When They Fight the Community…
A coalition of Muslims, Jews and Christians voted to ban alcohol from their neighborhoods and fought to keep the ban in place. However, it was fought by liquor store owners Bakhos El-Khoury, Hamdallah “Jimmy” Mohammed, Ata “Tony” Badwan, and Riyad Fallaheen who opposed the people and struggled tooth and nail to continue to distribute poison in the community.
Whether or not these guys are actually Muslim (and sadly they probably are), because they are apparently Arab, it will be seen as a blackeye to Islam because of their names. They stood up AGAINST the people to bring back the selling of alcohol. I contend to all of you that this is the kind of thing that we absolutely CAN NOT defend or whitewash or try to explain away. More below the fold
Four western Louisville businesses that had been barred from alcohol sales will be allowed to sell liquor and beer today under a court order issued yesterday.
Jefferson Circuit Judge Mary Shaw issued a restraining order late yesterday afternoon preventing enforcement of the ban in two of four precincts after hearing a request from attorney Teddy Gordon, who represents two of five businesses.
Gordon said his clients, Bakhos El-Khoury of Bakos Liquors at 3401 W. Market St. and James Wilson of Wilson’s Liquors at 3804 River Park Drive, were thrilled with the order, and the two are expected to resume sales by 10 a.m. today.
“At all times, they felt it was unfair for them to close when you can just walk across the street and get alcohol,” Gordon said, referring to liquor stores located just outside the four precincts, which make up a large swath of Shawnee and a sliver of Portland.
Under the order, El-Khoury and Wilson need only pay a $1 bond in circuit court this morning before resuming alcohol sales.
The same applies for Hamdallah “Jimmy” Mohammed, owner of F & Y Market at 3801 W. Market St., and Riyad Fallaheen, owner of Shorty’s Market at 3801 W. Broadway, because their stores are in the same precincts named in Shaw’s order.
A fifth store, Kader’s No. 2 Supermarket owned by Ata “Tony” Badwan, is still banned from alcohol sales because it operates in a precinct not named in the order.
The ban on alcohol sales is the result of special elections held in the four precincts on Sept. 11, but the stores had been able to continue sales until earlier this month under an emergency stay granted by the state Court of Appeals.
That court ruled Feb. 7 that the stay no longer existed because two related lawsuits had been dismissed in Jefferson Circuit Court. Thurman Senn, the attorney representing Mohammed, Fallaheen and Badwan, welcomed Shaw’s order and said he was prepared to ask the Jefferson County attorney’s office to agree not to cite Kader’s. If it refuses, Senn said he plans to go before Shaw to request another restraining order.
Bill Patteson, a spokesman for the county attorney’s office, said late yesterday that attorneys there had not yet seen the restraining order but that the office has a policy of not commenting on active litigation.
Metro Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton, a leader of the anti-liquor effort in the four precincts, issued a statement saying she was disappointed by Shaw’s decision.
“This has become a frustrating experience for a community that followed the rules and did everything by the book to have a legitimate election,” she said in the statement.
The Rev. Geoffrey Ellis, pastor of Greater St. James AME Church and another leader of the anti-liquor effort, declined to comment on the order until he and other organizers had had a chance to talk to county attorneys.
In the earlier lawsuits that were dismissed, Gordon and Senn had challenged the validity of the elections.
Gordon has appealed the dismissal to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, arguing that Jefferson County’s alcoholic-precinct boundaries, as drawn, show favoritism to certain license holders and are therefore unconstitutional.
The county attorney’s office has said a variety of factors were considered in drawing the boundaries.
Senn is currently preparing his state appeal of the dismissal.
This is shameful and sad
As Salaamu Alaikum Bro. Mahdi
As the director of the MAS Freedom Foundation, that’s all you say? Why doesn’t your organization go to war with these vermin? Why must I, a humble blogger, have to be the one to fight these maggot-filled pus sores with Muslim names, when we have well funded organizations such as MFF? Why are you, as a Muslim Watchdog group, so conspicuously silent on these issues, isn’t that what YOU’RE there for? Why don’t you expose these criminals who give Islam a black eye in the Black community, hurting your own Black people? You can’t even give this issue a little blog space? Could it be because MAS Freedom Foundation is an Immigrant Muslim group which is extremely reticent to fight other immigrant Muslims, no matter how wrong they may be? Brother, quite honestly, your response is “SHAMEFUL and SAD!
