Praise for Hygge cafe’s response to anti-hijab Google review

Credit: Hygge

A Danish cafe has been praised for defending a Muslim female member of staff after an anti-Islamic comment was left on Google.

The owner of Sheffield’s Hygge, Alex Moore, responded to a disparaging review which claimed: “I was served bu a person wearing moslem dress [sic].”

Mr Moore began by informing the alleged customer, George Cross, who also left a 1-star rating: “I believe you’re referring to the ‘hijab’, worn by ‘Muslim’ females. Don’t worry – we don’t charge for offering basic information to ignorant people.”

A screenshot of the reply, which was shared on the restaurant’s Instagram page, has already garnered over 10k likes and over 800 comments – the vast majority of which have been supportive.

Please rest assured that we will be doing everything we can to reassure ALL of our employees that their individuality, their religion, their race, gender, and personality… – Alex Moore, Hygge owner

Mr Moore continued: “It’s very understandable that this item of clothing managed to ruin your experience of the venue, it must be so hard to go about your day when you could be unreasonably confronted by a burka, a crucifix necklace or a kippah at any minute! You’ll have to forgive us, as we had very carelessly been focusing our attention to the customer service, and the quality of our food and drinks, instead of our employees religions or choice of clothing. How clumsy.”

Having opened in 2019, Hygge, which is the Danish word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality, is located on Fitzalan Square just across from Sheffield Institute of Arts and a minute’s walk from Ponds Forge.

Mr Moore continued educating the Islamophobe: “Please rest assured that we will be doing everything we can to reassure ALL of our employees that their individuality, their religion, their race, gender, and personality – are what makes them perfect HYGGE is a family run business, and our mantra is to be inclusive, to be friendly, and to spread love – not hate.

“Your opinion has no place in this world, and I hope you learn to love a little more. If you do find yourself visiting HYGGE again, please ask for me by name as I’d be happy to tell you in person that you will never be welcome at our business, until you change your outrageous and despicable attitude.”

While the cafe is not known for serving Halal, it does serve a wide range of coffees, sandwiches and cakes that are said to be “made fresh daily”.