Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
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
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • 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
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Podcast Info
    • Hanania Podcast intro
    • Live Arab Radio
  • Your Views
  • Submit Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community Activism
  • Former City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host “forum” to explore Mayor Lightfoot’s racist crackdown on Arab stores Activism
  • Imam Jamal Saad leads the more than 1,000 muslim attendees in payer at SeatGeek Stadium's open grounds at the Eid al-Fitr celebration May 2, 2022 in Bridgeview
    Local Illinois officials join Chicagoland Muslims for Eid Celebration at SeatGeek stadium American Arabs
  • DCEO Panel discussion on business support opportunities for all businesses including Arab American businesses, April 26, 2022
    DCEO Access to Capital: Arab American Heritage Month business workshop American Arabs
  • DCEO Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month (AAHM) American Arabs
  • Alderman Raymond Lopez addresses the gathering at an Iftar hosted by Radi Abuhashish Thursday April 21, 2022 joined by Dr. Willie Wilson and other candidates for Chicago Mayor.
    Political candidates join local Arab leaders for Iftar Activism
  • U.S. Congressional Candidate Rob Cruz in the 6th District GOP Primary election June 28, 2022
    Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress, Rob Cruz, Opens a Dialogue with the Palestinian Community American Arabs
  • Peak Rock Capital affiliate completes acquisition of Ziyad Brothers, a leading provider of brander Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot American Arabs
  • April 24, 2022 Illinois DCEO American ArabChamber event
    American Arab Chamber and DCEO host online panel to help Arab Businesses secure funding Activism
  • Oussama Jammal presents Congresswoman Marie Newman with the Courage Award during the USCMO Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner. Photo courtesy of Marie Newman Facebook Page
    Newman endorsed by major Arab and Muslim leaders Activism
  • Chicago ALderman Raymond Lopez announces his candidacy for Mayor of Chicago on Wednesday April 6, 2022. Photo courtesy of Ray Lopez announcement video
    Champion of Arab American rights Ray Lopez announces for Mayor American Arabs
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6 American Arabs
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC’s Annual “Spirit of Humanity” Awards and Dinner Gala Scheduled for October 27, 2022 American Arabs
Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor

Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings

Posted on May 7, 2022May 7, 2022 By rayhanania No Comments on Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings
SHARE ...
8         
 
  
8
Shares

  • Tweet

Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor Lightfoot for racist store closings

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce blasted Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot as “racist” for shutting down Arab and Muslims businesses when crimes are committed near them. Chamber officials said Lightfoot does not close stores owned by other racial groups when crimes occur near their businesses.

By Ray Hanania

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce on Thursday accused Mayor Lori Lightfoot of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in areas of the city with high crime rates.

Chamber officials said the targeting was “racists and discriminatory” and they noted that Lightfoot is blaming the Arabs and Muslims when street gang members killed people because the mayor can’t organize effective counter measures to stop the crime wave.

On Tuesday, May 3, at around 9:30 AM, a suspect believed to be a street gang member ran south on Hamlin Avenue carrying an AK-47 and crossed  east on Chicago Avenue to confront and shoot and kill a man who was standing on the city sidewalk who was reading information on his cell phone. The man was pronounced dead.

Arab and Muslim Americans protested that the killing had “absolutely nothing to do” with the Citgo Gas Station and grocery Store  at 3759 W. Chicago Ave, where the victim fell after being shot on the edge of the businesses’ parking area and gas pumps. Police asked the owner Ahmad Mohsin if he would close his store for two days to allow police to investigate the shooting, and he complied.

Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.

 

However, on Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Lightfoot ordered the anti-Arab and anti-Muslim Task Force to order the gas station and grocery store to remain closed pending an unscheduled Building Department hearing, causing the owner to lose thousands of dollars in revenue, to temporarily layoff employees, and result in the losses of tens of thousands of dollars in gasoline and retail sales taxes paid to the city, county and state.

“They asked me to close and I voluntarily closed to help the police. We had nothing to do with the shooting. We are law abiding citizens and we assist the police to protect the people in our neighborhood, many of whom are our employees,” Mohsin said at a press conference on Thursday organized by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce.