You know Abdur-Rahman, you make a lot of excellent points, (I LOVED your Blackamerican Muslims don’t stand for justice series) including in this post, but you often let you blind rage against immigrants destroy what you are saying like an out of control wild fire.
This has to be the most tragic thing about your writings. You make a good point, then nullify it with an unfair attack like the one above on Imam Bray. I don’t think I have read you admit a single time that there are good Muslim immigrants. MANY Muslim immigrants hate the things that men like those in the story above do and are embarassed by it. While these men may have done evil, they do NOT represent the totality of Muslim immigrants by a long shot. I know a LOT of immigrants that are as concerned about the black Muslim community as you are. Why smear them too?
Many Muslims of all colors and backgrounds are working together to do good. Where are you? If you were out here, perhaps you would not see this stereotype of an immigrant behind every wall trying to “get at” the black man?
This is what makes you different from other black Muslims active in the community like Siraj Wahaj, Mahdi Bray, and others. Other bloggers like Tariq Nelson, Charles Catchings and Marc Manley provide solutions and do not blame immigrants for every single problem the way you do.
I am only saying this because you have made so MANY EXCELLENT points about our situation, but you just can’t blame every single person.
Remember the white female college student that Malcolm regretted running away? I see what you are doing as the same thing. You can do a lot of good, but just stop the “blame the immigrants for everything” thinking.
ASA AND P.B.U.H UPON THE GREATEST ROLE MODEL SENT TO THE
HUMAN FAMILY.
To my dear Br. Abdur Muhammad i understand your frustration, but
attacking brothers like Imam Bray is not the solution.The points you
make are excellent, evil grows when good men let it.
To my dear brother or sister word , we need to see the immigrant community speak
out with the same passion against this evil.
There are mosques and islamic centers who say nothing for fear some of these owners will stop financial contributions. People sometimes take this silence as condoning these acts.
We cant let ethnicity stop us from speaking out. Our Prophet (s.a.w)
told us to bear witness to the truth even against our selves.
According to the Qur’an, courage is a soundness of character, which springs from trusting in and relying on Allah, and devoting one’s life to Him at all times. As we have seen the best examples of this soundness of character can be seen in the lives of our prophets (a.s) sent by Allah.
We should go to our brother who indulge in this evil and remind them,It is Allah Who gives life and property. Just as He confers these on whom He wishes, so, too, it is in Allah’s power to take them back, whenever and however He likes. It should also not be forgotten that nothing happens by coincidence. When living according to the morality of the Qur’an, one who acts with courage and determination for the sake of Allah, will experience nothing that is not written for him according to his fate.
May Allah (s.w.t) forgive us all for our sins
Salaamu alaikum Br. Abu Suliman & Br. Word:
May I please ask you two a question? I do not always agree or understand some ideas of his, but what is wrong with constructive criticism? How can we ever grow, and prosper if we don’t thoroughly evaluate ourselves? And furthermore, why can’t the laity be included in the process of evaluation? — Being exclusive about who does so is hindering our success! Remember Rasulullah sws said : ” A leader is a servant of the people.”
So many of the major “immigrant” organizations constantly tout how they support democracy– but democracy for who? If this were truly the case, blogs like this wouldn’t even exist? The needs of all ethnic groups would be met or at least adequately addressed in a dignified manner.
My other question to you two is this: why is any African American qualified to speak to the needs of other African Americans ( be they Muslim or otherwise) while at the same time being funded by another group who may have international ties and agendas that competes with ours? Don’t you see the hypocrisy in that?
( by the way I am speaking generally and not referring to Br. Bray)
Why can’t we hold our so called leadership accountable?– It’s the put your money where the mouth is, isn’t it? Could it be, our needs are dismissed because of this? So, our needs aren’t worthy of attention?
What about it?
This can’t talk back attitude SUCKS! It’s a major reason adults distance themselves from other Muslim, and our children are on the brink of leaving the deen.
Where is the democracy in our communities that major immigrant groups always brag about?
Salaam
Sister Seeking
P.S.- If you do respond and I don’t get back with you, it’s because I’m working on this stupid project at work! ugh!
I’m not sure if you two realize it, but the can’t talk back attitude, especially in relation to the immigrant leadership or even our own belittles people in such a manner it insults their intelligence; this attitude also has strong racial over tones of ” yes massa” as well.
