Farewell to a Heritage Icon: Haji Ghulam Hussain Khalil, Heart of Old Manama

Over seven decades of authentic hospitality, keeping the spirit of Manama alive

The Bahraini community is mourning the loss of Hajji Ghulam Hussain Khalil, the visionary founder of Haji Café, who passed away this Saturday morning. Since he first began his journey in the early 1950s, the late Khalil transformed a modest shop into one of the Kingdom’s most significant cultural landmarks. Established in its current form in 1970, Haji Café has stood for over seven decades as a symbol of "Zaman Al-Tayyibin," preserving the simplicity and heart of old Manama.

The café operates on a sacred philosophy handed down by the founder: sustenance is a blessing to be honored, not hoarded. This ensures all meals including their famous traditional cream are prepared fresh daily in alignment with the call to prayer. "Take your daily sustenance, but do not take more than you need," his son Zuhair explained, reflecting the founder's belief in authenticity over excess.

Today, Haji Café has become a global destination. As his son Zuhair beautifully noted, the café is a "home for everyone." It is a unique social hub where local craftsmen, families, and tourists from all over the world share tables side-by-side. In an era of modern malls, this landmark remains a living testament to Bahrain’s heritage a place where past and present meet through the hospitality of the Haji family. The late founder leaves behind a rich legacy carried on by his three sons, Zuhair, Ahmed, and Adel, and his three daughters, ensuring that the spirit of Manama continues to welcome the world.