I have a food and religion and hosting question rolled into one

[Anonymous]

Maybe I should have posted this in religion or food, I wasn't sure though because this isn't specifically about religion or specifically about food but more about being a good hostess to a different culture. Sorry if its in the wrong spot!

Also please excuse any ignorance in this post, I mean no disrespect.

I like hosting dinner parties and my husband has a fairly new work colleague who I would like to have over with his family. The are Muslim and from what I know pretty devout (?not sure if thats the right way to say it).

I do plan on calling his wife and chatting about any dietary restrictions when I invite them, but I don't want to seem completely naive - is this Wikipedia article fairly accurate? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_dietary_laws

Anything else I should be aware of to make them feel comfortable and welcome?

That is all I want. I've hosted kosher friends and really orthodox guests and well many different cultures but this is my first for Muslims who would have restricted dietary laws and devout customs etc.

I'm probably saying this all wrong...anyhoo

Any advice or point me to a good website?

TIA!

[Anonymous]

Meat should be halal and there are many small shops in this area that sell halal food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meat should be halal and there are many small shops in this area that sell halal food.

Should I purchase everything I'm serving from a halal shop or just the meat?

[Anonymous]

Make sure its ok to be cooked in your kitchen, plates, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make sure its ok to be cooked in your kitchen, plates, etc.

Okay would a caterer be better/easier and can I find one in the Georgetown area?

Thanks for the help so far

[Anonymous]

Depending on how strict they are you may need to separate the men and the women. Also you may have to adjust timing around prayer.

[Anonymous]

A lot depends how they practice. On the strict side, all halal meat (butchered in a particular way, obviously no pork) and no alcohol in sight. On the more liberal side, no pork but doesn't have to be halal, and they won't mind if "you" drink alcohol, but they won't. I'd err on strict side first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make sure its ok to be cooked in your kitchen, plates, etc.

This doesn't matter like it does in kosher cooking.

[Anonymous]

You mention a different culture. I assumed they were American, but if not,do you know what country they are from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You mention a different culture. I assumed they were American, but if not,do you know what country they are from?

Saudi Arabia.
Actually I only know for sure that he is from Saudi Arabia, so for now lets assume his wife is too, 5 children oldest is 17, I think some or all were born here. Again I am assuming for now.

[Anonymous]

where are they from and how long have they been in the U.S.? Will they be the only invitees or will these be others?

I would not prepare any dishes with pork or let them know that dish A has pork in it. I wouldn't go out of my way to find halal meat, this is something that most I know would not even ask about.

I also would make sure there are soft drinks (but I guess you'd have these anyway). But, I would not automatically assume that they do not drink alcohol, so would offer wine / beer etc, if they decline, I wouldn't insist and pour juice etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You mention a different culture. I assumed they were American, but if not,do you know what country they are from?

Saudi Arabia.
Actually I only know for sure that he is from Saudi Arabia, so for now lets assume his wife is too, 5 children oldest is 17, I think some or all were born here. Again I am assuming for now.

They will likely politely decline if they are extremely conservative. But please ask anyway. That is really nice of you.

I'd definitely get meat from a halal butcher shop.

My husband is Egyptian Muslim and we entertain from all over the Arab world., he is NOT religious so he tends to attract like-minded Muslims, of which there are many. Including Saudis. But never assume.

Serve a lot of food, and I like to do a mix of Arab and American dishes, so they can choose safe known favorites or experiment with American.

[Anonymous]

Halal meat is usually very fresh, so if you want to try out a butcher near you, it might be interesting for you. (There won't be pork products.) If you end up serving something like hot dogs for the kids, make sure they're not pork.

Otherwise you should be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:where are they from and how long have they been in the U.S.? Will they be the only invitees or will these be others?

I would not prepare any dishes with pork or let them know that dish A has pork in it. I wouldn't go out of my way to find halal meat, this is something that most I know would not even ask about.

I also would make sure there are soft drinks (but I guess you'd have these anyway). But, I would not automatically assume that they do not drink alcohol, so would offer wine / beer etc, if they decline, I wouldn't insist and pour juice etc.

Saudi Arabia and my DH thinks they have been here for about a decade, maybe more. I was just planning on inviting them and their children. DH and I have four children.

Thank you so much for your advice, I just didn't want to seem totally ignorant here, even though I am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You mention a different culture. I assumed they were American, but if not,do you know what country they are from?

Saudi Arabia.
Actually I only know for sure that he is from Saudi Arabia, so for now lets assume his wife is too, 5 children oldest is 17, I think some or all were born here. Again I am assuming for now.

They will likely politely decline if they are extremely conservative. But please ask anyway. That is really nice of you.

I'd definitely get meat from a halal butcher shop.

My husband is Egyptian Muslim and we entertain from all over the Arab world., he is NOT religious so he tends to attract like-minded Muslims, of which there are many. Including Saudis. But never assume.

Serve a lot of food, and I like to do a mix of Arab and American dishes, so they can choose safe known favorites or experiment with American.

Thank you for the advice and letting me know they may decline.

Serving a mix of Arab and American dishes sounds like fun and I do like to experiment in the kitchen. Would doing a family style tapas menu work? Lots of little dishes to share? Or more of a sit down menu with courses?