In the mid-1980s, new immigrants from Afghanistan frequented the Queens Botanical Garden in hopes of finding respite and running into immigrants like themselves, as Flushing, Queens, held the most dense Afghan population in New York City at the time.

Here, friendships were made from one picnic area to another. This first generation created a community through language and shared war experiences, while also sharing fruit, breaking bread, and sipping tea. From these initial meetings, language schools called masjids and ethnic specialty shops grew. They provided Afghan specialties such as halal meat, qurut (dried yogurt), röt (milk bread), turshi (pickles), books, and sela basmati rice. This module explores the development of this Afghan American community in New York City, with focus on how 9/11 and its aftermath influenced identity formation, public visibility, and modes of community organization.