Common Word Community Service Gilroy 2011

On Sunday, July 10, 2011, seventeen Muslims and sixteen Christians joined together to build peace by serving a meal to homeless and low income families at St. Joseph's Family Center in Gilroy, California. AAi worked with South Valley Islamic Center of Morgan Hill to plan the event where dinner was provided, prepared and served to nearly 100 persons. Volunteers, both Muslim and Christian, came from mosques and churches as far away as Brentwood and Patterson to join. Before preparing the meal, volunteers got to know each other with fun, ice-breaker exercises and discussion questions. Afterwards, Muslim volunteers paired up with Christian volunteers in small buddy groups to make tasty halal dinner with BBQ chicken, garlic bread, baked beans, fresh fruit and green salads. After all guests were served, volunteers enjoyed dinner together while building bridges of understanding and peace between their faith communities.