“Food brings people together in our culture,” said Ali, who has lived in Minnesota for 20 years. “Sambusa smells and tastes good, and we eat it together for special gatherings and holidays, like during Ramadan when we’re breaking the fast at the end of each day. At a time when we were being called terrorists and frauds, we were trying to welcome people in to learn about our culture and hold a safe space to eat and drink together and ask questions.”