Umm Wad's small food stand in Najaf. (Photo: 964media)
For 'a decent life'
Najaf couple launches food stand on iconic corniche
NAJAF — A couple in Kufa has opened a small food stand on Najaf’s famous corniche, offering a range of fast foods including sandwiches, kebabs, appetizers, and various drinks. The menu also features dolma, a dish well-loved by locals.
Umm Wad, the owner of the stand, told 964media, “I wanted to start this project to help my husband provide a decent life for our only daughter and to avoid the struggles caused by economic difficulties.” She added, “Our stand offers pizza, saj bread, kebab, chicken and beef shawarma, dolma, as well as hot and cold drinks and desserts. Our project is beginning to succeed, and we thank God for that. We hope to expand it in the future.”
Her husband, Fahd Wissam, explained that despite both holding university diplomas—his in medical devices technology and hers in accounting—job opportunities in government have been scarce. “We serve a variety of fast foods and hope to expand into a full restaurant someday,” Wissam told 964media. He recalled, “We were hungry but couldn’t find any food stalls or restaurants offering quick meals, so we decided to fill that gap.”
Customers have responded positively to the stand. Saad Al-Saffar said, “We support these small businesses because they are clean, offer delicious food, and are run by graduates who chose to rely on themselves. We always buy dolma from Umm Wad’s stand. Her food rivals that of restaurants, and her prices are very reasonable. I encourage Najafi families to visit and try her meals.”
Another customer, Bushra Al-Sunbali, noted, “We need to support small businesses like hers so they can grow. Her food is clean and delicious, like homemade meals, so there’s no need to bring food from home when Umm Wad is here.”