Social media chef brings joy and community to the dinner table

Ramadan is well underway for over 2 billion Muslims around the world. It's a time that brings together community, especially at the dinner table when those who are fasting all day finally get to eat. Our next guest knows a lot about that sense of joy, relief, and accomplishment at the end of the day. And he brings community together to his 13 million followers across social media through his recipes. Some have started calling him the Mariah Carey of Ramadan. Just like we see Mariah Carey during Christmas and we know it's that time of year. Akmed al- Zahhabi is the same when it comes to the holy month. He joins us now. Akmed, thank you for being with us. Ramadan Mubarak to you. First of all, tell us about that nickname, the Mariah Carey of Ramadan. That is quite an honor. How did that start? >> Yeah, thank you so much Jay for having me. Honestly, last year when I kept on posting videos of my recipes during uh Ramadan, a lot of people are like, I only see this guy during Ramadan when I'm fasting and when I'm hungry. So, for me, like a big reason why I post in Ramadan is because a lot of people are back in the kitchen and cooking. So, I take advantage of that and I start posting my recipes. And I'm not going to lie, when I was hungry, when I was a little kid, I used to watch Food Network all the time. So, I know there's that element of watching food while you're hungry. Uh but I know Ramadan's a lot deeper than just you know the food and the recipes. But that's why I kind of you know pop up when uh Ramadan is available. >> Yes, that is beautiful. It takes so much discipline and for you to offer some relief and comfort for folks as they are powering through that. You're a few hours into fasting today. So tell us how you're feeling and what's on the menu tonight because I'm sure you're already looking ahead to it. >> Yeah. So, one of my favorite things to make, uh, it's actually was on the screen, is my mom's chicken and potato recipe. It's just such a simple, uh, dish that's like loaded with flavor. And everything that I like to eat is usually higher protein, moderate carb, moderate fat. I actually, you know, given my page is pretty sometimes unhealthy. I actually eat pretty clean and I I do eat every single thing that I share. Uh, but at the same time, when I'm, you know, off camera, I like to eat the good stuff as well. Uh today I'm actually invited to my uncle's house. So I know he's going to have a spread, but I'm going to actually be making a crispy shishawuk sandwich today uh for my video. >> Oh my gosh, that sounds delicious. The videos we're seeing, they're they look delicious. We only have about 30 seconds left, but can you just talk to us about the importance of Ramadan? >> Yeah. Uh Ramadan's a lot deeper than just, you know, fasting and refraining from food and water. It's more of a spiritual cleanse for me. everything slows down and you kind of, you know, have this reset and focus on the right things. You refrain from, you know, cursing. You refrain from doing things that you shouldn't be doing. And you kind of, you know, go back to uh go back to God, if you will. And I I like to spend uh my Ramadan uh reading the Quran and just just taking time to spend with my family, my friends, spreading love and joy, being more generous uh to those in need. and and it's just an opportunity to just kind of remember why we're on this planet. >> A beautiful show of devotion to the faith, to community, two billion Muslims around the world. Akmed al- Zahhabi, thank you so much for being with us. >> Thank you for having me, Jana. You're the best. Appreciate it. Thanks.

Ahmad Alzahabi, the "Mariah Carey of Ramadan," shares how he brings his nearly 12 million social media followers together through his recipes. ---- Subscribe to ABC News on YouTube: https://abcnews.visitlink.me/59aJ1G ABC News Digital is your daily source of breaking national and world news, exclusive interviews and 24/7 live streaming coverage. Download the ABC News app for the latest headlines and alerts: https://abcnews.go.com/devices Watch 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events on ABC News Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN0PZCe-kwQ&ab_channel=ABCNews Watch full episodes of World News Tonight with David Muir here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQOa26lW-uI8ixlVw1NWu_l4Eh8iZW_qN&feature=shared Read ABC News reports online: http://abcnews.go.com ABC News is the home to the #1 evening newscast “World News Tonight” with David Muir, “Good Morning America,” “20/20,” “Nightline,” “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos, “ABC News Live Prime” with Linsey Davis, plus the daily news podcast “Start Here.”Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCNews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcnews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abcnews X: https://twitter.com/ABC Threads: https://www.threads.net/@abcnews WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VajTNakKWEKkXoAPIR11 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abcnews