The Moroccan Kitchen: Muhajir-Run Takeaway in Idlib

While ‘muhajirun’ (‘migrants’- referring to foreigners who went to the insurgent-held areas of Syria) are generally associated with armed groups and aid organisations, many of them also participate in the local economy in the areas they reside. In the insurgent-held areas of Idlib and its environs, a number of them run businesses such as shops, restaurants and takeaways.

The Moroccan Kitchen is one example of a muhajir-run takeaway, operating out of Idlib city and principally advertising itself on Telegram. As its name suggests, the takeaway serves Moroccan food, and it is run by a Moroccan muhajir. I conducted a brief interview with the takeaway owner (Abu Ibrahim al-Maghribi) on 22 May 2023.