ABU DHABI // Illegal street food vendors are in a game of cat-and-mouse with police who chase them from a stretch of road in Al Mushrif, only for the traders to return to their patch.
Many of the stalls, set up in front of St Joseph’s Cathedral Church and close to mosques, do a roaring trade selling barbecued snacks and meats, including pork, to mostly Filipino customers.
However popular the peddlers might be, the congregation at St Joseph’s is not happy with their presence and have questioned the safety of food sold on makeshift outdoor grills.
“I never bought from there and urge people not to as we are not sure about the hygiene and quality of food or the preparation,” said Dodi Concepcion.
“They cook in their rooms and bring it here to sell under Sun, it is truly questionable,” said the Filipino.
Officials from the church said they were powerless to stop the stallholders and were worried about the health of parishioners who might be tempted by cheap street food.
“Selling food items in the open is not allowed, so it should be stopped. Of course, it’s unhygienic to sell in the open air and it’s a major health concern,” said Father Johnson Joseph, priest at St Joseph’s.
“One of our committee members complained about it to the local authorities and we were assured that the matter would be looked into.”
About a month ago, police cleared the area of hawkers but they quickly returned, said Fr Joseph. While some members of the congregation eat pork and have no issue with the vendors, the sale of meat so close to mosques was disrespectful.
“Filipinos like pork and they sell it there. Though, they shouldn’t do this,” said Himaya Fernando, from Sri Lanka. “The quality of food is not good and I have never bought anything from them.” However, Michele Biallaube, from the Philippines, disagreed and is a regular customer at the stalls.
“Food is good there,” she said, adding that she believed it was freshly cooked. “It’s cheaper than cafes and suits our taste.”
The popularity of the street vendors, and the influx of people attending church and mosques in the area, has also attracted unlicensed taxi and bus drivers, who as well parking illegally, harass passers-by looking for fares.
“We have also complained to the police, but once they come the buses move out but again they come back,” Fr Joseph said.
Abu Dhabi Police did not respond to a request for comment.
anwar@thenational.ae
