Yonat Shimron, Staff Writer

The hefty baskets filled with chocolate, nuts and munchies and delivered Tuesday to 20 Wake County schools were not Christmas or New Year’s gifts.The local chapter of the Muslim American Society raised more than $2,000 to prepare the baskets, given to teachers and school administrators to celebrate Islam’s holiday of Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, which begins today.

The goody baskets are part of a project to build bridges and foster understanding between Muslims and the public schools, said leaders of the local chapter of the Muslim American Society, which sponsored the basket drive. They said they hope to counter the fear and misunderstanding Muslims often experience.

“We’re delivering this in appreciation for taking care of our kids,” said Manal Sidawi, one of the two Muslim women who delivered a basket to the Cary High School office.

This is the second year that the society, called MAS for short, has been delivering baskets to schools — if only because most Muslim children attend public schools.

“We can have compassion for each other if we know each other,” said Ali Diatta, who delivered the baskets with Sidawi.

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Sofian Abdelaziz Zakkout