Coronavirus: Dubai restaurant forced to close in Covid-19 pandemic back in business after social media support – The National

Coronavirus: Dubai restaurant forced to close in Covid-19 pandemic back in business after social media support – The National

News of Habet Barakah's plight went viral online, helping its owners to revive their dream

















Ahmed Nimer and Nour Assaf  said their restaurant business had been saved by kind-hearted strangers. Chris Whiteoak / The National







A Dubai restaurant that was on the verge of closing due to the Covid-19 outbreak was back in business a week later thanks to the power of social media.



Family-run Habet Barakah opened in September last year but it hit hard times when the pandemic struck and restaurants had to close.



Jordanian husband-and-wife owners Ahmed Nimer and Nour Assaf were heartbroken when their culinary dreams appeared to have been dashed.



However, when news of their plight went viral online, they were inspired by the outpouring of goodwill to give the business a second shot.









Never underestimate the value of a good deed, no matter how small. It may change the lives of others





Shadi Shawqi





"We were doing well at first and then Covid hit and the orders stopped,“ said Ms Assaf, 38.



During Ramadan, they distributed free meals to needy families and decided that they would close the business