Muslims Give Thanks to Andrew's Ice Cream's Stand Against Islamophobia!

A line of customers at Andrew's Ice Cream in Orange stretched far outside the door on Saturday morning. The local Muslim community turned out in a show of unity and support following a harrowing incident last week when a man accosted Nura Takkish and Malaak Ammari, two hijab-wearing patrons. That didn't sit well with co-owner Cynthia Ramsey who responded by saying, "If you can't be nice, we don't want you here," before worker Jessie Noah booted the bigot! "I don't want them near my country, that's what I want," the man left as his weak parting shot.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) put together the "Ice Cream and Unity" social to honor all involved who took a stand against Islamophobia that evening. "This is much more than ice cream," said CAIR-LA (of Anaheim) Executive Director Hussam Ayloush, "This is truly about preserving everyone's dignity." The civil rights organization gave champion of justice awards to Takkish and Ammari for reacting with composure in the face of hate. Ayloush turned to Andrew's Ice Cream's co-owners, Greg and Cynthia Ramsay, and Noah next. "This is a place, in my opinion, that represents what America should be," he said before presenting them with awards, too.

Read more on my latest OC Weekly Stick A Fork In It Blog post:

http://www.ocweekly.com/restaurants/muslims-give-thanks-to-andrews-ice-creams