Wilson said.
She hopes that the luncheon “will promote tolerance and cultural understanding” both on the University of Denver campus and in the surrounding community.
Chancellor Daniel L. Ritchie spearheaded the event after visiting two Middle Eastern restaurants and beign told that business was suffering. He met with President David Maldonado of the Iliff School of Theology, Pastor Paul J. Kottke of the University Park United Methodist Church and Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Together, they decided to sponsor “Gathering at the Table in Grace and Peace,” a community luncheon, in order to “promote togetherness here on campus,” Chancellor Ritchie said. “We needed to pull together as a whole community to support all of those affected by the tragedy.”
Food for the luncheon was provided by several local restaurants, including Aladdin CafCB) and Grill, Blue Nile, Casablanca Moroccan Restaurant, Damascus Restaurant, House of Kabob, Jerusalem Restaurant, Pita Jungle and Sinbad Restaurant University Mart.
“This was a great event, and we are very thankful to [Chancellor Ritchie] and all of the people who worked so hard to make [it] a success,” Yousef Elmadhun said, who works at Damascus Restaurant. Elmadhun said that there has been “no noticeable decline in business,” but extends his thanks to all of those who offered support following the Sept. 11 tragedies.
The Damascus Restaurant also provided the American Flag cake made from fruit and whipped cream.
During the luncheon, a brief ceremony was held. Ritchie and David Maldonado spoke. Then prayers from several religious backgrounds were offered. Eman Ibrahim presented a Muslim prayer, while Rabbi Steven Kaye offered the Jewish prayer. The Christian prayer was presented by Bill Bechman.
