In the small town of North Olmsted, a growing Arab community is making its mark with over a dozen Arab-owned businesses lining the same stretch of road. Among them is Fire and Dough, owned and operated by Nizam Suliman. As the owner and chef, Suliman takes great pride in serving fresh halal meat that is prepared daily using his own recipes and spices.
Originally from the Middle East, Suliman has been cooking since he was just 13 years old. In 2013, he arrived in Cleveland and was able to realize his dream of starting his own business on October 10, 2023. However, just months after opening, the Israel-Hamas war erupted, casting a shadow over his grand opening plans.
Despite the challenges posed by the war, Suliman remains grateful to the North Olmsted community for their support. The war has had a direct impact on his business, with many Palestinians in the area mourning the loss of loved ones and feeling a sense of unease about gathering in public places. Despite these challenges, Suliman remains hopeful that peace will prevail not only in his home country but also in the world at large.
Suliman encourages his workers to remain positive and believes that better days are ahead. His hope is that one day, peace will reign supreme, and everyone will be able to come together in harmony.
