Foreign volunteer Habib: It was a wise decision to come to Shanghai

In 2006, Habib’s father officially brought his carpet business to China and the store is located in Shanghai’s Hongqiao Pearl Market.

In 2009, Habib came to China and studied at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. That summer, he stepped on China’s land for the first time with that old saying in mind. He was excited about reaching China, this faraway country.

He chose to stay in Shanghai after graduation and run the carpet store along with his father and brother.

Nine years is not a long time in the history of a country but has been plenty for Habib to witness the changes that have happened in Chinese society: numerous metro lines, an architectural futurescape, and so on. But what has struck Habib more has been the changes in Chinese people’s mindsets.

Shanghai’s city spirit - inclusiveness, diversity, modesty and the pursuit of excellence - has been recognized by the world. For Habib, every single citizen represents the city. “Shanghai is a land of inclusiveness, assimilating foreign cultures’ advantages and also valuing the protection and growth of its own tradition.”

Handmade carpets are viewed as a form of art in many countries and, together with the skilled manpower required to make one, therefore command a high value while displaying distinctive marks of culture. Habib, whose family has a tradition of making carpets, knows very well that this artwork’s market requires more than great buying power and a strong economy but also an open mind.

“Shanghai possesses such conditions and market,” says Habib. Till now his family store in Shanghai is the most successful one and they are constantly kept busy. “Viewed from any aspect, our store in Shanghai is the most successful one.”

(Habib (right) on patrol with community police)