 

“On Wednesday, the inspectors came and placed the Notice of Closure on our windows and doors telling us we could not open until a hearing by the city was held and so far no hearing date has been set.”

Mohsin said that the gasoline station pays more than 90 cents in taxes for each gallo sold estimating that the store generates more than $120,000 in revenue mostly to the city, but also to the county and the state.

Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor

“This is a pattern that Mayor Lightfoot continues to pursue, to close Arab and Muslim stores to make it seem like she is doing something about the rising crime rate when in fact Mayor Lightfoot is doing nothing. Every citizens in Chicago should be angry with what she is doing,” said American Arab Chamber President Hassan Nijem at a press conference Thursday in front of the Citgo Gas Station.

“We are demanding that Mayor Lightfoot stop targeting Arab and Muslim store owners. Mayor Lightfoot should fight crime not fight Arab and Muslim store owners who are law abiding taxpayers who respect the laws and the communities where they operate.”

American Arab Chamber President Hassan Nijem speaks to the media at press conference Thursday May 5 at the Citgo gas station closed by Mayor Lightfoot for an unrelated street gang crime at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
American Arab Chamber President Hassan Nijem speaks to the media at press conference Thursday May 5 at the Citgo gas station closed by Mayor Lightfoot for an unrelated street gang crime at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.

Nijem noted that days later, street gang members killed someone in front of a Streeterville Hotel in downtown Chicago.

“Did they close the hotel when the murder took place there? Do they close other businesses when gang violence occurs in front of their stores on city property, sidewalks and streets? No. They only close Arab and Muslims stores because the mayor has decided to pursue a racist policy against street gang violence rather than to find an effective way to. confront crime.”

Citgo Gas Station co-owner Ahmad Mohsin speaks to the media at press conference Thursday May 5 at the Citgo gas station closed by Mayor Lightfoot for an unrelated street gang crime at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
Citgo Gas Station co-owner Ahmad Mohsin speaks to the media at press conference Thursday May 5 at the Citgo gas station closed by Mayor Lightfoot for an unrelated street gang crime at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.

Members of the Chicago City Council who have spoken out against this discriminatory practice by Mayor Lightfoot have convened a special public forum to be held on Monday, May 9 beginning at 1 PM at the Islamic Community Center of Illinois (ICCI), 6435 W. Belmont Avenue.

The meeting is being hosted by Ald. Gilbert Villegas and supported by several Aldermen including Raymond Lopez and Silvana Tabares.

Mohsin also criticized the city for spreading false claims about his gas station. In response to the news media inquiries, Mayor Lightfoot’s spokesperson falsely claimed that the gas station had 18 citations and violations against it. What the Mayor failed to note was that the 18 violations were issued over a 20 year period, with the last citation given in 2021.

Watch the Press Conference Video by CLICKING HERE os using the widget right below:


Here are links from the news media coverage

WLS ABC TV CLICK TO VIEW

WBBM CBS TV CLICK TO VIEW

Chicago Sun-Times. CLICK TO READ

The Blaze. CLICK TO READ

FOX TV News CLICK TO VIEW

WataugaNews CLICK TO VIEW

Suburban Chicagoland News CLICK TO VIEW

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday - May 15, 2022
  • Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings - May 7, 2022
  • Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential - May 7, 2022

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
8         
 
  
8
Shares
 
8
Shares
8         
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Business, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, News, Politics, racism, Ray Hanania Tags:Arab Americans, Arabs targeted, discrimination, Muslim Americans, racism, racist store closing, street gang violence

Post navigation

Previous Post: Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential
Next Post: Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday

Related Posts

  • Syria Direct launches audio series highlighting Syrian women’s voices Arab World
  • Kayrouz urges Lebanese expatriates to strengthen homeland Activism
  • Jordan backdrop for three Oscar nominees American Arabs
  • Sioux City in Iowa urges Arabic families to move to their community American Arabs
  • Chris Hodges, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Assistance Coordination and Press and Public Diplomacy at the State Department’s Bureau for Near Eastern Affairs
    State Department leads discussion on live Arab Radio American Arabs
  • Dalal El-Barbarawi to deliver commencement speech at Roosevelt University Dec. 13, 2019
    Palestinian student will deliver commencement speech at Roosevelt University Dec. 13 American Arabs

