His name is Massoud Mohamed Al Qattati ‘Abu Shady’, the owner of Gaza’s most famous sweets shop that sells Kunafa; martyred on Friday, November 3rd amid Israel’s bombardments of Gaza.
64-year-old Al Qattati, owner of a sweets shop located in the Zaytoun neighborhood in east Gaza, is known for his generosity, and admirability among the people of Gaza. His sweets shop welcomes everybody, those who can afford sweets and those who can’t. People knew him as ‘Abu Al Ghalaba’ which translates to ‘Father of the poor people’.
كان يوزع الطعام مجانا لفقراء غزة ولقبوه بــ "أبو الغلابة" والآن يودعهم.. استشهاد بائع الحلويات مسعود القططي صاحب شعار "خلي الفقير يأكل"#حرب_غزة pic.twitter.com/z2aclOjdrS
— قناة الجزيرة (@AJArabic) November 7, 2023
Due to the tough economic conditions in Gaza, Abu Al Ghalab saw something beyond money and profit, that was winning the loyalty and love of the people. Therefore his slogan: Let the Poor People Eat.
Abu Al Ghalaba’s sweets business has been standing for over 53 years. Back in 1971, it was a humble stall. The occupation pursued him since he was young by preventing him from working and burning his cart during the first intifada in 1987.
On Friday, the Gaza people have lost him forever. News about some of his sons and nephews are martyred as well. Palestinians who share literally and metaphorically sweet memories with Abu Sadly are sharing the news of his death on social media with deep sorrow
ربنا يرحمك يا أبو شادي https://t.co/Wsf4ZBbdIL pic.twitter.com/K9qZTsGbjU
— عزّت (@Al3zzat) November 4, 2023
“I used to buy kunafa from him during my teenage years. I saw him with my own eyes giving free kunafa to those who can’t afford it. My heart really broke when I heard the news of his death. May God bestow his blessings and mercy on his soul,” commented user Yousef B on an Instagram post announcing his death.
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