ZUBAIR QURESHI
Ethiopian coffee has made its debut in the twin cities with the inauguration of the first dedicated Ethiopian coffee café, marking a new chapter in cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and Ethiopia.
Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan, Dr Oumer Hussien Oba, inaugurated the café, named “Habesha,” on Sunday. The inauguration was preceded by a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony attended by members of the Ethiopian community, Embassy officials and representatives of the media.
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists after the ceremony, Ambassador Oba highlighted the growing relations between Ethiopia and Pakistan and described the café as an important cultural initiative that could bring the peoples of the two countries closer.
He said the opening represented Ethiopian coffee’s first dedicated presence in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
“From the birthplace of humankind to the home of Arabica coffee, Ethiopia is called the Land of Origins for all the right reasons,” the ambassador remarked.
The ambassador said the café’s ownership by an Ethiopian-Pakistani couple gave the initiative additional significance, describing it as a reflection of the growing friendship and fraternity between the two countries.
He also explained the significance of the name Habesha, a historic name associated with Ethiopia, which, he noted, carries a special resonance among Pakistanis because of their deep reverence for Hazrat Bilal Habashi (R.A.) and King Nejashi, who provided refuge to early Muslim migrants during the First Hijra.
The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a prominent part of Ethiopian social and cultural life, provided visitors with an opportunity to experience the country’s distinctive coffee traditions and hospitality.
Ambassador Oba reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations, particularly through greater cultural interaction and people-to-people contacts. He stressed that cultural exchanges could complement diplomatic and economic cooperation by allowing citizens of both countries to better understand each other’s traditions, heritage and way of life.
The initiative also seeks to introduce Pakistanis to Ethiopian coffee culture while providing a platform for broader cultural engagement.
Naeem Hashmi, owner of the café, said the establishment was conceived as more than simply a coffee outlet.
“Through Habesha, we want to create a space that brings Pakistan and Ethiopia closer together, a platform where both nations can share and discover each other’s art, culture, music and tourism,” he said.
The opening of Habesha comes as Pakistan and Ethiopia seek to expand their bilateral engagement beyond traditional diplomatic and economic cooperation. The café is expected to serve as a cultural meeting point where Pakistani and Ethiopian communities, coffee enthusiasts and visitors can experience Ethiopian traditions in an informal setting.
The initiative also highlights the role of private citizens and cultural enterprises in strengthening relations between the two countries, offering a grassroots dimension to the expanding Pakistan-Ethiopia partnership.
