First Arabic restaurant 'Al Arabia' opens in Dimapur

DIMAPUR — ‘Al Arabia,’ a first of its kind restaurant serving authentic Arabic food is now opened to all food lovers at Darogapathar village in Dimapur.

The inaugural programme of the restaurant was held on Saturday with, A Rahman, working president of Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD), as the guest of honour.

Proprietor of Al Arabia, Sentirenla Jamir, shared how her stay in Qatar for almost a decade made her fall in love with Arabic food and that her long-cherished dream of having one in her home state finally materialised with the opening of Al Arabia. She expressed her wish that the restaurant will be a place to bring all communities under one roof for the love of food.

Rahman, while congratulating the proprietor, said that Al Arabia is a unique joint serving Arabic food launched by a Naga lady.

He said Nagas have developed fond taste for Muslim dishes. Seeing the increase in the number of visitors at various Muslim restaurants in and around Dimapur area, he informed that the council had earlier held a meeting with restaurant owners in order to spread awareness on serving hygienic and clean dishes.

To clear doubts of serving ‘halal’ food by Naga chefs and to officially certify it, he stated that MCD presented a certificate for serving ‘halal’ food items to the proprietor of the restaurant. He added that MCD, in the certificate, assured all food lovers that the restaurant will provide authentic Arabic ‘halal’ dishes.

Al Arabia is one of the very few restaurants catering exclusively to ‘halal’ dishes.

Dr. Wati Jamir, chairman of DAN, who also spoke at the programme, said that food ventures are one of the most profitable businesses in today’s world. He said unlike the past, many Nagas have started dining out with families.

Chairman of Darogapathar Village Council, K Ado Bizo, said that with “Islamic and Arabic taste,” one might think of beef servings only. But more than that, Al Arabia offers its best non-veg and veg preparations in Arabic way and a restaurant that is open to all.

The inaugural programme was held in the presence of Moulana Amir Hamz, Iman of Hazi Park Jama Masjid, one of the oldest masjids in Nagaland, friends and family members.

Prices of the exotic dishes start from INR 220 to INR 1100.