This post is dear to my heart for many reasons. Firstly, because it is a proactive example of what the Bint Battuta blog is about - honoring, preserving and evolving Arab and Muslim culture. Secondly, because it demonstrates a talented and courageous individual who jumps right into a task without training, but with the highest level of commitment to doing work with excellence. Thirdly because it is about Palestine, carrying the richness and beauty of it and its culture to those who can’t go there. And, lastly, because the brave and talented Palestinian woman behind the post is one of the dearest people on earth to me, Azza Al Sajdi.

I was there by her side right from the beginning when her friend, Rola asked her to design a Palestinian restaurant that she wanted to open in the area of JBR, in Dubai. At the time, Azza was taking a rest from her very successful career in marketing in the corporate world, all of her friends know and love her sense of beauty, culture and deep understanding of Palestinian identity. So it came as no surprise when I heard that Azza had been offered this project and had accepted it.

For the next year, Azza undertook intense research into the process of bringing the restaurant to life. She also made a trip to Jordan and Palestine to source the materials and pieces as authentically as possible and some items were designed by her and executed by craftsmen that she found and collaborated with. She deeply wanted to present Palestine through the culinary world in a modern and warm way that fully reflected its charm. And, this is precisely what she did, through the creation of the restaurant, Simsim.