Sleman’s in the Mood to open a cafe
A KURDISH refugee and former British Red Cross worker has opened a town centre cafe.
Sleman Shwaish and his family fled wartorn Syria in 2012 and settled in Huddersfield.
Having completed his degree in what was Syria’s largest city Aleppo, the Assad regime tried to force Sleman to join his country’s Army.
The army, under president Bashar alAssad, had committed countless atrocities against those who had stood up to the despot. Joining his army was not an option, but refusing could have had worse consequences.
After settling in Huddersfield, Sleman completed a master’s degree in nutrition and food science at the town’s university.
But his experience as a refugee and with Huddersfield’s growing Kurdish community earned him a job for Kirklees Council as an interpreter and as a refugee worker for the British Red Cross.
He now works as a resettlement caseworker for the Refugee Council but has decided to branch out and supply his beloved new home with top coffee, fresh juice and Middle Eastern food.
The name ‘Mood’ came about while Sleman was stuck at home alone during Covid lockdown. Sleman, 33, said: “During Covid-19 I felt like I was missing meeting people, the communication and the socialising.
“I was living alone and suffering loneliness. I wanted a cosy place where you could socialise and mix with others and meet other people.
“It’s because of my mood during the pandemic. I wanted to bring the mood from a bad one to a good one.”
Sleman says he feels lucky he came straight to Huddersfield after leaving Syria, which he described as a ‘country of death.’
He said: “It’s really friendly. I really like Huddersfield. I support Huddersfield Town and I have my season ticket for the fourth year. People here are welcoming to people from Syria.”
Sleman, who will be running the cafe on Westgate with his sisters Aveen and Areen, hopes customers will enjoy his coffee from Huddersfield suppliers Bean Brothers.
Also on the menu is freshly-squeezed juice and traditional Middle Eastern fare such as shawarma (marinaded lamb or chicken slices), mutabal (aubergine dip), hummus and baklava (small filo pastries with dried fruits soaked in syrup).
Sleman said: “Huddersfield people really like our cuisine. It’s healthy and delicious.”