On West 49th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown Manhattan, Joe Caffrey recalls the long queue forming through the night at one of the popular halal street stands run by Egyptian vendors.
“I was with another guy and we actually counted 115 people. We walked to the end of the line and it took about 45 minutes for us to get our food,” said Mr Caffrey, 57, who works nights at a nearby NBC studio.
But Mr Caffrey found a way around the wait for the coveted dishes that attract thousands of New Yorkers and tourists daily.
“We learnt that if you work for NBC, you stand on the side and you show them your ID, and they'll serve you in less than 10 minutes,” he said. “There’s also a special line for Uber and Taxi drivers.”
This recurring scene reflects a trend that has been growing over the past three decades on the busy streets of New York, with the halal label becoming an integral part of the food scene. Egyptian vendors - some of whom have taken this business to an almost industrial level - are largely credited with its rise in popularity.
"Halal" refers to the Islamic method of slaughter that renders meat acceptable to consume. But for most New Yorkers and tourists, it has become a shorthand for lamb or chicken over rice, served with a variety of sauces and salad.
“It's been a staple, basically. When people come here to visit, they say let's go to The Halal Guys on Sixth Avenue,” said Sajina Shrestha, a 23-year-old graduate student who grew up in Jackson Heights in Queens, referring to the yellow-labelled Egyptian street stands that have turned into a popular franchise.
There are no official statistics on the number of Egyptian street food vendors in New York, but across the central business district in Manhattan, a majority of halal stands and hotdog pushcarts seem to be run by Egyptians, with most of the more than two dozen carts and stands we approached in the area run or owned by them.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was an influx of Egyptian immigration to the US, and New York in particular, according to a study by the Migration Policy Institute.
Sirine Mechbal, an adjunct professor of sociology at Rutgers University, argues that a number of Egyptians choose food vending as an entry-level economic activity, similar to waves of previous immigrants, including the Greeks, who dominated this business in the 1970s and 1980s in New York.
Ms Mechbal argues that Egyptians have introduced and consolidated “a monopoly” on the halal label, which has become integral to the city's street food scene.
Today, there are as many as 20,000 street vendors in the city, selling everything from cooked food, fruits and vegetables, to clothing and art. Most are immigrants and people of colour from different ethnicities and nationalities, according to the Street Vendor Project, a non-profit advocacy organisation.
“Egyptians have a preference for cooking and selling food on the street, just like other Arab immigrants prefer to drive taxis or Uber cars,” said Hicham Hennedi, a 48-year-old Egyptian vendor who works on a popular halal cart on the corner of 77th Street and Lexington Avenue.
Before moving to the US, Mr Hennedi owned a deli business in Egypt. In 2006, he received a visa through the Green Card lottery. Now, Mr Hennedi, who “genuinely enjoys cooking" and “pampering” his customers, serves up sandwiches and on-demand meals to hungry New Yorkers.
A few dozen blocks south, Fathy Ebouelmagd, a hotdog vendor on the corner of 49th Street and Sixth Avenue, argues that newly arrived Egyptian immigrants are often eager - and in most cases desperate - to find work. The high cost of living in the city and the need to support families back home pushes many towards street food vending.
“It’s one of the most accessible options for them, especially those who lack credentials, skills or language fluency to apply for jobs” in the formal economy, explains Mr Eboulmagd, 29, who moved to New York about 14 years ago.
The size of the Egypt-born population in the US grew significantly during the 1980s and 1990s, and a significant number of those newcomers settled in New York.
This surge in Egyptian immigration to the city coincided with a rapid increase in Bangladeshi immigration to New York. Experts have linked the boost in halal street food to the significant increase in the number of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and other Muslim immigrants coming to New York during that period.
They picked another niche industry popular among immigrants: taxi driving.
“All those Muslim cab drivers needed to eat on the spot while doing long hours shifts in the city. And this is how Egyptians discovered this niche market,” said Ms Mechbal.
And it's not only street food. Citywide, the halal label is established today as an integral part of the New York street food scene, from push carts in Times Square and Museum Mile, to chain restaurants, and food trucks roaming the five boroughs. In March 2022, New York even held its first “Halal Restaurant Week”.
Still, the halal label has also made the food vendors targets for abuse. In November, in footage that went viral, an Egyptian-American vendor was confronted on at least two occasions by a man who berated his Islamic faith, threatened his family in Egypt and accused him of supporting Hamas.
Stuart Seldowitz, a career diplomat, was arrested and charged with aggravated harassment, a hate crime and two counts of stalking.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
More coverage from the Future Forum
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
UAE squad
Men's draw: Victor Scvortov and Khalifa Al Hosani, (both 73 kilograms), Sergiu Toma and Mihail Marchitan (90kg), Ivan Remarenco (100kg), Ahmed Al Naqbi (60kg), Musabah Al Shamsi and Ahmed Al Hosani (66kg)
Women’s draw: Maitha Al Neyadi (57kg)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%206%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Tim%20Merlier%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%20%E2%80%93%203hrs%2041min%2012sec.%3Cbr%3E2.%20Sam%20Bennett%20(GBR)%20Bora%20%E2%80%93%20Hansgrohe%20%E2%80%93%20ST%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dylan%20Groenewegen%20(NED)%20Team%20Jayco%20Alula%20%E2%80%93%20ST%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EGeneral%20classification%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lucas%20Plapp%20(AUS)%20Ineos%20Grenaders%20%E2%80%93%209sec%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pello%20Bilbao%20(ESP)%20Bahrain%20Victorious%20%E2%80%93%2013sec%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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