Help from Muslim MN please

[flowerpootle]

My new work friend and her husband and kids are coming for lunch at mine next week. They are Muslim. Obviously I won't serve alcohol or non halal meat but, any catering advice in terms of things to avoid? Also I hug her on greeting (outside of office) but should I not hug her DH / should my DH not give a kiss to her on greeting? (We are not English and we are usually fairly tactile). Sorry for this lack of sophistication but I'd rather ask than cause embarrassment or serve food they can't enjoy.

@sashh

I know some Palestinians (in the UK) who were delighted to know I had cooked halal food (lamb guvec stew) and that it had been cooked in a pan untouched by pork.

I remember watching a documentary about Tiger Bay the mish mash of people who made it their own.

A coupe of people who had fathers from the ME said their mother kept a frying pan for bacon in its own cupboard, occasionally their dad would open the cupboard and swear at the pan in Arabic.

I think the vast majority of people are just people, they appreciate any effort and are more interested in friendship and family that what other people eat.

My PIL are like that! My FIL keeps a haram cupboard and a haram fridge, as the non Muslim in the family. They are both Muslim, although him obviously much less so. Being a Muslim means different things to different people, but a safe bet would be halal food and offer a handshake but not be offended by them politely declining it.