Muslim business owners form new chamber of commerce—will focus on slowing down crime

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – The Memphis Muslim Chamber of Commerce has officially launched following the murders of two business owners in their community.

Khalid Ghazali was a husband and father of six who hailed from war-torn Gaza.

Surveillance footage shows he was killed in a sea of bullets outside of his Frayser beauty supply store Saturday.

Ghazali’s death, along with the shooting death of Farese Shihab outside his East Shelby Drive business this past February,  inspired the creation of the Memphis Muslim Chamber of Commerce.

“When we talk to our members about what was the most pressing thing that was on their mind, the most pressing thing on their mind is to make their business safe for their customers,” said executive director Talib Karim.

Kareem says the organization represents some of the more than 2,200 Muslim business owners across the city.

Many have become victims of crime themselves which is a common story for business owners of all faiths.

Memphis business owners and our customers alike demand to be able to go and spend their money and engage in commerce in places that is as safe as quite frankly the airport,” said Karim.

” The airport is one of the safest places in Memphis. Why? Because there is a regulation of the type of guns go into the airport,” said Karim.

Gun control, tougher sentencing, and investing in youth were some of their concerns to hopefully curb crime and potentially save lives.

The Muslim Chamber of Commerce announced they are also sponsoring 10 young men to attend a STEM summer program.

It’s a 200-thousand dollar investment and they are challenging the city to help fund another 90 participants in the program.

Meanwhile, if you have any information about the death of Khalid Ghazali call Crimestoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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