Because the solar set, a Palestinian-owned espresso store in Los Gatos lit up with life as dozens of individuals observing Ramadan stopped by to interrupt their fasts final Saturday.
Kenz Espresso Bar operates out of a trailer throughout the road from Leigh Excessive Faculty and subsequent to the leisure and academic group Bay Space Muslim Recreation, or BAMREC. In the course of the month of Ramadan, they placed on a collection of occasions, launching new espresso flavors and internet hosting a meals truck iftar for folks observing Ramadan. Mohammad Subeh, an emergency room physician and proprietor of Kenz, mentioned he needed to carry these occasions to deliver folks collectively and create a way of neighborhood, since he felt that individuals had been changing into extra remoted within the final decade or so.
“It’s really to open up a space for people to be here amongst their fellow human beings, to learn from one another, and also to not turn a blind eye to a lot of the struggles that people face — not only locally, but abroad,” Subeh mentioned.
Baristas Hana Phiwreungnon, left, and Blake Torrijos pose with proprietor Mohammad Subeh, proper, in entrance of Kenz Espresso Bar in Los Gatos. In the course of the month of Ramadan, Kenz hosted a collection of occasions, launching new espresso flavors and internet hosting a meals truck iftar for folks observing Ramadan. “It’s really to open up a space for people to be here amongst their fellow human beings,” Subeh mentioned. (Picture by Nollyanne Delacruz)
Ramadan is the ninth month within the Islamic calendar, recognizing the month when the Quran was believed to be revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Muslims who observe Ramadan abstain from meals and water from daybreak till sundown. Iftar references the night meal once they finish their quick. In response to a research on the Bay Space Muslim neighborhood led by professors at Santa Clara College and UC Berkeley, round 250,000 folks within the Bay Space, or 3.5%, are Muslim.
The world was embellished with a Palestinian flag hanging by the counter and string lights and crescent moons hanging from the awnings. A desk of dried dates and bottled water was set out for folks to interrupt their fasts and mats had been unfurled for folks to wish on. YSG HALAL YeeShaans Grubb parked a meals truck within the parking zone and served burgers and loaded fries whereas Crepivore proprietor Ryan Fradj cooked up crepes for dessert.
Ramadan decorations are seen round Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
A girl grabs a date earlier than breaking their quick throughout an iftar occasion at Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
Baked items are seen on the market from Deo’s Goodies throughout an iftar occasion at Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
Group members line as much as order meals earlier than breaking their quick throughout an iftar occasion at Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
Ryan Fradj, proprietor of Crepivore, makes crepes throughout an iftar occasion at Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
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Ramadan decorations are seen round Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
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This wasn’t the primary time a Ramadan occasion was held on the espresso store. Subeh got here to the U.S. as a refugee, and he mentioned his dad and mom taught him and his siblings to know the accountability that comes with their privileges. Since October 2023, Subeh has been utilizing the house to teach the general public concerning the struggles of Palestinians, and final 12 months, their Ramadan fundraiser raised cash to supply support and diet to folks in Gaza. Subeh mentioned additionally they labored with a number of non-governmental organizations, like Heal Palestine, to assist evacuate kids and supply meals, healthcare provides and schooling kids and others affected by the battle in Gaza.
“Having a coffee shop is a privilege. Being able to create these spaces is a privilege, and so we don’t use it just to create experiences that are comfortable for us,” Subeh mentioned. “It’s really pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones to make sure that our fellow human beings that are not living with the comforts that we enjoy can have a voice, can be heard, can be seen.”
Mai Nass, a BAMREC expertise designer, added that as Muslims observe Ramadan, they aren’t indulging in issues which are normally permissible, like meals, and it offers their neighborhood some perception in what much less lucky persons are experiencing all over the world, whereas additionally serving to them construct self-discipline and attain issues they could not suppose they’ll do.
Nass mentioned that she hoped the occasion would encourage folks to develop a reference to the store and are available again to extra occasions sooner or later.
And as folks frolicked with their family members through the iftar, they mirrored on how observing Ramadan introduced them nearer to their communities and to their religions.
The evening come as neighborhood members put together to interrupt their quick throughout an iftar occasion at Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
Ryan Fradj, middle, leads a bunch in prayer throughout an iftar at Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
Group members pray earlier than breaking their quick throughout an iftar occasion at Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
Group members line as much as order drinks earlier than breaking their quick throughout an iftar occasion at Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
Hana Phiwreungnan prepares drinks at Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
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The evening come as neighborhood members put together to interrupt their quick throughout an iftar occasion at Kenz Espresso Roasters in Los Gatos, Calif., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
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Wadia Mahzabeen, a 27-year-old Oakland resident, attended the occasion along with her buddy and her buddy’s mother. Usually, she could be breaking her quick with mates or they are going to all go to a mosque to eat, however her buddy had seen Kenz’s occasion on-line they usually determined to go.
She mentioned that observing Ramadan has helped her align higher along with her values and be extra intentional about how she was spending her time and the way she interacted with others. This 12 months, her focus was on neighborhood.
“Usually, this holiday has been very tied to my family, so it’s been really special to have other ways to access these parts of me that are outside of just my family,” Mahzabeen mentioned.
Omar and Tarek Dahbour, 17-year-old twin brothers from San Mateo, mentioned they attended Kenz’s occasion as a result of it allowed them to see their previous mates and broaden their community whereas celebrating their faith and serving to out small companies. Tarek Dhabour mentioned that he aimed to remain off social media as a lot as doable and be respectful to elders and youthful folks, whereas Omar Dhabour mentioned that he used the time to get nearer to his faith.
“Fasting certainly isn’t easy, but it lets you know that other people are doing it, too and that you can celebrate with them and enjoy this time and self-reflection,” Omar Dhabour mentioned.
Subeh expanded on the aim of Ramadan in connection to Kenz. The identify was chosen by his son, from the Arabic phrase that means treasure, referencing to how roasting espresso unlocks the “treasure” contained in the beans. Likewise, the month of Ramadan offers Muslims the chance to “unlock the treasure” that’s inside themselves.
“It’s important for us to continue to discover that in ourselves, and in our fellow human beings,” Subeh mentioned.
