We realise that our life here would rarely be complete without shawarma. But who honestly knew that shawarma is as popular in Russia as it is in this region? That became apparent last week when the authorities in Moscow announced a decision to ban shawarma kiosks in the city over hygiene code breaches.
The news sparked a vibrant online protest with the hashtag #Long Live Shawarma becoming a trending topic on Twitter. Calling the impending ban “shawarmageddon” or “shawarma-genocide!”, protesters compelled the authorities to back down.
This was one of the most dramatic food ban crises that Moscow has faced. Perhaps only a ban on KFC in the United States or takeaway curry in the UK would fuel a similar reaction.
There is one silver lining. In a world full of intractable conflicts, it is nice to see one resolved so swiftly and amicably.
