Fratello restaurant opens in Cairo, a seed of solidarity in the name of the Abu Dhabi Declaration
Inspired by the document signed by Pope Francis and Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the first location of the Human Fraternity restaurant chain has been active for a few weeks, providing complete, free meals to people in need. The restaurant “is doing very well" and has had "positive" feedback, aiming to “guarantee food for 5,000 families every year,” said Mgr Gaid Yoannis Lazhi speaking to AsiaNews. Meanwhile, more initiatives are planned for Ramadan.
Cairo (AsiaNews) – This is a "dream come true" conceived and developed in the name of "humanity, fraternity, solidarity, and love" among people at a time of extreme need, said Fr Gaid Yoannis Lazhi, speaking about the mission of a restaurant named Fratello (Brother) that opened in the Egyptian capital Cairo on 9 January.
The place "works very well both in offering meals to disadvantaged families and in receiving donations from people and institutions" in support of the initiative itself, Mgr Lazhi explained.
"We are seeing a very positive response and several Arab TV channels have visited the restaurant and done some positive reports,” added the clergyman, who is a former personal secretary of Pope Francis and Holy See representative on the High Committee for Human Fraternity.
Egypt's Minister of Social Solidarity Nevin Al-Kabbaj attended the inauguration of the new eatery, the first of the Human Fraternity restaurant chain, which saw the light of day thanks to a 20 per cent financial contribution from the Egyptian government.
In addition to the minister and Mgr Lazhi, the event saw the participation of Ambassador Nabila Makram, former Egyptian Minister of State for Migration and Egyptians Abroad, founder and chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fahim Foundation for Psychological Support, as well as Osama Al-Azhari, advisor to the President of Egypt.
Several ambassadors and influential Egyptian and foreign public figures were also present, as were a group of families from across Egypt who were the first to take advantage of the restaurant’s assistance.
In May 2023, the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity and the Human Fraternity Foundation signed a protocol whereby the latter’s restaurants would provide nutritionally complete and free meals to families in need.
Meals will be provided to everyone through the contribution of those who can bear the cost in favour of those who cannot.
“The target is to guarantee food for 5,000 families every year,” explained Mgr Lazhi, who also chairs the Bambino Gesù association, a Cairo-based non-profit organisation, and former head of the Church of St Francis in the Abrahamic Family House, United Arab Emirates.
“In addition, during the (Muslim sacred) month of Ramadan, three to five events will be organised to feed 2,500 people,” the clergyman added, with “families welcomed every day between 1 and 3 pm", each with “at least six to eight people”.
The restaurant offers the same menu for everyone, with many options, including meals for children with complete nutritional value, like what is often referred to as a happy meal in regular restaurants.
Speaking about the initiative, which will continue and expand, the Minister of Social Solidarity Nevin Al-Kabbaj stressed that fraternity represents the universal bond of humanity, regardless of class affiliation, religious faith, or political ideas.
"Helping to guarantee these rights is everyone's duty, especially financial institutions and economically advantaged groups," Kabbaj said, noting that the Human Fraternity Foundation is a "non-profit charity”.
Finally, the minister renewed his appeal "in support of human fraternity, conforming to the values and principles of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb."
For her part, Ambassador Nabila Makram, of the Fahim Foundation, spoke about the protocol of cooperation signed by the Human Fraternity Foundation and her foundation.
She expressed appreciation for the restaurant project by the Human Fraternity Foundation, “which constitutes a form of psychological support for the neediest groups and, at the same time, a form of support for families."
Founded in 2022, the Human Fraternity Foundation has become a leading civil society actor in Egypt in two short years with various projects, like the "Oasis of Mercy" orphanage, medical convoys, the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Cairo (the first papal hospital outside Italy), and the School of Human Fraternity for people with disabilities, as well as the "Fratello" restaurant chain.
The charity has developed thanks to “people who have worked hard, tirelessly and with dedication", Mgr Lazhi said, leading “to the opening of the first restaurant in record time.”
"We all know how important goodness, humanity, fraternity, solidarity and love are,” the clergyman said. They help “to be better, be more useful to ourselves and others, to leave some positive sign or effect on the paths of life. We all hope to reduce the suffering that surrounds us.”
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