It's eat, pray and love at Zabadani

MOVING from a small coffee shop to a bigger one, Zabadani Cafe took with it friends, great food, and faith.

A fusion of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and western layered coffee preparation, with a great ambiance and service that makes customers come back with more friends, Zabadani Cafe have evolved into a much-loved coffee shop in the Davao City.

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Zabadani used to be in a quaint, low-ceilinged cafe back in 2008. At the corner of Rizal and Ponciano Reyes Streets, fronting the old Oboza house, a door between two shops (with a cute green fence around it) that would lead you up a narrow staircase, and into a cozy-looking coffee and internet cafe where people can squat on mats or sit on chairs and tables.

Now at Door 3, Bustamante Bldg. Ponciano Reyes St., Zabadani Cafe has become a must-go coffee shop in the city.

Owners Wadilkhaery Ibn Mohammad Ali and Aleem Anzano Ibn Syradz Madid Ebrahim, who's currently in Qatar, wanted a business that is sensitive to the requirements of Islam, serving healthy and Halal food, but would be open to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

"We chose food and beverages because of our inclination to this industry. Aleem Anzano on authentic Islamic Middle Eastern food and me on coffee preparation and other Halal drinks. We wanted to engage in a business that is Halal. By saying Halal, we mean those that are prescribed by the Almighty creator," Wadilkhaery or Wadi told this writer.

Wadi was once a Christian seminarian and has converted back to Islam three years ago. However in practicing his belief, he had a hard time looking for a Halal restaurant that serves well up to the religious requirements of Islam.

"There were a lot of cafes that claim that they are Halal but do not fully grasp the concept of Halal food which is healthy. This is what moved us. We wanted to offer Halal food that is beneficial to one's health. Our Halal products are not seen or offered at other cafes and restaurants in the city," he said.

First, the name, Zabadani is a summer destination in Damascus (Dimasq), Syria. Wadi said Aleem Anzano finished his studies in Zabadani and they thought of deriving their place-name from there "for distinction and ease in retention and utterance."

"There were a lot of things to consider in starting up a business. It needs constant thinking-though, capital saving, skills-upgrade, and a lot of surrender to the Almighty Creator. Engaging in business activity in Davao itself is quite a challenge because it hosts a good group of globally competitive shops. But we liked to think that we didn't start this business to compete but to establish Zabadani to be able to offer Halal food to everyone," Wadi said.

Zabadani opened on December 2008 with an internet cafe and a coffee shop that served layered coffee and a small range of Middle Eastern food.

Wadi recalled that the shop opened just when the global recession affected everyone.

"It was tough. We started out from scratch and pursued this with the grace of the Almighty Creator. What we did was we replicated the seed-money scheme to propel the business and with the grace of the Almighty Creator, it's working. We also scout suppliers at the lowest price and control unnecessary expenses. We have devised events that value the customers and their money like poetry reading sessions, open houses, value meals, etchetera," Wadi said.

"We are nearly through the critical observation years. There were so much lessons which I think helped us propel forward. If the Creator wills, we see Zabadani Cafe responding to the Halal needs for Muslims and the quest for healthy eating of non-Muslims in more areas in the city," he said.

Today, this comfy cafe has become a regular hang-out for locales most of whom already know each other. One of the reasons why customers of Zabadani keeps coming back and have multiplied is the good old word-of-mouth.

It's only usual to see two sets of customers see a third group come in and realize they all know each other.

Zabadani's interior design is also an element of its success. Warm earth colors of green, brown and yellow fill the room with the distinct design and elements of the Islamic Middle East. Book shelves line up the wall with books on Muslim and Christian religions and general knowledge, which are available for free reading. Potted green plants also liven up the place.

Customers here can sit or lie down on matted platforms. Pillows and short coffee tables make these platforms look so inviting. Reading books or surfing the net, sharing stories, poetry, and experiences, and even group counseling, Zabadani has become a place that always has good vibes for friendship and companionship regardless of what religion its customers have.

Wadi himself has a prayer room made in keeping with his strong faith, especially now in celebration of the Ramadan.

Also with Zabadani's great service, the cafe has a distinct quality which makes it safe to say that its customers have similar interests although they may be students, artists, photographers, journalists, poets, and development workers.
Zabadani has also become a must-go shop for visiting Arab Muslims and have attracted tourists from South Korea, Sweden, and Belgium, some of which spend much of their time in the city lounging in this cafes' mats.

Wadi said the secret ingredient to starting a business is a "total surrender to the Almighty Creator of your business."

"You just do everything that you can at the top of your abilities and if the Almighty Creator wills, you shall be able to find your share in the blessings of the world, and we are encouraged by the Almighty Creator to find our share of the graces on earth," Wade said.

As a message to those who want to start their own business, Wadi said it is very much important that you start with what you love to do.

"We begin with a plan and our plans must be closely attuned with the things that we love most, appropriate necessary funds and skills to back that plan and offer these the Almighty Creator to grant your desires. If it brings good to you or if it brings you harm, the Almighty Creator knows best," Wadi said.