I’m not saying belligerence and down right niggardliness should be tolerated; Abdur Rahman is far from this.
I and several others once tried to confront another person about their affiliation by writing for an immigrant masjid known for their ” degree away from being salafi” and also published in the Washington Post for terrorist/racketeering related activities. There was no response.
Now back to work…
ASA Sister speaking love your fervent response.I hope you read my criticism of the immigrant community about not speaking to the matter.
As far as holding leadership accountable sister i am very old school.
Muslim leadership needs to realize there are brothers who will kick —-
if need be. Br.Abdur Rahman thank Allah that you our that blogger that
speaks to truth it might be the thing that gets you in the Garden.
Remember the youth who stood up at Umars(r.a) khutbah, i am just saying do it without attacking and Allah knows best.
P.S my first encounter with the majority tribe was as a 4 year old
boy in the south, i was smacked upside the head by a white policeman for drinking out the wrong fountain. i say this to say injustice and i are well acquainted.
As Salaamu Alaikum Word,
If you read my series you would have certainly seen where I said (in part five) that I believe most Muslims are good, well meaning people. So follow your own advice and be fair to ME! GO BACK AND CHECK IT!
“Unfair attack” ? In the first place, what is unfair about my comments to bro. Mahdi? These well-funded immigrant groups like the one he heads up are completely silent when immigrant Muslims exploit the Black community !!! On that point can anybody call me a liar? Let me be clear here. I’m not talking about perhaps the good brothers and sisters like yourself, those who try to effect change on an individual level. If you read my writings carefully you will find that usually whenever I criticize “immigrants” I’m talking about ORGANIZATIONS. These arabs are selling beer, wine, pork, porno,lotto, etc to Black people and these organizations say nothing. I am only one man with limited resources. You talk about solutions. Isn’t pointing out the hypocricy of Muslims groups a part of the solution? Why, for example, am I suppose to cry and cry and cry about Palestine and many other struggles in the Muslim world, but when I need these organizations to rally to the support of the Black community in their struggle to defeat criminal “Muslims” I BECOME THE ONE THAT’S DIVISIVE OR ANTI-IMMIGRANT. Please brother, rather than being so damn sensitive why don’t you help me shame these national organizations into doing what’s right.
Remember my brother, this stuff has been going on a very, very long time, and quite frankly many of us are sick of it. We are not going to be demogogued into silence anymore!
You tell me brother (or sister) Word. When was the last time any of the national immigrant groups took a stand against the so-called Muslims who exploit the Black community? If you find an instance send it to me so that I can post it.
Also brother (or sister) Word, let me share some inside information with you for a moment. Some of the brothers that you have mentioned no longer enjoy a large following in the Blackamerican Muslim community because they failed to represent the concerns of their constituencies. I will leave it to you to figure out which ones I am referring to. They are seen as too heavily influenced by immigrant concerns and have lost an enormous amount of respect with their own people (well, you read part 3 of my series). I’m sorry to say that the term “Uncle Tom” comes up over and over again. That is the reason this blog has caught on like wild fire, because the “leaders” who were suppose to be providing direction for us were more interested in keeping their immigrant funded gigs. I know that you are not used to hearing this, and that is fine. I wish it weren’t true but it is. That is how this blog continues to sustain an audience. It truly is A SINGULR VOICE.
Word, please understand me (and I would not be deterred if you didn’t), I believe in Allah and His Messenger and the unity of this ummah. I love the God-fearing Muslims with all my heart and if you ever met me in person you would never believe that I hate immigrants or anything like that. But I’m a fighter for justice, and right is right and wrong is wrong. Although what I write sometimes sounds bitter, that’s because the conditions for Black people (especially the male) in America are dire. I am not the kind of person who accepted Islam only to be exploited and used by those claiming to be my brother.
You say that many of the Muslims read about the men in the story and are embarassed by them. Are they embarassed enough to fight them? Are they embarassed enough to withhold their money from the large national organizations that sanction what they do? Yes, you heard me right, SANCTION what they do! Just recently a Florida branch of CAIR actually DEFENDED a group of Arab businesses guilty of trying to exploit the Black community, selling all manner of haraam. DO YOU WANT ME TO POST THAT ALSO?
