A scoop of ice cream can carry memories, and for many residents in the UAE, the reopening of Kazem in Ajman is more than just about dessert. It’s about reconnecting with home.

Forced to close its doors in Gaza in 2023 as the Israel-Hamas war escalated, the ice cream shop has now reopened in the Emirates, bringing with it both its famous frozen treats and a taste of Palestinian heritage.

At the new shop in Ajman, customers can enjoy Kazem’s creamy ice cream alongside its legendary barrad, a refreshing citrus slushy that generations grew up with.

A taste of home, far from home

Owner Mohammad Kazem Abu Shaban, whose father founded the business, said he chose Ajman for its established local Palestinian community.

“Every time they come here, (they) say it brings back memories of 30, 40 years ago,” Abu Shaban said. 

“It brings back memories of the days when they used to go to Gaza and drink the barrad that I’m famous for.”

More than ice cream

Kazem was part of Gaza’s fabric for over 70 years before conflict forced it to shut down. Though its original location briefly reopened earlier this year, shortages and instability made it difficult to keep operating.

The Ajman shop, he added, is his way of keeping the spirit of Gaza alive. 

Local love

For residents like Mohammad Khamis Ali Al Mazrouei, one taste was enough to understand the buzz.

“I mean, it is special,” he said after trying the ice cream and barrad.

And Abu Shaban isn’t stopping with Ajman. He hopes to open branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, giving even more residents the chance to savour a piece of Palestinian heritage.

For UAE residents, Kazem is more than a new dessert spot; it’s a story of resilience, heritage, and community, served one scoop at a time.

(Source: Reuters)