With 17 February signalling the end of the month of Shaban, the eighth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, so began the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims around the world, who fast from dawn to dusk until the Eid al-Fitr on 19 March, the official celebration of the conclusion of this year’s Ramadan.
Believed to be the month when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, Ramadan is a sacred time observed by daytime fasting between the meal just before dawn (known as the suhoor) and another directly after sunset (known as the iftar).
In addition to the five daily prayers, Muslims also recite a special prayer called the Tarawih prayer (night prayer) during Ramadan. In this month of fasting, worship, service, communal gathering, spiritual development, and redemption, Muslims practise self-discipline and gratitude and develop empathy and compassion for the less fortunate.
As one of our various attempts to enhance intercultural exchange and social inclusion, on 27 February, Adnan “Dani” Riaz, FSI’s Community Business Support Program Assistant, led a GuideFong Tour themed on the holy month for PayPal, our long-time corporate partner who generously sponsored our “Know Your GuideFong: TST” event in July 2025.
Organized with the support of PayPal’s Community Impact Grant, the immersive tour offered PayPal employees an opportunity to take a deep dive into Ramadan traditions within Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse communities while supporting local entrepreneurs in Sham Shui Po, one of the city’s most vibrant, culturally rich, and impoverished districts.
Facilitated by Dani’s introduction, participants connected with grassroots entrepreneurs from ethnically diverse backgrounds, many fasting while keeping their businesses open for fellow Muslims during Ramadan.
Through their engagement, PayPal employees gauged the entrepreneurs’ needs for payment solutions and successfully listed three businesses in the GuideFong Directory. In leveraging their respective expertise to provide pro bono support to under-resourced entrepreneurs on the spot, the PayPal team of professionals created a positive social impact by reinforcing community bonds and solidarity with the underrepresented individuals who play a vital role in the well-being of the Hong Kong economy and society – the practices and spirit honored by Muslims during the holy month.
Getting to Know Ethnically Diverse Entrepreneurs
Split into groups, PayPal employees were tasked with interviewing different ethnically diverse entrepreneurs who offer a sense of home and belonging to the community of migrant workers in Sham Shui Po.
They met Ko Apin, founder and owner of Restoran Indonesia Pondok Kita, who started the hut-like space for fellow Indonesians to gather and share classic dishes typically served at restaurants in Bali and Java. “It’s been just over a year, and we’re thrilled to be a hidden gem for both locals and visitors,” said Apin. “We stay true to authenticity, and dishes like satay, nasi kuning special, and sate sapi lontong are affordably priced must-tries. For us at Restoran Indonesia Pondok Kita, it’s about bridging cultures in Hong Kong’s multicultural identity.”
“The economic situation in Hong Kong may be challenging, but I still love Hong Kong as my home city, as I can still make a living here,” said Yunni, co-partner of Safiq Shinka Restaurant, which has acquired a presence in Sham Shui Po for 16 years, more than half the time that Yunni has been living and working in Hong Kong. “We get a mix of customers, including Pakistanis and local Chinese. We initially started as a grocery store and evolved into a restaurant specializing in Halal food.”
“It can be challenging for people from India or Pakistan to venture out and open shops here, as they may expose themselves unnecessarily,” said Zahid Aziz, owner of Local Dhaba, a Pakistani restaurant that takes inspiration from the Hindi word for “lunchbox” and the roadside restaurants dotting highways in India and Pakistan. “I love the close-knit community here and the connections between diverse people. After coming to Hong Kong from Dubai more than 10 years ago, I quit smoking, and I used that same determination to set up the business. By next month, the renovation on the ground floor should be completed. I put a lot of effort into running the business and making sure everything complies with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department’s regulations.”
Gauging Small Business Challenges and Witnessing Community Resilience
Wrapping up the conversations with ethnically diverse entrepreneurs, participants reconvened for a tour of the lively streets bustling with small family-run shops, South Asian grocery stores, and Halal restaurants staying open during Ramadan.
In the area with a high concentration of ethnically diverse entrepreneurs, participants saw cash-heavy operations, remittance needs, and digital adoption gaps. They also saw how the small businesses truly manifest the city’s multicultural identity and strengthen belonging and resilience, despite facing challenges in growth and expansion.
Concluding a Socially Impactful GuideFong Tour with Iftar
Slightly before sunset, Dani led tour participants back to Shafiq Shinka Restaurant for a guided iftar, the meal that breaks the fast after sunset during Ramadan.
Tucking into the communal meal with traditional Indonesian and Pakistani flavours, participants learned about the significance of iftar and the Ramadan tradition of sharing meals. PayPal employees also shared their experiences of the day, where they created a shared impact by strengthening rapport with under-resourced entrepreneurs and providing them with much-needed business support.
“The diversity and the superb dollar value of the services, commodities, and food provided by the community are truly fascinating,” said Bill Lau, Technical Account Manager at PayPal Hong Kong. “It’s eye-opening to venture deep into the neighborhood to meet the diverse ethnic groups in Hong Kong. It’s also touching to hear personal stories told by the business owners.”
“Really appreciate the event for also hosting my daughter,” said Serena Leung, a PayPal employee. “After the tour, she shared how much she enjoyed the trip, seeing diversity around her school district and understanding different cultures. She also spoke about the experience with our family members, transferring what she saw to how Hong Kong needs these small businesses.”
“One of my most memorable takeaways from the tour was learning about the Pakistani community in Hong Kong, and how their strong sense of togetherness drives both business and personal growth,” said one participant. “It was inspiring to see how they actively support one another—sharing resources, offering mentorship, and creating opportunities that help the whole community thrive. Their culture of mutual respect and collaboration truly highlights the power of community in building sustainable success.”
Added another participant: “It is an experience you would not get unless you take part in the GuideFong Tour. As Adnan brought us to visit different business stores with different cultural backgrounds, I got exposed to how the local community actually looks, which turned my unnecessary virtual fear into an actual supporting spirit.”
Work with Us to Build an Inclusive Community
We would like to thank PayPal for trusting us with the design and implementation of socially impactful opportunities to engage their employees. Our heartfelt gratitude also goes to the Impact Lab interns working with FSI’s Community Business Support team to provide support during the tour. Lastly, the GuideFong Tour would not have been meaningful and socially impactful without the participation of the ethnically diverse entrepreneurs behind Restoran Indonesia Pondok Kita, Safiq Shinka Restaurant, Local Dhaba, Cemilan Khas Indonesia, and AK Barbers Hair Salon Ltd.
If you are interested in participating in our mutually beneficial corporate engagement activities, whether to kick-start your personal social impact journey, engage and develop your talents, or achieve your corporate ESG and CSR goals, get in touch with us at cbs@shared-impact.com to learn more!
