Kamal Gasm Elseed Magbool
Restaurant Owner, 2018
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in International Business
“Limkokwing is not just for academics but teaches communication between cultures."
06 March 2018
Limkokwing is the Inspiration Behind Malaysia’s First Sudanese Restaurant
AlMohtaram House in Cyberjaya is Malaysia’s very first Sudanese restaurant, set up in 2016 by the Magbool brothers, both proud Limkokwing alumni.
Owner and operator Kamal Gasm Elseed Magbool says in setting up AlMohtaram, he drew inspiration from Limkokwing’s acceptance and celebration of cultural diversity.
Kamal graduated in 2013 from Limkokwing University with a degree in International Business.
He established AlMohtaram together with his brother Ahmad.
Kamal said he was compelled to share his Sudanese culture in some way after being immersed in Limkokwing’s multicultural setting for three years in pursuit of his Bachelor’s degree.
“I started this business in 2016 to show my culture. This idea came from Limkokwing, actually.”
“Because I saw the many different cultures from different countries here in the University,” he said.
Kamal said it was Limkokwing’s 2013 ‘Cultural Night’ that sparked the idea of setting up a Sudanese restaurant, open to people from all over the world.
“Most of our customers come to our restaurant and ask about our traditional decoration and setting, learning more about Sudan along the way.
“Here in Cyberjaya, we have so many different cultures, so many people coming from different countries to study in Limkokwing – more than 200, I guess.
“We saw this in the cultural night event, so I made the decision to make business for me and for them - to show them about my culture,” he said.
Limkokwing University - More Than Pure Academics
The time spent in Limkokwing meant a great deal to Kamal, as he was continuously learning – in and out of the classroom.
“Limkokwing is not just for academics but teaches communication between cultures.
“It is the best University because it is easy to learn here and get more experience, and communicate with people from different countries,” said Kamal.
He further said that Limkokwing’s cultural night is his favourite time of the year, but that “one time in the year is not enough.”
Future Plans
Both Kamal and Ahmad have big dreams for Almohtaram house, with the hope of expanding worldwide.
“We have a big dream - maybe we can have an Almohtaram restaurant for every Limkokwing branch,” he said with a cheeky laugh.
The intention for the Magbool brothers has always been, since the planning stages of the business, to introduce Sudanese cuisine to the world; as it’s often mistaken for Arab cuisine.
“Our food is a little bit different, even for Arab food, because we are a mix between Arab and African.
“Most people think we (Sudan) come from Arab stock, so that is why we opened this restaurant to show that we have our own Sudanese culture,” he elaborated.
As a word of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Kamal said it would be a wise first step to learn from the best – Limkokwing.
“Any businessman must learn from Limkokwing first – the University and the person. Tan Sri Limkokwing is a creative man and he taught us a lot,” said Kamal.
He also thanked the Sudan embassy for all their support, even going as far as bringing those visiting from Sudan to their restaurant, as well as introducing Malaysian diplomats.
“I would like to invite everyone to come and taste our Sudanese food and see our restaurant. I am sure they will be happy,” he said.
