After 5 years, I know exactly who needs what and what they like.

My name is Muhibullah. I’m from Afghanistan and I’ve been living in the UK for the past 42 years. It was a very difficult journey for me. 

I used to be at the university in my first year. Unfortunately the Russians invaded Afghanistan and we had no choice. I started fighting against the Russian occupation. For three years, I was fighting. After that, the organization which I used to work with, decided to send me to London to work with them. In the London office, I used to look after people who arrived injured - interpreting, cooking, cleaning, washing them, taking them to the hospital, until they recovered, and send them back home. After that experience, I got a parttime job to support my family back home and myself here. I used to work in the Central Mosque and for Islamia Primary School – the school was founded in 1983 by Yusuf Islam, the singer/songwriter who was known as Cat Stevens until his conversion to Islam in 1978. After that, I worked for London Transport and the BBC. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my cup of tea because I was forced to say something which I would disagree with 100% and I left the job after 3-4 days.

After that, I went to the Saudi Arabian embassy. I worked for 21 years there. I worked with another Prince who was one of the diplomats who used to be with us at the embassy and who introduced me to his brother-in-law. I worked with him for three years. However, after severe neck pain I couldn’t continue to work. And I just set up in this place. I work six days per week and on Sundays, I go shopping for the shop.

These perfumes are extremely popular among different people and the prices are very reasonable. There are scented oils, jasmine and fruity ones. For example, this is the rose one, this is the red rose one, this is the jasmine one.

When the African people come, I show them one type of perfume. When the English people come or the European people come, I show them a different type of perfume. After 5 years, I know exactly who needs what and what they like. The Kilburn I used to know is when the Irish generation was here. Kilburn Market was buzzing with customers. But nowadays, to be honest with you, we hardly see, you know, those people.

My shop is open to all - some people from outside of London can’t reach home, and they ask me if they can pray in my shop. I say, Welcome! One day a baby was crying outside, and the mum wanted to breastfeed the baby. There was no place. I brought her to my shop, took out a chair, and I went out while she was breastfeeding in the shop. It’s not only for the prayers. I don’t care about their nationality or their religion. It’s just humanity.