Yemeni Coffee Shop Brews Hope in Mumbai

A small coffee shop in Mumbai's Bhendi Bazar offers an authentic Yemeni experience, transporting visitors with its rustic decor and Arabic calligraphy. This establishment is part of a vital upliftment project aimed at helping Yemeni farmers abandon the cultivation of qat, a recreational stimulant, in favor of coffee. The initiative, inspired by the late spiritual leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, focuses on the Haraz region, promoting coffee as a healthier and more profitable alternative. Current spiritual head Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin has blessed the project, recognizing its benefits for both the farmers' well-being and economy, and the global reputation of Yemeni coffee. The coffee shop also serves traditional Yemeni dishes, including lahsa, shafoot, and bint al-sahn, prepared by a chef trained in culinary arts. This culinary connection strengthens the historical ties between the Dawoodi Bohra community and Yemen, which served as their spiritual headquarters for centuries. A second branch is operational in Surat, attracting both community members and non-members, with its appealing ambiance and adjoining gift shop.