Islamabad: Ethiopian coffee has made its debut in Pakistan with the opening of Habasha, the first dedicated Ethiopian coffee cafe in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Oumer Hussien Oba, inaugurated the cafe on Sunday, August 30. The ceremony was preceded by a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, attended by members of the Ethiopian community, embassy officials and media representatives.
Speaking after the ceremony, Ambassador Oba said the opening marked the arrival of Ethiopian coffee in Pakistan, with the first cafe of its kind in the twin cities. He highlighted Ethiopia's association with Arabica coffee and described the initiative as an opportunity to introduce Pakistani consumers to the country's coffee heritage and culture.
The cafe is in Bahria Town Phase 7 and is owned by an Ethiopian and Pakistani couple. According to the ambassador, this ownership reflects growing people-to-people links between Pakistan and Ethiopia.
The cafe is named Habasha, a historic name associated with Ethiopia. Ambassador Oba said the name resonates in Pakistan because of historical links with Hazrat Bilal Habashi (R.A.) and King Nejashi, who provided refuge to early Muslim migrants during the First Hijra.
Cafe owner Naeem Hashmi said Habasha was established as a space for Pakistanis and Ethiopians to share and discover each other's art, culture, music and tourism.
The ambassador also emphasised the importance of cultural exchange and people-to-people contact in strengthening relations between Pakistan and Ethiopia beyond official diplomatic and economic ties.
The opening gives Ethiopian coffee a dedicated presence in the twin cities while providing a venue for cultural interaction between the two countries.