More Related Articles

15,000 Chicago protestors demand end to Israeli occupation American Arabs
Secretary Kerry’s speech on Middle East peace Arab World
Partnership Census Specialist Amjad T. Assi, deputy regional census manager for the Chicago Region Ellisa Johnson, and American Arab Chamber of Commerce President Hasan Nijem. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Arab Americans play major role in Illinois U.S. Census drive Activism
Palestinian failures come down to absence of strategic PR Arab World
UAE Embassy Visits the City of Atlanta, Georgia to Promote Increased Partnership and Trade American Arabs
Salameh Zanayed Arabs of Chicagoland Book. Photo courtesy of Salameh Zanayed Arab community mourns passing of Salameh Zanayed American Arabs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Palestinian refugees forced to flee their homes at gunpoint by Jewish terrorist groups operating in Palestine in the 1930s, 1940s and after Israel was created on May 14, 1948. Photo courtesy of the United Nations
    Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential
    May 7, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • Chicago's racist Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered more than 150 Arab owned stores closed in 2021 in a racist effort o fight street gang crimes
    Arab Daily News launches Arab American Network to fight racism
    March 12, 2022
  • NEWS
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Former City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday
    May 15, 2022
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings
    May 7, 2022
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host “forum” to explore Mayor Lightfoot’s racist crackdown on Arab stores
    May 3, 2022
  • NEWSWIRE
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot
    April 15, 2022
  • On March 28, 2022, the American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) visited the Consulate General of Mexico in Michigan and presented its AHRC Exemplary Diplomat Leadership Award to His Excellency Fernando Gonzalez Saiffe, outgoing Consul General of Mexico.
    AHRC Presents Exemplary Diplomat Leadership Award to Outgoing Mexican Consul Fernando Gonzalez Saiffe:
    March 30, 2022
  • 03-30-22 Arab Chamber Heritage Month Flyer
    Arab Chamber to host Arab Heritage Month dinner March 30
    March 14, 2022

The Tabboun Column

The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
  • Tabboun
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Political Grapevine/The Tabboun, Friday Dec. 16, 2021
    December 16, 2021
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Chicago remains strongest Palestine voice
    September 7, 2016
  • The Tabboun: Israeli human rights violations hit
    June 30, 2016
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Himes questions troop deployment to Syria
    November 3, 2015
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Tabboun: Dearborn removes statue of racist former mayor
    September 29, 2015

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.

  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • ZiyadBrandLogo-2016BlackRedBackgrnd.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.jpg
  • HANANIA Arab News Op-Eds
  • Ukraine conflict gives Palestinians chance to redefine their conflict
    March 9, 2022
  • Mishmeshan PHC medical center destroyed in Syrian Government assaults. Photo courtesy of UOSSM Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations
    President Biden’s dyslexic policy in Syria is a mess
    October 20, 2021
  • Annissa Essaibi George and family
    Annissa Essaibi George faces “race hypocrisy” in campaign to be Boston Mayor
    October 20, 2021
  • Jerusalem image of Jews and Arabs walking together. Shutterstock. Courtesy of Arab News Newspaper
    Jewish Michigan lawmaker leads push for Two State Solution
    October 7, 2021
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib, book cover. Photo courtesy of Cune Press
    Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib
    November 1, 2021
  • Girl Fighters, new book on Yemen Book Cune Press
    New Book: Girl Fighters: Break Tradition in Yemen 
    October 25, 2021
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • 03-30-22 Arab Chamber Heritage Month Flyer
    Arab Chamber to host Arab Heritage Month dinner March 30
    March 14, 2022
  • “Rupture”, the psychological thriller produced by MBC STUDIOS, has won Best Saudi Film at the 2021 Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF).
    MBC GROUP’s Rupture wins Best Saudi Film at the inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival
    December 15, 2021
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

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

Copyright © 2022 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme