For the first time in Saudi Arabia, a deaf-friendly restaurant has been inaugurated in Al Qatif, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
The innovative idea was brought to light two years ago, when a Saudi deaf couple decided to open a restaurant that serves deaf people in the Kingdom, according to Al Ekhbariya TV.
Creative Idea
Hussein and Arina, who obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the US, made their decision to open this restaurant to deliver a message to deaf people on the importance of social integration.
The restaurant is entirely managed by a deaf staff. It offers its services exclusively in sign language, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Moreover, the restaurant uses technology to serve its customers. All they need to do is to place their order on a device. Staff members receive customers with boards and devices that display sign language.
Expressing Gratitude
Hussein and Arina, the restaurant’s owners, expressed their joy and gratitude for his family’s support. Hussein added: “The biggest support came from the huge turnout of deaf people to the restaurant’s opening.”
In the opening ceremony, deaf customers expressed their support for the creative idea, wishing Hussein and Arina more success.
لأول مرة في المملكة…
زوجين من فئة الصم حاصلين على الماجستير في إدارة الأعمال من الولايات المتحدة قررا افتتاح مطعم إيطالي في القطيف يعمل بلغة الإشارة فقط، يتم توظيف العاملين والطاقم من الصم فقط.pic.twitter.com/u4VJ1mgtTz
— إياد الحمود (@Eyaaaad) September 11, 2024
Celebrating the restaurant’s opening, Hussein thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, for their unwavering support. He also thanked the Saudi Social Development Bank for its support.
Social Media Effect
The new restaurant has gained popularity after the Saudi social media influencer, Eyad Al-Hamoud, shared the video on his X account.
More than 5 million people follow Al-Hamoud on social media. He shares unique news and video footages, as well as international studies, which may not receive wide media coverage.
Al-Hamoud holds a BA in Translation from King Faisal University. He worked in the communications and information technology sector for over ten years. In 2017, he published his book “Asaleej.”
