05/24/2026
Cemal Doğan Laid to Rest in New Jersey Following Funeral Ceremony
Cemal Doğan, founder of the long-established Ali Baba Restaurant in New York, was laid to rest in Paramus, New Jersey, following a funeral ceremony held at the New Jersey Pir Sultan Abdal Cemevi.
The funeral was attended by numerous members of the Turkish-American community, including Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ahmet Yıldız, and Consul General Ahmet M. Yazal, along with many prominent figures from the Turkish-American community.
Speaking during the ceremony, his son, Ali Rıza Doğan, described his father as much more than a parent. He said that Cemal Doğan had been his friend, business partner, mentor, and lifelong companion. Reflecting on the many years they spent operating the family restaurant together, Ali Rıza Doğan noted that the restaurant’s name, Ali Baba, was inspired by his father. He emphasized that the greatest legacy his father left behind was his unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity, and righteousness.
The ceremony reflected both Alevi and Islamic funeral traditions. An Alevi spiritual leader recited traditional prayers and sacred hymns, while Imam Ahmet Dönmez led prayers and the funeral service before the casket was escorted from the cemevi. During the ceremony, Doğan’s grandchildren also read English translations of the prayers for members of the community in attendance.
Following the service, Cemal Doğan was laid to rest at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, where his wife is also buried.
For decades, Cemal Doğan was a respected figure within the Turkish-American community and was widely known through his pioneering role in the restaurant industry. His passing marks the end of an era for many who knew him as a dedicated entrepreneur, community leader, and devoted family man. His memory will continue to live on through the values he instilled in his family and the lasting impact he made on those around him.
