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City Club Spotlight-
February 26, 2020 @ 6:00 pm
Spotlight on Ibrahim Hamide
Interviewer:
Eric Richardson
February’s Community Spotlight focuses on Ibrahim Hamide, a human rights activist and owner of Café Soriah. Ib came to Eugene in 1969 to study marketing and psychology at UO. He stayed because, as he says often, “I love Eugene and the people of this state.” From the beginning, he noticed, “People smiled at me.”
Ib is a native Palestinian raised in Bethlehem. Like many students, he worked his way through college in the restaurant business. Eventually, he opened his own restaurants, because he missed the food of his homeland. He believes that food is a great bridge over cultural divides. “It is the centerpiece of social events.”
As he set down roots in Eugene, Ib saw opportunities to contribute to the fabric of the community by drawing on his experiences as an immigrant. His participation in interfaith conversations increased after 9/11, and since then he has participated in the related services on the 11th of each month. He has helped train local law enforcement officers and judges in Washington State on cultural competency with respect to Muslims and Arabs. Last year he was honored by the Nobel Peace Laureate Project as an “Inspirer of Peace” for his work to “peacefully educate” the Eugene community. He is an active member of the Eugene Human Rights Commission and past president of the Eugene Middle East Peace Group.
Community Spotlight is a City Club gathering in which local leaders participate in informal interviews about their lives and work. Tsunami Bookstore hosts the event on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 pm. Light refreshments are provided by the culinary students at Network Charter School. The public is encouraged to attend. There is no admission charge for Community Spotlight, but guests are invited to contribute to help cover the costs.
About the City Club of Eugene:
The mission of the City Club of Eugene is to build community vision through open inquiry. We explore a wide range of significant local, state, and national issues and help to formulate new approaches and solutions to problems. Club members have a direct influence on public policy by discussing issues of concern with elected officials and other policy makers. Membership is open to all. The City Club’s mailing address is PO Box 12084, Eugene, OR 97440. For more information, please contact Silver Mogart, Executive Director, at (541) 485-7433 or visit us online at cityclubofeugene.org.