Take it away – even if you can’t pay!
Community venture offers free food to people in need
MEMBERS of the Kurdish community in Stoke-on-trent have opened a takeaway which aims to feed everyone who comes in whether or not they can pay.
The Salahuddin Bakery is part of the Kurdish Islamic Centre in Town Road, Hanley. Everything is made fresh on site and dishes include chicken wrap, chickpea soup and Kurdish kebabs.
Prices start from £2.50 but if a customer comes in who is unable to pay, they can leave their name and the community will cover their bill.
The eatery is open every day and is staffed by volunteers. Any money that is made goes towards community projects or charity.
Centre manager Hama Kalre, of Hanley, said the Kurdish community was keen to help the people of Stoke-on-trent. The 43-year-old, who has lived in the city for 22 years, said: “We have a lot of respect for the people of Stoke-on-trent and we welcome anyone to come if they are in trouble.
“We bought the building for the community and raised the money from social media and the Muslim community across the world. It cost £700,000 to buy the building at auction and make it fit. It had been closed for a long time.
“We had a lot of people coming to our building who were homeless and we didn’t want to send them away to buy food elsewhere, so we decided to open a bakery shop for no money. We have volunteers working in the bakery from 10am to 6pm or 7pm every day.
“People can come in and give their name, and if they have no money members of the community will pay for it. Anyone can come in and we will help them. If someone has nowhere to live, they can sleep here. Anywhere in the world with a problem, we will send money.
“When the coronavirus came we helped as voluntary taxi drivers if anybody needed to travel or needed food dropping off. Stoke-on-trent people are so friendly.
“They are the nicest people in the world. I’ve been here 22 years and I have never had any trouble in Stokeon-trent. It’s my second home.”
There are thought to be 3,000 to 4,000 Kurdish people in Stoke-ontrent, most of whom have arrived in the city since 1999. Until recently they didn’t have their own building, but a couple of years ago they raised the funds to buy three buildings between Town Road and Old Town Road in Hanley.
The Kurdish Islamic Centre, which includes the Masjid Salahuddin, is now based in a former church building, which has also previously been used as The Church Bar and Restaurant. Members of the community have turned the building into a mosque with a separate area for women and children.
About 180 to 200 students aged six to 14 come to the building every week to study Arabic and the Quran from across Stoke-on-trent, not just from the Kurdish community. There are also courses for women to learn cooking and the Quran. Imam Shakhawan Karemee, of Birches Head, has lived in Stoke-on-trent for five years after moving from Coventry. The 40-year-old said: “Stoke-on-trent is beautiful. In the Kurdish community everybody likes it. Everybody comes to this building if they need advice.”
Lord Mayor Faisal Hussain recently toured the centre. He said: “A few years ago the Kurdish community didn’t have their own building. They worked together and raised the funds to purchase this building, where they can support not just their own community but also the wider community of Stoke-on-trent.
“We are a multi-cultural city and a very friendly city. Stoke-on-trent will always welcome people, and the Kurdish community will always support people.”
Hama Kalre added: “Our community is one of the best communities. Our building is open from 8am to 11pm for people to come in to pray or just come in.
“Our imams go to people’s houses advising their children, who all have a good academic record and no trouble with the police. We have a good connection with our youngsters and we want our children to have a good future.
“It was lovely to welcome the Lord Mayor to our building and see that he cares about this community.”