A man who fled war-torn Syria set up his own catering business and is raising money to help out after the earthquake in Syria and Turkey.
Mahmod Al-Mostafa, 60, left Syria in 2013 and arrived in the UK in 2013, living for a while in Sheffield before moving to Liverpool in 2014. He left Syria as he was opposed to "going to war against his own people", as he was in the army, claimed asylum in the UK and was granted refugee status in 2016.
Mahmod started his catering business, Castle Falafel in 2020 but was delayed in running it until July 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. From the van he operates outside the Al-Rahma Mosque in Toxteth, on February 10, all sales will be sent to help provide urgent supplies to those who have lost their homes, family, friends and livelihoods as the death toll continues to rise above 30,000
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Mahmod told the ECHO: "I was on the phone with one of my friends (Basel in Aleppo) as it happened and because of his reaction and screams, I thought doomsday happened and then we lost the signal for a while. He called back and we were in shock, panic and fear. He said I can't talk anymore and I might not talk to you again.
"It was the most dreadful moment that happened to me as I was hearing buildings demolished and the screams of women, kids and men. Until this moment I can't believe what is happening to the world".
Mahmod is in regular contact with family, Basel, who is safe and other friends in Syria. However, another of his friends, from Aleppo, Ahmed Al Thateeb was killed along with his wife and 11 family members while in Turkey. A son survived who was not in the building at the time it collapsed. Mahmod’s son Obaida said: “It's not easy for my father to speak about it, he is in pain”.
With Fridays being the main prayer day at the Mosque he took the opportunity to make the most of this and raise as much money as possible. He’s currently trying to get permission to work near town or in any of the city's parks.
Mahmood added: "People are in huge need. I contacted some of my friends and the amount of people who are seeking help is more than you can imagine. As much as we can make, it's not going to cover everyone”.
He added: "The situation is catastrophic. They have nothing other than air to breathe, the rest of basic life needs are missing”.
From his van his main dish is falafel, deep-fried balls usually made from a mixture of spices and ground chickpeas, though some variants contain broad beans or fava beans. He sells burgers, fries and many Syrian and regional delicacies and sweets.
He has a regular spot near the Al-Rahma Mosque on Mulgrave Street each Friday and Granby Street Market on the first Saturday of each month. You can follow Mahmod at Castle Falafel on Facebook HERE.
To donate toward the earthquake appeal visit the UNICEF TÜRKİYE AND SYRIA EARTHQUAKES APPEAL HERE.
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