Half a century of sweetness: How a 74-year-old kunafa maker helped shape Abu Dhabi’s story

Abu Dhabi, a city that has transformed over the past five decades, has maintained its affection for one particular dessert: kunafa. Naeem Mohammad Youssef Shneik, a 74-year-old Jordanian, has been making this sweet treat using the same recipe since he was sixteen years old. He opened Naeem Sweets in 1974, introducing his family's kunafa-making techniques to Abu Dhabi.

Despite the city's drastic changes, Naeem's passion for kunafa has remained steadfast. Over his 50-year tenure, he has remained the constant face behind his shop's counter, earning the trust and loyalty of the community. Even when he closed the shop for 24 years, Naeem continued to make kunafa for his relatives at home, ensuring the tradition never died.

Recently, he reopened Naeem Sweets at Marsa Mina, greeted by a long line of eager customers. Naeem insists that the secret to his success lies in the quality of ingredients, sourced from Denmark and the Balkans. At 74, Naeem still walks the shop floor every afternoon, determined to keep his craft alive.