Anaheim, California's Little Arabia - in pictures

  • Forty years after opening, Al Tayebat Market is expanding, has been remodelled, and is still considered to be the heart of Little Arabia in Anaheim, California. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Forty years after opening, Al Tayebat Market is expanding, has been remodelled, and is still considered to be the heart of Little Arabia in Anaheim, California. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Hijabi Queens is a series of NFT murals by Karter Zaher and Doaa Alhawamdeh. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Hijabi Queens is a series of NFT murals by Karter Zaher and Doaa Alhawamdeh. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Mohammad "Mo" Alam, a Lebanese immigrant, opened a bakery in 1998 that expanded and became the Forn Al Hara restaurant in 2005. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Mohammad "Mo" Alam, a Lebanese immigrant, opened a bakery in 1998 that expanded and became the Forn Al Hara restaurant in 2005. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Nader Hamda, who manages Forn Al Hara, said that before moving to California from Boston he was feeling isolated, given the city’s relatively small Arab population. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Nader Hamda, who manages Forn Al Hara, said that before moving to California from Boston he was feeling isolated, given the city’s relatively small Arab population. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Forn Al Hara's bakery also serves fatayer, triangular hand pies stuffed with spinach, cheese or spicy sujuk sausage. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Forn Al Hara's bakery also serves fatayer, triangular hand pies stuffed with spinach, cheese or spicy sujuk sausage. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Flatbread with sujuk and cheese from Forn Al Hara. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Flatbread with sujuk and cheese from Forn Al Hara. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Forn Al Hara serves maamoul, traditional cookies filled with pureed dates, chopped walnuts or pistachios. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Forn Al Hara serves maamoul, traditional cookies filled with pureed dates, chopped walnuts or pistachios. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Fatayer bakes in the oven at Forn Al Hayer. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Fatayer bakes in the oven at Forn Al Hayer. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Save room for dessert! Fig cookies from Little Arabia's Forn Al Hara. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Save room for dessert! Fig cookies from Little Arabia's Forn Al Hara. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • House of Mandi's general manager Omar Alsameeai, a Yemeni who moved to the US three years ago. Photo: Steve LaBate
    House of Mandi's general manager Omar Alsameeai, a Yemeni who moved to the US three years ago. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • The lamb galaba from House of Mandi. Photo: Steve LaBate
    The lamb galaba from House of Mandi. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Staff at the House of Mandi want diners to experience Yemeni culture at its finest. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Staff at the House of Mandi want diners to experience Yemeni culture at its finest. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Diners at the House of Mandi at traditional floor seating. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Diners at the House of Mandi at traditional floor seating. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Owned by Palestinian-American Salah Othman, and managed by his daughter Samantha, Sababa Falafel Shop used to be a Subway. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Owned by Palestinian-American Salah Othman, and managed by his daughter Samantha, Sababa Falafel Shop used to be a Subway. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • A custom-made falafel pita from Sababa. Photo: Steve LaBate
    A custom-made falafel pita from Sababa. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • The pitas at Sababa are works of art — custom built, gorgeously arranged and undeniably photogenic. Photo: Steve LaBate
    The pitas at Sababa are works of art — custom built, gorgeously arranged and undeniably photogenic. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Sababa manager Samantha, whose entrepreneur father owns the business in Anaheim's Little Arabia. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Sababa manager Samantha, whose entrepreneur father owns the business in Anaheim's Little Arabia. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Sababa opened during the Covid-19 lockdown but managed to thrive. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Sababa opened during the Covid-19 lockdown but managed to thrive. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • At Knafeh Cafe the original Knafeh recipe has been passed down for generations. Photo: Steve LaBate
    At Knafeh Cafe the original Knafeh recipe has been passed down for generations. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • The Little Arabia shopping plaza sits in the shadows of Anaheim's Disneyland. Photo: Steve LaBate
    The Little Arabia shopping plaza sits in the shadows of Anaheim's Disneyland. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Al Anwar specialises in Islamic fashion including hijabs, jilbabs, abayas and other modest clothing. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Al Anwar specialises in Islamic fashion including hijabs, jilbabs, abayas and other modest clothing. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Prayer beads hang at Al Anwar Islamic Fashion shop. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Prayer beads hang at Al Anwar Islamic Fashion shop. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Headscarves and prayer rugs for sale at Al Anwar Islamic Fashions. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Headscarves and prayer rugs for sale at Al Anwar Islamic Fashions. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Anaheim's Little Arabia. Photo: Steve LaBate
    Anaheim's Little Arabia. Photo: Steve LaBate
  • Rashad Al Dabbagh led the charge to have Little Arabia be given an official civic designation. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
    Rashad Al Dabbagh led the charge to have Little Arabia be given an official civic designation. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
  • Little Arabia Restaurant is known for its Ramadan buffet. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
    Little Arabia Restaurant is known for its Ramadan buffet. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
  • Halawet el jibn is served at Le Mirage Bakery in Little Arabia. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
    Halawet el jibn is served at Le Mirage Bakery in Little Arabia. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
  • Sweets from Le Mirage Bakery in Little Arabia. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
    Sweets from Le Mirage Bakery in Little Arabia. Photo: Arab American Civic Council