But let me tell you why they will never go after those exploiters. Because those criminal businesses contribute huge sums of money to masaajids and national organizations who in turn turn look the other way from the havoc and destruction their illegal wares inflict on the Black community.
And Allah is the one whose help is sought
ASA PLEASE INFORM US OF THIS CAIR BRANCH WHICH IS GUILTY OF THIS
I WILL LIKE TO SEE THE REASON FROM QURAN AND SUNNAH FOR THIS SUPPORT
asalaamlikum
Br. Abdur Rahman, I am personally disappointed by the turn your blog has taken… it is more and more turning into a point of vilification and hate-mongering for your non-black brothers. I know that is not your intention, and I know you say that you are talking about organizations. But these organizations represent many Muslims, are supported by many Muslims, and by virtue of that, you are indeed vilifying many, many Muslims.
But my point of stopping by today was not to belabor this immigrant vs blacks discussion, which frankly seems to be in the process of becoming part of the problem than part of the solution.
Rather, my point of stopping by is to stand up for the honor of my fellow Muslims that you have referred to as “Uncle Toms”.
What have we come to when we call our fellow Muslims “Uncle Toms” for working with other Muslims? Is their support and work with MAS, CAIR, ISNA, etc. equivalent to blacks joining forces with the bigots and the white supremacists? Are they being subservient to immigrants? What unnecessary accommodation are they providing?
I am sorry akhi, but you are deeply mistaken. Imam Mahdi, Imam Siraj Wahaj, Imam Johari and other illustrious blackAmerican leaders are not Uncle Toms.
Never in my life have I or leaders in these organizations (and I have been in leadership positions in these organizations so I know what I am saying) looked down upon these distinguished individuals as mere tokens for black presence. Instead, desis and Arabs trip over each to book and listen to these men. Not because their color or race is different from ours. Rather, it is because they inspire us. Their eloquence moves us and their words enrich us.
I am sorry, akhi, these aren’t Uncle Toms. They are a steal for the Muslim Ummah and we are only blessed and better to have them among us.
Could it be that they joined these noble and expansive organizations because these groups presented these men the greatest opportunity to reach the largest number of people with their dawah? Could it be that they joined these organizations because black organizations, other than the nationalistic WD Muhammad movement, were not available?
No, these individuals are indeed not Uncle Toms.
They are Elders. Elders of the Muslim community. And I would take any of them over a 99% of Arab or desi Imams.
And if there is anyone who will make a difference in black communities, it is these people. They will become the bridges between the blackamericans and the established organizations that are dominated by immigrants (but not mandated such).
They, dear brother, will be part of the solution. Not part of the problem.
your Pakistani immigrant brother
-amad
P.S. As I have learned from my friend and brother Tariq Nelson, “Anger makes us only bitter, not better”. We should all take heed to this.
Oops, in the hurry, I missed two important words in the P.S. quote… Anger WITHOUT ACTION makes one bitter, not better.
Abdur-Rahman, the brother Mahdi Bray denounced this but did not go far enough in for your taste. Ever thought that perhaps he didn’t have time to say more, but wanted to chime in?
In your series on Blackamerican Muslims I assumed you were talking about blacks. I stand corrected.
How do you know how “well-funded” the immigrant groups are? You repeated mentioned “well-funded” immigrant groups. Have you looked at their books? I have worked for some of these groups and they are not awash in cash like you may think. You make it seem like they are Fortune 500 corporations holding on to hundred of millions of dollars. Your speech reflect a person who has never worked for any of these organizations. This is very unfair.
However, I will say once again that you bring up MANY good points. I only ask you to think a little bit before letting your emotions get the better of you as your bitterness comes out in your writing very clearly. Many of us are noticing it and it is counter-productive.
Let me give you an example: those of us who send people to your blog, will get feedback saying that “he made a good point, but he is bitter” and they will use that to dismiss your good points.
ASA The bottom line to these debates is who is the enemy. Being of Afro-Arab- Cherokee linage, i will share some native american wisdom about the enemy.(I consider myself a black man aint trying
to pass)
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, ‘My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.’
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: ‘Which wolf wins?’
The old Cherokee simply replied, ‘The one you feed.’
