For their part, owners of cafes that serve the special tobacco blend used in water pipes say these cafes are a tradition that is perfectly acceptable in society.  “Most of our customers come to us to enjoy an ambience of innocent entertainment, especially during football matches that they watch live on our big screens,” said Hamdan, a local sheesha cafe owner who only wanted his first name used. “There is nothing illegal or haram (forbidden) with this.”

Hamdan said people go the popular coffee shops to have tea or coffee, smoke sheesha and watch TV. During popular sporting events — such as the recent Africa Cup of Nations final — Hamdan can serve as many as 300 customers. Sheeha cafes often stay open later than regular and chain coffee shops.

Hamdan said most of those working in the popular coffee shops are Yemenis. He says he prefers hiring Arab employees because they share similar traditions, including sheesha.