For 30 years, Abdul Rashid has been serving marzipan and kuswar-inspired sweets; uniting faith and generations through flavour and traditions
Customers line up for plum cake and sweets at Rashid’s stall. PicS/Shadab Khan
For nearly three decades, as festive lights twinkle and carols fill the air in Bandra, one small sweet stall quietly tells a larger story of coexistence, enterprise, and changing times. At its centre is Abdul Rashid, a Muslim man who has been selling traditional Christmas sweets in the suburb for almost 30 years, challenging stereotypes and proving that business has no religion.
Abdul Rashid. Pic/ Ritika Gondhalekar
Every December, Rashid’s modest setup becomes a hub of activity, with customers lining up for freshly prepared treats such as marzipan, kuswar-inspired delights, and assorted plum sweets. For many regulars, his stall is as much a part of their Christmas tradition as decorating the tree or attending midnight mass. “Business has no religion. If you want to survive today, you must be practical,” says Rashid. “Helping people with food they enjoy — what greater dharma is there?”
For many regulars, Rashid’s stall is as much a part of their Christmas tradition
Rashid began in the early 1990s, spotting a demand for Christmas sweets in Bandra. The first year, he invested Rs 10,000 and lost Rs 25,000. His family urged him to stick to his main food stall. But loyal customers returned the next year, helping him make a small profit. Today, he employs four Muslim women, providing seasonal work and valuable skills.
Interestingly, Rashid’s recipes came not from family but from Christian neighbours and later, YouTube. “Initially, I learned from Jane Aunty and Maria Aunty. They would teach me as well as suggest ways to make the items better and attractive in terms of looks so that they catch the attention of potential customers. They stressed using quality and organic colours. “As time passed, the aunties grew older, while access to technology simultaneously became easier. Later, the internet helped me experiment and refine recipes,” he says.
For many regulars, Rashid’s stall is as much a part of their Christmas tradition
Customers see the stall as a symbol of Bandra’s inclusive spirit. “Festivals are celebrated together here. We have always liked Rashid uncle’s sweets since we were kids. Today, I have my own kids, and even they enjoy these sweets,” says Carol D’Costa, a customer for more than a decade.
“It never mattered to us what religion Abdul follows. What matters is the authentic taste which he gives through his products, the quality and the value for money,” said Mihika Rodrigues, another customer. Rashid’s three-decade journey shows how faith, hard work, and goodwill can transcend boundaries. Mixing sugar, flour, and honesty, he has built more than a business — he has built bridges.
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