Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Contact
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Toggle search form
  • US Senator Bernie Sanders
    Sanders: Trump Welcomes War Criminal to White House American Arabs
  • Al-Haq
    War crimes probe urged against two Israeli snipers who intentionally killed civilian women, children Christian & Muslim
  • CAIR Executive Director and co-founder Nihad Awad
    CAIR Says Israel Turns Gaza into ‘Human Slaughterhouse’ as Killing of Civilians Continues Arab World
  • photo credit author Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho www.NGPhoto.biz and Wikipedia
    Emergency Court Motions to Stop Elbit Drone Parts Shipment via Frankfurt Airport  Activism
  • American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh murdered by Israeli soldiers May 11, 2022
    Documentary names soldier it says killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022 American Arabs
  • Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ
    Jordan bans 12 news sites for ‘spreading media poison’ following corruption report Arab World
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech Activism
  • ADC creates emergency fund to defend people who are being punished for expressing views on the American-sanction violence by Israel in the Gaza Strip. Photo courtesy of ADC
    ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi Activism
  • UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba  Arab World
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month Activism
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders American Arabs
  • Stuffed Grape Leaves. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice American Arabs
  • Andrew Boutros, interim US Attorney Northern District of Illinois. Photo courtesy of the US Attorney's Office
    Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois American Arabs
  • Israeli massacres of Palestinian civilians March 18 2025
    Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip Arab World
  • Illinois Muslim Action Day April 9 2025
    Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference American Arabs
Portland, photo courtesy Abdennour Toumi

Portland Muslim community between condemnation & compassion

Posted on May 30, 2017 By Abdennour Toumi No Comments on Portland Muslim community between condemnation & compassion
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Portland Muslim community between condemnation & compassion

Brave American heroes make Portlanders proud and America great for standing up to racism and hate ideology

By Abdennour Toumi

In the wake of the tragic event that took place on Friday afternoon at the Hollywood Transit Center in northeast Portland, the Muslim community in the city and the country at large are still reeling. 

Two American men were stabbed to death and one injured after they tried to intervene when another male passenger began shouting anti-Muslim hate slurs terrorizing two young Muslim women one of whom was wearing Khemar (Islamic headscarf).

Portland police identified the two slain victims as 53-year-old Ricky John Best, a veteran and father of four, and 23-year-old Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, a recent graduate of Reed College here in the city. A third victim, 21-year-old Micah David-Cole Fletcher, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The heinous attack occurred on the eve of the month of Ramadan, as Muslim community leaders were addressing concerns about extra patrols and security around Portland, Tigard and Beaverton-area Mosques and islamic Centers in light of the escalating tension toward the Muslim and Arab communities. 

Portland, photo courtesy Abdennour Toumi

According to CAIR there has been nearly a 50% rise in hate crimes targeting Muslim and other communities since the election of President Trump in 2016. 

This tragic incident took place in the most welcoming and tolerant city in the U.S.; I did witness this tolerance first-hand during my years in the Rose City and the beautiful State of Oregon. People there are generous in spirit, interested in different cultural backgrounds and generally accepting of ethnic values. 

A liberal and cosmopolitan city with a wide variety of restaurants and food carts where the aroma of MiddleEastern food is always tempting to the passerby to stop, not only on a sunny day but even on the well-known rainy Oregon day.

In the past, Portland had another moment of “fame” in world news, the attempted bombing of the Christmas tree-lighting service at Pioneer Square, one act although diffused in a series of serious threats posed by homegrown radicals espoused by young American Muslims.

Local law enforcement and special agents reached out to Muslim community leaders across the state and country in response to the event.  Hence this joint effort of law and community resulted in the failure of the attempt. Furthermore it underscored the vital need for Muslim community leaders to control Islam’s message and avert further reckless activities of young Muslims.

Yet one acknowledges American society in general as an accepting and embracing culture exemplified by the spontaneous support of its citizens to the Somali community of which Mohammed Osman Mahmoud was a member.

Portland, photo courtesy Abdennour Toumi

Now, in the present day, the sacrifice of these two American men stands as a cornerstone of American heroism for liberty and multiculturalism.  For Muslims this serves as an open message for protection of their beliefs and acceptance of them as a people.

However, the actions of one individual can test the strength of beliefs held to be self-evident–and in this instance that test required the ultimate sacrifice on the part of those who stood agains the rage and hatred of the extremist. “He told us to go back to Saudi Arabia, and he told us we shouldn’t be here, to get out of his country,” Mangum said. 

“He was just telling us that we basically weren’t anything and that we should kill ourselves.”  These words from the terrorist are a clear indication of his level of hatred and ignorance.

On the other hand, the majority of Muslims are showing their gratitude toward these two American heroes. “I am very thankful as a Muslim, I am very thankful as a Portlander…that we stand together here as one,”  Muhammad A. Najeeb, Portland Islamic Center Imam, told the media.

Imam Najeeb is a valued leaders and an American Muslim thinker with whom I had the opportunity to share long hours of discussion at the Portland islamic Center, not far from the transit stop where the attack took place. We spoke often of the need for a strong role in leadership for young Muslims in the local community and the creation of a frank dialogue within the Muslim community in Portland.

He emphasized often in his Jomooa’a‘s Khotba (preachings) how to be grateful for your place in this country, your community at large and peaceful co-existence with non-Muslims. He often referred to his actions during the civil rights movement in Boston and Chicago.

