Sorry, some of our people are dicks.

[tongodeon]

Every day on my way to work I pass by the Kind Fahd Mosque. A month ago there was a protest, where they hung an effigy, waved some offensive signs and shouted a lot. There's a youtube video of the event. I didn't hear about the event in time to do anything about it, but I feel bad that it happened literally in my backyard. Every day I drive

Comments

[arian1]

No gift is needed, I think the kind word would be far more appreciated.

Try right after prayers. The local imam should be in.

[rimrunner]

Likely the case. Although, a lot of people sent flowers to the local Islamic center in my neighborhood after someone threatened to blow it up on 2001. They were all over the little display case they kept outside the front door, presumably for pamphlets and stuff. A few days later there was a handmade sign thanking the community for its support.

[silmaril]

It's Ramadan, observing Muslims are fasting from sunup to sundown and traditionally eating large dinners. Inviting friends and neighbours and family over to break fasts together is a traditional thing (at least, in Turkey it is; if your community is largely Arabic I don't know how things go there). Delicacies intended for aforementioned iftars---that's what the break-fast dinner is called---could go over well.

A couple of pounds of exported dates, or olives, or pastrami (needs to be from halal meat, though) and stuff of that sort that can be made into appetizers. Might be a good idea to mark it "for your iftar", because, well, food gift in Ramadan.

[tongodeon]

Perhaps something sealed, so that they know I'm not a dick masquerading as a sympathy-giver to poison them.

[hugh_mannity]

That would be good.

Some dates or some cookies from a local Middle Eastern grocery perhaps? You could tell them you want something for an iftar gift.

When I lived in the MidEast we used to have dates and OJ for iftar, then the real meal about 1/2 hour to an hour later.

[giantlaser]

Gulf Arabs celebrate Ramadan the same way. Iftar/fotoor is usually a gathering with friends/family. I really enjoyed it in Iraq.

Soren, the food idea is a good one. Homemade would likely be accepted; chances are they didn't come from a country where people put razors in kids' candy apples.

[glaucon]

Carvel would probably write that on a Fudgie the Whale but I'm sure other people have better ideas.

that's the funniest thing I've heard in at least 4 months.

[tongodeon]

You know, on the day I can pop over to the local mosque to give a Fudgie the Whale to the Imam without it being "weird" the world will be a much better place than it is now.

[glaucon]

honestly, the more I think about it, the more I think Fudgie is actually the way to go with this.

[tongodeon]

I'm worried about walking into a cultural minefield. Is it halal to eat a whale? You wouldn't want to give them an ice cream cake in the shape of a dog, for example.

[eejitalmuppet]

Given that Ramadan is upon us, I know you can get cards to mark Eid, at the end of Ramadan, over here, so they are presumably available over there. That wouldn't be fancy, but would certainly fit into the "thought that counts" category, since you might have to do a bit of hunting to find a place which sells the cards.

As someone else suggested, simple food gifts should be good: olives, dates or apricots (fresh or dried) might go over well (maybe pistachios or almonds too?). Alternatively, can you find a good source of "real" baklava? Meat is best avoided, IMO: even if it's halal, a fair number of Muslims are vegetarian, and you might have to be able to prove that it's halal.

you rock

[twistedcat]

according to the information i found on islamic ettiquette...

(1) definitely knock
(2) when they answer, invoke peace ("Salam")
(3) When you are greeted with a greeting, reply with a better one or return it
(4) Listen to the speaker without interrupting him until he finishes talking
(5) Talk clearly so that the listener may understand you
(6) A good word is an act of kindness
(7) you may want to modify the following phrase, as it is a recommended expression of condolence, just for bereavement, not asshole demonstrating outside their place of worship: "May Allah magnify your reward, give you solace and forgive your deceased one."