Thanks all for a great event!

More than 40 people from First UU, the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio, and the Iranian immigrant community came out to support Shahla and Bahman, and the food was delicious!

This event was a wonderful way for us to live our values and connect with our interfaith and Iranian immigrant neighbors.

Details

My name is Shahla Davoodi. I’m Iranian I was an English teacher and trainer working for the ministry of education for more than 21 years. I studied English language teaching as a foreign language. I came to the US with a Fulbright Fellowship administered by Penn State University.

My husband is Bahman. He is an electric engineer and worked about 30 years in oil and copper refinery industries. He came with me.

We have two children: a son and a daughter. They are both in Iran now. Our son has a master’s degree in computer software, and he is a cyber security specialist. Unfortunately, he is in jail in Iran as a political prisoner. Because of him and having the Fulbright grant, which has been given to me by the US government, it is dangerous for us to go back to Iran. Therefore, my husband and I have requested asylum here.. During the asylum process, we are not allowed to work legally. Dick and Karen Dawson accepted us to live in their lower-level house. We highly appreciate their help because the large part of our living cost is housing, and they provide it for us unconditionally.

We are happy to have the chance to cook for this dinner event, in order to not only introduce Iranian food and culture but to help with our living cost. I appreciate the First UU Church and the Racial Justice & Immigration Committee assisting us in this regard.