Muslim-Owned Liquor Stores Attacked, Owner Kidnapped
(Updated 11/29) Vandals in suits and bow-ties burned down an Oakland liquor store early Monday morning and kidnapped the Middle Eastern-born owner, who was found in the trunk of a car Monday afternoon. They were apparently the same vandals who smashed cases and displays last Wednesday. Both stores attacked belonged to the Yemini American Grocery Association and were targeted because they were selling alcohol. Said one store owner: “They asked us if we were Muslim. When we said ‘yes,’ one of them said that good Muslims shouldn’t be poisoning the community with alcohol, or something like that.” Police have suggested the vandals have ties to a local community of Black Muslims.
The Nation of Islam is condemning the attacks. Another prominent Black Muslim group in the neighborhood has been unavailable for comment and police have not ruled out that they are under suspicion.
This happened two blocks from my house. I was in the liquor store the other night arguing with the clerk because he thought my New York ID might be fake. Ultimately, they were nice guys. The whole thing is really odd and horrible to me because it seems the local Black Muslims are targeting Muslim immigrants and acting as religious enforcers.