Discover the Hummus Recipe That Made an Important Impact on Syrian Life
It’s also the best hummus I’ve ever tasted
The True Origins of Hummus
According to a well-known Palestinian author, Mahmoud Habboush, hummus is from Syria.
His research discovered a hummus recipe in a 13th-century Syrian cookbook. While the true origins of hummus may be debated, it’s an interesting insight into how important this dish is to the Syrian culture.
We recently dined at Halab Penang, a local Middle Eastern restaurant in Malaysia. It’s clean and modern with a cozy dining area.
We enjoyed the chicken shawarma with tangy pickles and homemade hummus with pita bread and a tall glass of fresh pineapple juice to quench our thirst.
We also enjoyed the best hummus I’ve ever tasted.
The owner was a Syrian man, and he was happy to tell us the secret to his recipe. His mother taught him how to make it.
The recipe hasn’t changed since the 13th-century.
We’re so used to hummus with a strong garlic flavor. I was surprised to discover that traditional Syrian hummus has zero garlic.
Instead, this hummus has a light lemony taste which compliments the creamy chickpeas.
Dried chickpeas, soaked overnight, then drained and boiled until cooked.
Olive oil
Tahini — good quality
Lemon salt — homemade is best. Take fresh lemon zest and coarse sea salt and crush it in a mortar and pestle.
Try it for yourself. It’s a bit of work, but worth it.
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The good news
Malaysia allows Syrian refugees to move to their country, and they don’t mass deport them as they do with other refugees. There’s a strong social connection because the majority of people in both countries are Muslim.
Syrians pay taxes but don’t have status in other ways. They can’t have a bank account and their children can’t attend school.
Great food — Lousy political situation for the displaced Syrians.
Malaysia hosts a large number of refugees, many from Myanmar. There are also refugees from Pakistan, Yemen, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
The experiences of Syrian refugees in Malaysia can vary based on individual circumstances. Here are some areas where their refugee status may affect their daily lives.
Legal Status and Rights
Many refugees face challenges related to legal status. Refugees have limited legal protection and rights. This lack of legal status can make it difficult for refugees to access basic services and employment opportunities.
The Syrian man who provided us with this delicious recipe was unable to open a bank account, yet he had to pay taxes.
Living Conditions
Syrian refugees in Malaysia are often living in low-income neighborhoods. Housing conditions can vary, and some may struggle to find affordable and suitable accommodations.
Refugees often form communities and support networks among themselves. These networks can provide emotional support and help newcomers navigate life in a new country.
Education
Access to formal education is challenging for refugee children. They don’t have the documents required to enroll in Malaysian schools. Some organizations and NGOs work to provide informal education to refugee children.
Our Syrian friend told us that his daughter wasn’t able to go to school. That’s the main reason he’s trying to immigrate to Canada.
Employment
Lack of legal status often limits refugees’ access to formal employment. As a result, many refugees, including Syrians, might find informal or low-wage work to make ends meet.
Healthcare
Access to healthcare might be restricted for refugees. Often they rely on NGOs and charitable organizations for basic medical care.
Other Challenges
Syrian refugees, like others, may face discrimination, and language barriers in their host country.
The Syrian man we met told us that Muslims wouldn’t eat at his restaurant, because they didn’t trust him to provide a halal kitchen.
Paid subscribers can access the entire archive of my stories from the beginning, along with my poetry and every article I’ve ever written here. If you aren’t a paid subscriber, you can access the archive for free with a 7-day trial.
Some cool things I’m enjoying
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