Syrian women sell Facebook treats

A group of displaced Syrian women have made friends of Egyptian Facebook users, with a new web-based catering business that sells homegrown recipes under the slogan: “We are not refugees. We are productive.” The women set up the page after coming to Egypt to flee the horrors of war at home, while refusing to be provided for by others. The women promote traditional homemade Syrian dishes and desserts, which they cook themselves. The 13 women and girls, who refused to give their names or addresses, make Syrian treats like milk biscuits, pastries stuffed with dried dates, cakes, minced lamb and stuffed vegetables. The page provides users with a telephone number to receive orders exclusively from women, with another for men. Over 8,000 Facebook users have already joined the page since setting up shop in November 2012, including a large number of writers and activists who have lauded the idea and enthusiastically supported the business. Al-Watan journalist Mohammed Fathi, speaking on his own Facebook page, celebrated the initiative and asked his readers to support the group by making food orders right away.