On the other hand would like to share some slave wisdom from my
great aunt who just turned 104 yrs old
When the axe first went into the forest
Some of the trees were worried
Other trees said don’t worry brothers, the handle is one of us
There is a lot of truth in both statements
ASA,
I agree with most of your post but the Salafi post commentary on Arabs being over the rest of humanity while disturbing; I don’t understand why you had to bring the National American Muslim organizations into it. I like Bro. Amad was a bit confused; seeing as most of these orgs are not Arab run nor want to lean toward the Salafi Mahab. Now, that doesn’t mean you won’t go to a convention and some of the participants will openly call blacks abd to their faces but that’s the dunya and not from any “official” class they may have attended. Sometimes you just can’t shake that out of people but that doesn’t mean its apart of their official aqeedah classes. I’ve worked for years for MAS and never saw leaders preach such a thing nor bring someone in to speak who has these kinds of leanings.
I don’t see the point in asking them to denounce something they never had any attachment to in the 1st place. It’s weird….
Now I agree with this latest post too, but not with your delivery. No, you will not find orgs denouncing Muslims involved in Haram businesses in ANY community for the most part. It’s also true that it’s just isn’t on ANY priority list for ANY MUSLIM ORGANIZATION in America. This is a fact and pointing it out, asking them why, and calling them to task isn’t disrespectful in the least. I would say as more blacks join the ranks of these organizations then perhaps you might get some headway on these matters. For some orgs funds are limited and some seem to always be able to come up with cash but all cashed is linked to priorities of the ones giving the cash. We (blacks) aren’t giving them large sums of money, we don’t really sit at the table so what do we really expect? Like a person with stock options in a company you want to see your money go where your interest lay. So worrying about what others do or don’t do won’t really help because you don’t have a seat at the table and the few that do depend on staying at the table to provide for their own families so rocking the boat is very slim. Best thing to do is apply our own pressure to these people who deal haram in the communities and vocally shame masjids who take support from these individuals.
Going after the masjids who accept their support might be better than going after national orgs because it cuts past the red tape faster. Unless a national org has members on its board who deal in haram or support haram businesses; than that’s a different matter all together.
I’m going to have to pull a Colin Powell and stay silent on my other feelings on black leadership in these orgs. I’m way to deep into the inner workings of orgs and some people discussed. I don’t think its a good idea to go any further on my personal feelings based on real life dealings with anyone.
However, no one is perfect, their seems to not to be enough time in the day. So of course even if people wish they could do something, they simply can’t be everywhere at once. Some of this stuff we’re just going to have to work on ourselves. If they jump on board then great the more the merry and if not then Alhamdulliah perhaps we’ll see them down the road.
ASA PLEASE INFORM US OF THIS CAIR BRANCH WHICH IS GUILTY OF THIS
I WILL LIKE TO SEE THE REASON FROM QURAN AND SUNNAH FOR THIS SUPPORT.THIS WAS A SERIOUS CHARGE AND YOU SEEM TO BE A SERIOUS BROTHER. PLEASE GIVE US THE FACTS
I can feel your frustration with the arab alcohol cartel in black communities. Where I am from Yemenis own over 70% of the houses of alcohol. Besides alcohol, they sell outdated poor quality food that is over-priced. Also porn, lotto tickets and pork. Attacking some organizations is legit here. I saw Arab brothers I prayed with on TV talking about the yemenis are not breaking American laws by selling alcohol. At least they should have just remained quiet and not provide cover. Islam is clear on this issue. At the end of the day this is the black communities fault. Arabs are just the latest people to exploit our sickness.
Gassus, your last sentence is 100% correct, but we (the Muslim community) must stand up loudly against this type of exploitation. We are supposed to clean people up
To many muslims organzations and Masjids accept haram money without having a problem with it.The Prophet[SAW]said flesh which has grown out of what is unlawful,will not enter Paradise but Hell is
more fitting for all flesh which has grown out of what is unlawful.
hadith recoreded in musnad of Ahmad.Also the Prophet [Saw] said
Whoso purchases a cloth with ten dirhams wherein one dirham is unlawful,Allah,the Almighty shall not accept his supplication so long as it will last upon him.Also in the Musnad of Ahmad.The boards
and adminstation in most cases know who are ones dealing and running these operations which exploit our communties.At fund raisers they accept these criminals cash and checks with no problem.
I know what I”m talking about I witness and I’m sure many of have to.
Lets shut them down I am sick of the excuse brother I have to make a living you dont understand.