Lebanese-American woman sells ma’amoul to help Beirut after explosion

A Lebanese American woman from Chicago is selling ma’amoul to raise money for Lebanese charities following the explosion on Aug. 4 in Beirut, reported the ABC lifestyle program Localish.

Dani Abboud planned to visit Beirut this year, but had to cancel her trip due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After seeing coverage of the Beirut explosion, she wanted to do something to help her motherland.

WATCH: Chicago Woman Selling Ma’amoul to Help Lebanon

“Ma’amoul is kind of like a cookie traditionally eaten around religious holidays,” Abboud told Localish. “I learned how to make it this past Easter. Getting to give people something as simple as these little cookies makes me feel like I’m giving a better glimpse as to what Lebanese culture is.”

The Beirut explosion rocked the city’s port, causing over 200 deaths, 6,500 injuries, and $15 billion in property damage. Countries all over the world have been sending aid to assist Lebanon in the aftermath.

“For so many people in America and around the world, the only image they ever see of the Middle East is destruction or a war zone or a bombing, and it’s just not like that,” Abboud said.

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My heart is broken over the tragedy in Beirut. My heart is broken over the decades of political corruption, and the undermining western intervention. My heart is broken that, for many people in the world, this is the only view of Lebanon they ever see. My heart is also broken because I can’t be there to help. So, with my limited resources and geography, I have decided to bake. I’m making ma’amoul (a traditional Lebanese sweet) to raise money for the groups actually on the ground, helping the people of Lebanon. Chicago folks, if you send me a receipt showing at least a $10 donation to one of the charities in the link in my bio, I will give you 5 pieces of ma’amoul (first batch is vegan and has a date filling). DM me to coordinate, feel free to share. I don’t have much money, I don’t have much power, but I love my country and my people enough to bake until my fingers fall off, if need be.

A post shared by دانييل (@daniabboud) on Aug 6, 2020 at 6:12pm PDT

Abboud has raised more than $500 from ma’amoul sales, which she plans to send to charities in Beirut. To learn more about her fundraising efforts, visit her Instagram page.