MADISON – An American Muslim student group in University of Wisconsin-Madison invited the area homeless to a dinner on Tuesday, August 23, breaking bread and misconceptions together.

“A lot of the students and the homeless population don’t always get along,” Madison resident Duane Dahl told Channel3000.com.

Though community dinners are common in the city, very little events are hosted by students.

Taking an action to promote more goodwill between people like Dahl is exactly why members of UW’s Muslim Student Association wanted to hold the event.

“It’s a great way to break down stereotypes, by working with other people and showing the community we’re all working on things together,” Nejeeha Khan, the vice president of the Muslim Student Association.

“We are more a part of the community than people think, and we can be a community together.”

The event was also hosted by Mt. Vernon Church of Christ, Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church and the Farley Center.

Food was also donated by DZI Little Tibet Mobile Cuisine & Catering, the Madison Muslim Community and Bunky’s Catering.

The outreach effort was praised by Dahl, who said the event offered him a chance to spend more time with Muslims.

He was also able to learn more about them through good conversation and Middle Eastern food.

“There’s an education to it. You’re learning about them and they’re learning about you,” Dahl said.