According to the Associated Press, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney for Oregon will work with Portland police to investigate the case. The FBI said it’s too early to say whether the killings qualify as a federal hate crime, but U.S. Attorney Billy Williams said Saturday, “there’s a day of reckoning coming, a day of accountability,” the AP reported.

Police said they’ll examine what appears to be the extremist ideology of suspect Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, who is accused of killing the two men Friday.  Christian’s social media postings indicate an affinity for nazis and political violence.

Portland, photo courtesy Abdennour Toumi

Now Muslims and non-Muslims are reaching out to each other more and getting closer, like the mother of Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, the young man who gave his life, put it: “We ask that in honor of his memory, we use this tragedy as an opportunity for reflection and change. We choose love.”

Muslims don’t have to bear the guilt by association that comes from sins committed by self-destructive agents on both sides who believe that American is made for white supremacists or not a country worth living in.  Arab/Muslim communities need leadership that expresses the true tenets of Islam to guide youth and create meaningful dialogue with the culture at large.

Today Muslims across the world are grateful and thankful to those heroic Americans who stood up for American values, to make America great, and more importantly, to keep Portland an open and accepting city for people of all backgrounds and nationalities.

newswire info
  • About
  • Latest Posts
Abdennour Toumi
Follow me:
Abdennour Toumi
Abdennour Toumi:
- France correspondent for The Arab Daily News.
- www.bareed-areej.com Editor-in-Chief
رئيس تحرير مجلة بريد الأريج
- Political consultant at IMPR a Think-Tank based in Ankara, Turkey.
- Member at the European Observatory for Arabic Language Teaching based in Paris, France.
- Affiliated with Sociology of Islam Journal and contributor at Middle East Studies / International Studies, Sociology of Islam and Muslim Societies Center, Portland State University in Portland, OR.

EDUCATION: Diplôme des Études Approfondies (DEA) in Political Science from Toulouse University I, France. Master’s degree in Law from Algiers University, Algeria.

Email im at: nourhty@gmail.com
Abdennour Toumi
Follow me:
Latest posts by Abdennour Toumi (see all)
  • The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Is the Neither-Peace-nor-Security As-sumption Dominating Again? - June 7, 2021
  • Algeria: “I Can See Clearly Now” - August 5, 2019
  • Majesty Mohammed VI and General Gaïd Salah Tear Down This Wall! - July 29, 2019

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Abdennour Toumi, American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Terrorism Tags:Hollywood Transit Center, homicide, Oregon, Portland, Ricky John Best, Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, terrorism

Post navigation

Previous Post: USS Liberty Remembrance Day Invitation To: POTUS, Congress, New York Times and YOU
Next Post: Ethics Corrects Mistakes to End 50 yr. USA Govt. Cover-Up USS Liberty Incident

Related Posts

  • Imad Hamad is the executive director of the American Human Rights Council
    The Flood of 2021: A Time to Reflect and Seek Solutions American Arabs
  • Story by the Arab News on a poll it commissioned with YouGov.com on American perceptions of the Middle East. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1093246/middle-east
    Arab News & YouGov expose US ignorance of Middle East American Arabs
  • Ma'ale Efrayim an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied West Bank of Palestine  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    ACLU challenges discriminatory laws banning boycott of Israel American Arabs
  • Tyrant: Anti-Arab American hate TV offers new program this summer American Arabs
  • Standing up against racist laws that restrict free speech American Arabs
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC “Spirit of Humanity” Awards & Dinner Gala, New Date:  Friday, October 21, 2022  Activism

More Related Articles

Oscars debate still bothers me, even though it’s done American Arabs
State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022 Nichols discusses need to improve Arab-Black relations in Chicagoland American Arabs
FBI Badge & gun. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Court reinstates lawsuit from Muslims coerced by FBI to spy American Arabs
Palestine Endgame: Confront Israel, peace not achieveable Arab World
Poll shows most Americans oppose embassy move to Jerusalem Arab World
USS Liberty Vets with Friends of Sabeel on 911 about 8 June 1967 American Arabs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Ray Hanania's 4 times a week columns at https://RayHanania.com at Substack

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Photo courtesy of Journalist Abdennour Toumi
    France: Political Compromise vs Political Instability
    August 28, 2024
  • Zakia Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia
    Arabs eat Middle East food like they are making love
    June 27, 2024
  • Zwar lamb kabob and kufta with white and yellow rice
    Zwar ranked the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland suburbs
    June 8, 2024
  • Pictured: Rahm Emanuel, Afghan activist Salman Aftab who was co-chair of the Iftar dinner, and several non-Arab Muslim leaders. Also pictured is Ald. Joe Moore. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania for Arab News
    Comprehensive look at the failings of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    January 18, 2024
  • NEWSWIRE
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech
    June 1, 2025
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month
    April 29, 2025
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders
    April 27, 2025
  • Mike Ghouse
    Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony
    February 14, 2025

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • NEWS
  • US Senator Bernie Sanders
    Sanders: Trump Welcomes War Criminal to White House
    July 9, 2025
  • Al-Haq
    War crimes probe urged against two Israeli snipers who intentionally killed civilian women, children
    July 2, 2025
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Faisal Abbas Book Anecdotes
    Book Review: Arab author shares his anecdotes living in the United Kingdom
    October 22, 2024
  • Columnist Ray Hanania at the ADC Convention in Dearborn with the author Susan Abulhawa
    Book Review: Mornings in Jenin bySusan Abulhawa
    September 14, 2024
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Television set and remote. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
    MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator
    February 24, 2025
  • ArabCon 2024 Gala Program features Dr. Cornel West, Macklemore, and more
    September 6, 2024
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2025 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme