A phrase that started as a basketball trick has translated into a social media empire and a restaurant for two Fairfax County natives.
Halal Wrist began as a clever maneuver of the hand that enabled Soufiane Bernoukh to make a perfect basketball shot. The trick shot was caught on video and soon went viral on TikTok and was coined “Halal Wrist.” Halal is an Islamic term that denotes permissibility.
A resident of the county’s Alexandria area, Bernoukh always dreamed of playing basketball in the NBA, and he played college ball at Ferrum College. His shot caught the eyes of major brands like the NBA, Foot Locker, Nike, and Reebok.
@soufs_videos Comment or Tag your TOP 5 Most Clutch NBA Players of all time‼️ @halal_wrist #fyp #for #halalwrist #basketball #clutch #nba
“It’s kind of always been the story of my life. I feel like I’ve always been the underdog, but I always use it as a positive thing because it pushed me to get to where I am today,” said Bernoukh, who aspires to become an actor and comedian.
In an unpredictable step, Bernoukh and Ayman Beshir, who used to play basketball together at recreation centers in the county, teamed up with a college friend to bring Halal Wrist into a different public space: a restaurant.
Halal Wrist, which offers bowls, wraps, wings, gyro and other items, opened at 3019 Georgia Avenue NW in D.C. in February.
“The restaurant is something we always talked about,” Bernoukh told FFXnow. “Having the name ‘Halal Wrist’ started off as a basketball brand but we always thought it would be really dope to have a halal restaurant one day, halal being the food and the wrist being a metaphor to cooking. It honestly happened way faster than we expected and we’re extremely blessed to be able to see it all come into fruition.”
The restaurant business is new to both men as well as a college friend who manages e-commerce for the brand.
Beshir wears “so many hats,” including Bernoukh’s manager and videographer, he says.
The friends hope to launch other locations once they establish their flagship site.
“We’re constantly thinking of ways to expand the brand and we’re really excited to announce a few other business ventures we plan on launching soon,” Beshir said.
Recent Stories
Good Friday evening! Today we published 5 articles that were read a total of 4221 times on FFXnow alone, so far. 📈 Top stories The following are the most-read articles…
(Updated at 2:20 p.m. on 6/4/2023) Pickleball players at McLean’s Lewinsville Park will soon no longer have to contend with wind gusts. The Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a…
Fairfax County Public Library is kicking off its summer reading program with a different approach this year. The Fairfax Library Foundation will launch its inaugural Children’s Summer Reading Festival at…
The Montessori School of McLean is on track to celebrate its 50th anniversary on the same site where it has spent the past half-century. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors…
The Dragons Concord is now open at 11215L Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030! After some delays with construction, we’ve finally opened our doors and are accepting tabletop gamers of all types to come down and enjoy our tailored gaming space.
We have 7 tables exclusively dedicated to TTRPG and Miniature wargaming, including 3 custom gaming tables in their own private, themed gaming rooms. This isn’t the normal game store and while we do have a selection of harder to find retail in the back, our focus is on providing play space and gaming services such as an active roster of storytellers with regular scheduled games you can book through our website or Meetup (www.meetup.com/dragons-concord-gaming).
If you’ve been wanting to get into tabletop or miniature gaming, but haven’t because you couldn’t find a group or a comfortable place to play, come down and check us out!
Are you seeking a confidential space where you can explore your emotions, overcome challenges, and find inner peace? Look no further than our dedicated psychotherapy service! We understand that life can be overwhelming at times, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
At Peaceful Mind Solutions, our passion lies in helping individuals like you navigate life’s complexities and find the strength to thrive. Our skilled and compassionate therapist is committed to creating a warm, non-judgmental environment where you can express your thoughts and feelings openly. With our personalized approach, we tailor each session to address your unique needs and empower you to overcome obstacles.
Through evidence-based techniques and a deep understanding of the human mind, our therapist will guide you on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or simply seeking personal growth, we’re here to provide guidance and practical tools for lasting change.
Unveiling of West Ford historical highway marker
Gum Springs will be celebrating 190 years of its founding by freedman West Ford on Saturday, June 17, 2023. To kick-off the celebration, there will be an unveiling of a Virginia historical highway marker for West Ford on Fordson Road
Charity Live Music Concert
Ukrainian Charity fundraiser concert at South County High School on June 13, 2023.
All proceeds will go toward Ukrainian funds “Mriya Charity” and “Dai Lapu Drug”, that help kids and animals affected by war.
The concert will include performances by
