At Dolan Uyghur Restaurant, one of our core values is to form and maintain close relationships with our customers and our local community. We strive to share Uyghur culture while giving back. With locations in Washington, DC and Chantilly, Virginia, Dolan serves as a bridge connecting America with Uyghur culture. We strive for excellence in everything we do and hold ourselves to the highest standards of customer service and restaurant operations. Most importantly, we work to raise awareness about the treatment of the Uyghur people. Dolan continues to invest in the local community in a variety of ways.
Here are a few of our recent outreach projects and events across Washington, DC.
Dolan for healthcare workers
Since June 2020, Dolan has been providing free meals to healthcare professionals in Washington, DC. At Dolan, we are incredibly grateful for the healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of the entire Uyghur community, Dolan expresses our gratitude to these heroes by providing them with flavorful, nourishing Uyghur meals. In this way, we are also able to share our culture with the healthcare community in Washington, DC. Dolan's owner, Hamid Kerim, says: "This display of gratitude will continue in support of healthcare workers and for the good of the community."
Dolan for Capitol National Guard troops
Dolan Uyghur Restaurant thanks the American National Guard for their service. To show our appreciation, Dolan provided troops in Washington, DC with traditional Uyghur meals at no cost. To the Uyghur community, the National Guard represents peace and freedom for all people. According to Dolan's owner, Hamid Kerim: "We thank America for its stance for justice and the rights of the Uyghur people. We genuinely appreciate all officers' hard work and dedication, which stands for people's peace and freedom!"
Community book launch event
Our Cleveland Park dining room hosted the community book launch for The Perfect Police State by Geoffrey Cain — an evening of poetry readings, a book talk and Q&A, live Uyghur music and a buffet of Uyghur cuisine, with a signed hardcover for every guest. We tell that evening in its own article: A book launch in our dining room: "The Perfect Police State".
The Uyghur people
The Uyghurs are a Turkic, predominantly Sunni Muslim people who traditionally inhabited East Turkistan (also known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region) in Central Asia. The Uyghur people have long been the victims of a human rights crisis orchestrated by the Chinese government that the U.S. State Department and many experts define as genocide. Uyghur culture is being erased, and millions are unjustly detained. The U.S. government and human rights groups believe China has detained millions of Uyghurs against their will in a large network of what the state calls "re-education camps." The Uyghurs still living in Xinjiang are spied on by a draconian system of surveillance, their culture is besieged, and millions are unjustly detained, enduring indoctrination, torture and forced labor. Uyghur culture is being erased, and this erasure must be stopped. Learn more about the Uyghur people and how Dolan is raising awareness.
Future events
Dolan will continue to give back to the community and plan events. To stay informed about upcoming events and outreach, follow Dolan on Facebook, Instagram and X. If you would like to host an event or share outreach ideas, contact us.
About Dolan Uyghur Restaurant
Dolan Uyghur Restaurant is one of the first Uyghur restaurants in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. At Dolan, we serve fresh, healthy and delicious Uyghur cuisine. On our menu you'll find hand-pulled noodles, chicken stew, handmade dumplings and many more delicious dishes. Our chefs prepare each dish with fresh ingredients, authentic recipes and pride in our culture. With every item on our menu, we are committed to preserving and sharing the authentic flavors and traditions of Uyghur and Central Asian cuisine. We invite you to learn more about our story, view our menu, see our locations or make a reservation.
Originally published by Dolan Uyghur Restaurant on July 23, 2022.
