Skateboarding is good and should be accessible to everyone. Some of our neighbours have a much harder time getting gear than we do, so when we can help, we do. Here's what the UAE scene has done so far.
Beirut, 2005
During Ramadan 2005, a crew of us went on a skate trip to Beirut: me, Evan Collisson, Steve Nesser, Danny Montoya and Kenny Reed. That's where I first met the members of what's now the Lebanese Skateboarding Association (LSA), a skater-run NGO launched in 2011. They welcomed us into their city like family. I never forgot that.
Watch "Beirut Trip 05'" on YouTube
Lebanon, 2022
In 2022 it was our turn to give back. Thanks to everyone who donated their used gear, we sent the LSA over 16 boards, 10+ sets of wheels, bearings and shoes.
Lebanon again, 2025
Getting shipments into Lebanon has not been easy, and there are hardly any skate shops there. In January 2025, our friends at Krema Supply got a new batch of boards donated by Habibi and Saturday Warehouse through to skaters in Lebanon. Big thanks to Krema and the homies on the ground who made it happen.
Watch the delivery on Instagram
Lahore, 2023
In February 2023, skaters in Lahore broke ground on the first skatepark in Pakistan, built by Salad Days of Skateboarding, Wonders Around the World and Skate Pakistan. To help, @ebansan and Friday Friday put on an exhibition at Analog The Room in Dubai, with photo prints by @nestorjudkins and @hollazack, a premiere of their short film First Push about the Lahore scene, live screen-printing and a DJ. We brought the boards, along with Casino Hardware. Prints and unreleased Habibi decks were sold to support the build.
It always blows my mind what this community does when it shows up.
Donate your old gear
Got a deck, wheels, trucks or shoes you don't use anymore? New or used, it can keep someone skating. Drop it at the shop inside Gooder, Alserkal Avenue, or email hello@habibiskateshop.com.
