Muslim couple open rural Japan home to build community
MATSUE (Kyodo) -- Dressed in kimono, a Moroccan Muslim and his Japanese wife whisk matcha tea and welcome visitors to their more than 100-year-old far
MATSUE, Japan (Kyodo) -- A Moroccan Muslim man and his Japanese wife have transformed a century-old farmhouse into a welcoming community hub in rural Japan. Fatih Ymran, an IT engineer, and Nanami, a former civil servant who converted to Islam, opened the home in the Hakuta district of Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture. The couple, who met in 2016, moved to Yasugi after falling in love with its natural surroundings. They welcomed their first child, Sami, in 2023.
Visitors to the farmhouse enjoy traditional Japanese matcha tea and seasonal treats prepared by the family. Local resident Sachiko Omichi praised the couple's efforts, saying the home offers a place where strangers can easily start a conversation. The couple has hosted foreign residents from countries like Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, who have enjoyed living with the family.
Nanami, who attributes her conversion to Islam to the practice of mindful eating during Ramadan, said the rural community has embraced them without discrimination. She emphasized that multicultural coexistence in her community means respecting each other without needing to discuss diversity.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
