Islam plays an important role to the owners and Muslim customers of Yemen Cafe. The restaurant does not serve any alcohol or pork and only serves halal meat. The meat served at the restaurant is ordered from Syed’s Halal Meat, owned by a halal butcher who has been providing his services to the Muslim community for many decades. Whether they are craving lamb or chicken,customers have a variety of meals from which to choose including haneeth, massloug, shish kabab, glaba, agda, and many more.
The Yemen Cafe has flexible hours to accommodate the staff and customers’ religious obligations. For example, the restaurant is closed for Jummah prayer during Friday afternoons. During the month of Ramadan, which is the month of fasting, the restaurant is closed for most of the day, but opens for Iftar, the breaking of the fast. This is usually a very busy time for the restaurant, which often remains open late into the night for Muslims to have Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal. During this time, the restaurant acts a place for the Muslim community to create social ties and become more connected with each other.
Masjid Al-Farooq is located at 552 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Masjid Al-Farooq is located less than a mile away from Yemen Cafe, which surrounds the community’s Arabic store-fronts, halal food shops, butchers, clothing stores, and bookstores. The location of this mosque is significant because it is near the Atlantic Avenue-Barclay’s Center subway stop and Long Island Railroad stations. Access to the mosque makes it more convenient for the Muslim community to pray together and celebrate holidays.
The frontal view of Masjid Al Farooq, adjacent to a local bookstore (left) and gift shop (right).
Eid al-Fitr is an Islamic holiday commonly referred to as “Feast of Breaking the Fast.” The celebration begins with an early morning prayer held at the mosque. There is a range of cultures within the community, including Arab and South Asians; however, the majority in this neighborhood are from Yemen. After the prayers are complete, the feast begins with breakfast, which includes eggs, foul, sabaya, and, who could forget, fresh Yemeni coffee. Eventually, the entire building will be filled with family and guests as they end their meals by exchanging gifts. The rest of the day is spent with family drinking tea over small talk; these conversations usually start with business or politics and end in remembrance of past Eids.
Sabaya is a multi-layered bread topped with honey and can be served with a side of eggs and foul.
Sources:
Maleeke, A.K. “Eid Al Fitr NYC 2013.” My Arab Life. N.p. 8 Aug. 2013. Web. 1 May 2014. http://myarablife.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/eid-al-fitr-nyc-2013/.
