A humble request from @RaziaBoston (@RaziaMashkoor) to family and friends:
As the Quran wisely states, “You will never attain righteousness until you spend in charity from that which you love.” These words have resonated deeply with me, and I have found my love in cooking since childhood.
I recall, at the tender age of 6 or 7, I yearned to explore the kitchen but was restricted due to my small stature. Undeterred, I ventured to a neighbor’s house and successfully made my first #Roti. Hailing from a middle-class family in the historic city of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, known for Aligarh Muslim University and Lock factories, my neighbors were even less fortunate, with a family of 6/7 boys. The shape of the #roties mattered little to the mother; she was just delighted to have a helping hand. News of my culinary endeavors reached my mom, leading to my kitchen privileges being curtailed.
Despite this setback, my passion for cooking persisted. Upon finally receiving permission, I cooked every day—yes, every single day. My love for cooking only deepened over time. During my Master’s in Urdu, I found myself in the kitchen, making rotis in the scorching summer. When my paternal uncle visited, expecting to find my mom, he was astonished to see me, a literature master’s student, preparing rotis.
I share these anecdotes because they embody my lifelong love for cooking, a passion I am now determined to turn into a cause. Inspired by the idea during the pandemic, I took action, sharing food with those in need in Boston and in my city #Aligarh (India). The positive response encouraged me to extend this effort to my town, including Burlington, MA, Lexington, Billerica, and Woburn.
I am reaching out to seek your support. No, I am not asking for donations. Instead, I request you to consider purchasing food once a month from “Share My Kitchen.” This simple act will enable me to sustain this cause regularly. I am ready to cook for you; are you ready to buy and support this meaningful endeavor?
