My name is Kazi Mannan, I am the owner of Sakina Halal Grill in Washington, D.C., just couple of blocks away from the White House.
This is a restaurant with a mission and I started my mission back in 2013 when nobody actually believed in it, even my own son. When I told him that I am on a mission to conquer the world through the power of love, he said, “Good luck, Dad.”
When we started, I brought many of the homeless that live in the streets and I saw them suffering for a decent meal and they all just really pained me and I said, “When one day I have a restaurant, I will open my door for them,” and that’s what I did.
Since we started the mission, every day we’re on a mission to give them a hot meal, a healthy meal, and that’s what we do in our restaurant.
Now, in six years, we are feeding 80 to 90 people a day and I hope this mission continues, not only in this restaurant but many restaurants in the world.
In my own life, you know, there was a time when I was really struggling for another meal. I remember my days when I used to pass by around the restaurant and it smelled good, and I just, like, I wanted to go in, but I didn’t have money.
I wanted to create, when someone doesn’t have money, they can go to a restaurant, a fine dining restaurant, and still the restaurant is kind enough to share the meal.
Just think, in six years, I proved that I’m not broke, my restaurant is still working, we’re still making money, we don’t collect donations.
You know, the food we have, we can still share and still make a profit. So, that’s what, you know, I’m asking people: Start respecting each other. Let’s live a purpose-driven life.
