The Institute of Post Conflict Development
Tea, Samosas and Peace
In one room, gathered around a simple table, sat a remarkable group of people: a senior Shia Imam, a Sunni Muslim leader, Christian leaders, and friends from the United States and the United Kingdom. Before discussing difficult issues, we did what people in Pakistan have always done, we shared food. We talked about our families, our favorite sports, our traditions, and the joys and challenges of everyday life. There was laughter, genuine curiosity, and a warmth that made everyone feel welcome.
As the conversation deepened, we spoke about freedom of religion or belief, the importance of protecting one another’s dignity, and our shared hope of making Pakistan a more peaceful country. That evening reminded us that meaningful dialogue begins not with speeches, but with friendship.
In Pakistan, we often say, “The way to someone’s heart is through the stomach.” Hospitality is woven into our culture. Whenever guests arrive, the table is prepared before anything else. Sharing a meal is more than a social custom; it is a way of communicating respect, acceptance, and friendship. Around the table, strangers become guests, and guests often become friends. Food has a unique way of removing barriers that words alone sometimes cannot.
That evening, we enjoyed tea together with freshly made samosas and other traditional snacks. The food was delicious, but what stayed with us long after the meal ended was the trust that began to grow between us. Today, we continue to visit one another, work together, and organize interfaith dialogues that promote freedom of religion or belief in Pakistan. Looking back, I realize that the trust we now share was not built in a conference hall or during a formal meeting. It began around a meal.
Through the Daniel Khokhar Foundation, we intentionally create spaces where people from different faiths, denominations, and communities can sit together around one table. We have learned that lasting relationships begin when people first see one another not as opponents or strangers, but simply as fellowhuman beings sharing food and tea.
For Christians in Pakistan, sharing a table is not something we take for granted. There are still places where religious divisions influence even something as basic as sharing food or drinking water. The recent killing of Siddique Masih, who was attacked after drinking from a water cooler reserved for Muslims, was a painful reminder of how prejudice can become deadly.
Every meal where people of different faiths sit together, eat together, laugh together, and truly listen to one another quietly challenges those divisions. Peace is rarely built through grand speeches or formal agreements. More often, it begins with a simple invitation: “Please, come and share a meal with us.”
Recipe: Pakistani Chai (Tea)
There is a saying in Pakistan that every meaningful conversation begins with a cup of tea, and I believe there is a lot of truth in that.
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 black tea bag (or 1 teaspoon loose black tea)
½ to 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Sugar to taste
½ to 1 cup milk
2–3 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed (optional, but recommended)
Method
1. Bring the water to a boil and add the tea, ginger, and sugar. Let it simmer for a few minutes so the flavors come together.
2. Pour in the milk and allow the tea to come to one or two gentle boils. If using cardamom, add it while the tea is simmering for its warm, aromatic flavor.
3. Strain into cups and serve hot.
In Pakistan, tea is much more than a drink—it is an invitation to slow down, listen, and spend time together.
Recipe: Chicken Samosas
Ingredients
Samosa wrappers or thin pastry
250 g minced chicken
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 green chilli, finely chopped (optional)
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon coriander powder
½ teaspoon red chilli powder
¼ teaspoon turmeric
Salt and black pepper to taste
A handful of chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
Oil for deep frying
Method
1. Cook the minced chicken with the onion, garlic, ginger, and spices until the chicken is fully cooked and the mixture is fairly dry. Stir in the fresh coriander and allow the filling to cool.
2. Fill each samosa wrapper with a spoonful of the chicken mixture, fold it into the traditional triangle shape, and seal the edges with a little flour-and-water paste.
3. Deep-fry until golden brown and crispy.
While potato samosas are also very popular across Pakistan, chicken samosas are my personal favorite, especially when served fresh with hot Pakistani chai.
“The views presented here do not necessarily represent the views of the Foundation for Post Conflict Development. They serve as a people to people exchange of information based on values of respect and desire for cultural and diplomatic understanding without judgement. All points of view are welcome and are necessary to better understand the context of post conflict development. It is in this spirit that the FPCD created this Institute.”