"I think the title of this event says it all, 'Solidarity for Victims of Hurricane Sandy'. Because, you know, it does not have a face. We are all together. We are all unified in a cause that is affecting everybody," she said.

It is that sense of unity that matters to Fatima Aujali, whose father is the Libyan Ambassador to the United States.

"Muslim people really care about our friends and the American people. This is just us trying to do something to help them out,' she said.

Guests bid on donated items as they explored the cultures of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iraq, Indonesia, Libya, Tunisia, Turkey, Jordan and the Palestinian territories.

"I have not been exposed to many Muslim countries, and this is a very good opportunity to see them and meet them and talk about it," she said.

They also feasted on a vast array of Asian and Middle Eastern delights.

The combination of diversity and unity appealed to U.S. Deputy Chief of Protocol Natalie Jones.

"So many women and so many countries came together in such little time to unite around victims of Hurricane Sandy, and they did this through the power of food and their cultures and traditions," she said.

Jones praised the event as "culinary diplomacy" in action.