First halal kitchen in new Hong Kong community living room for Muslim residents

In the old but bustling Hong Kong neighbourhood of To Kwa Wan, a small community living room with a dedicated halal kitchen offers a vital sanctuary for Muslim residents like Azmat Tariq.

The 2,000 square feet (186 square metres) space, which is called HUB13, on Pau Chung Street is where the Pakistani homemaker, who lives with her husband and three children in a tenement building with no elevator, can take a rare moment of respite.

There, Azmat gathers with others from the neighbourhood, learns about health management and can seek help for any problems she faces.

“I felt hesitant and shy about sharing anything with others before … I was always busy at home and had no time to go outside and make friends,” the 48-year-old said.

“But in HUB13, for one day each week, different ethnic minority families come here. We make food and just chit-chat, sharing our feelings … I feel relaxed here and more confident.”

Operated by NGO Caritas Hong Kong using private funding, HUB13 is designed to support families who live in the “13 Streets” – a cluster of old and dilapidated buildings in To Kwa Wan.