In the early 20th century, many
Lebanese and
Syrian Christians settled around
Atlantic Avenue west of
Flatbush Avenue in
Boerum Hill; more recently, this area has evolved into a Yemeni commercial district.More recent, predominantly
Muslim Arab immigrants, especially
Egyptians and
Lebanese, have moved into the southwest portion of Brooklyn, particularly to
Bay Ridge, where many Middle Eastern restaurants, hookah lounges, halal grocers, Islamic shops and mosques line the commercial thoroughfares of Fifth and Third Avenues below 86th Street. Brighton Beach is home to a growing
Pakistani American community, while Midwood is home to
Little Pakistan along
Coney Island Avenue (recently co-named
Muhammad Ali Jinnah Way). Pakistani Independence Day is celebrated every year with parades and parties on Coney Island Avenue. Just to the north, Kensington is one of New York's several emerging
Bangladeshi enclaves.