NEW YORK — Yala, a nonprofit halal restaurant operated by the Umma Foundation, has temporarily closed its Dongan Hills location.

Known for its mission-driven business model, the Umma Foundation reinvests all restaurant profits directly into global and local relief efforts, including food distribution programs, orphan sponsorships, and community hunger alleviation initiatives.

Yala specializes in halal American comfort food, offering a diverse menu that features chicken and lamb over rice platters, smashed burgers, gyros, chicken rolls, and pizza slices. Emphasizing quality, the kitchen prepares fresh ingredients daily, avoiding frozen or pre-packaged items, and serves its signature dishes alongside specialty sodas, milkshakes, and desserts such as crêpes.

Beyond its culinary offerings, the restaurant serves as a vital fundraising engine for humanitarian causes. According to Yala, customer purchases directly support bread distribution in Gaza, emergency food baskets in Yemen, orphan sponsorships in Sudan and Lebanon, and halal food pantry deliveries across New York City. Additionally, the organization actively distributes halal groceries and hot meals during seasonal campaigns, including Ramadan and winter relief drives.

The Umma Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Details regarding the expected reopening timeline for the Dongan Hills restaurant have not yet been announced.

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