Former American gangsters after converting to Islam

In the city of Chicago, there is an area called O’Block which was previously known as the most dangerous gangster area in America is now the center of the growth of the black Muslim community. In 2011-2014, in O’Block there were 19 brutal shootings, making it the most dangerous area in the city of Chicago. However, since 2022 the number of crime and gang conflicts in O’Block declined dramatically as reports from the Chicago Police Department. This sudden change made the local police confused. Local residents call Islam the main cause.

Two important figures who influenced Islam in the O’Block area were Sadiq Ali, a former leader of a large gang in Chicago, and Kanoya Ali, a Muslim activist who accompanied Sadiq. In interviews and community forums, Sadiq said that Islam gave him a way out of destruction: “Islam helped me get out of missionary, violence, despair, death, family dysfunction, and destruction.”

He experienced spiritual despair and void, which made him begin to look for the meaning of life beyond power and gang. Then slowly, he began to study Islam because he was interested in the values of discipline, brotherhood, and social justice. After embracing Islam, he changed his lifestyle in total and began to preach in the environment he used to master as a gangster. Interestingly, the da’wah he did was not in the mosque or in a formal forum, but directly on the streets of O’Block which was prone to crime. Together with Kanoya Ali, he formed a local Muslim community that actively fostering youth, conducting studies, and building solidarity.

They are also involved in programs such as “Brotherhood Without Borders: O Block to the Bricks“, Which connects O’Block youth with other Muslim communities in the US. This is their da’wah strategy to share experiences and expand peace networks. They also take a direct approach to gang youth, not with formal lectures, but through dialogue and personal experience.

O’Block is a popular name for Parkway Gardens Apartment Homes, a housing complex in South Side Chicago, precisely at the 6400 Block of South King Drive. The name O’Block came from Odee Perry, a gang member who was shot dead in 2011. After his death, the local community began to refer to the area as “O’Block” to commemorate Perry. Between June 2011 and June 2014, O’Block recorded the highest number of shootings in Chicago, making it a symbol of gang violence. Some famous rapper drills such as Chief Keef, King Von, and Fredo Santana are from O’Block. Drill’s music represents the loud urban reality, and becomes the voice of the younger generation who live in social pressure.

Not only Sadiq Ali who has a dark past, but then he discovered Islam and became a street preacher in the most dangerous region in America. Sheikh Uthman bin Farooq who was born in Islamabad, Pakistan, and great in America is also the same. He is a former member of the gang who is accustomed to living in violence and street conflict, before finally finding Islam. After obtaining guidance, he studied Islamic science for more than a decade by studying Ulama in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and UAE. He returned to America and became a street preacher like Sadiq Ali. His courage to preach in the hardest environment in America, including O’Block, made him widely known.

Entering the O’Block area is very risky. However, Sheikh Uthman bin Farooq was not afraid to go there. In the viral video titled “O’Block Gangstas Meet Muslims & This Happed”, Sheikh Uthman preached directly at Parkway Gardens Apartments, O’Block’s heart. There he spoke to young gang members with a logical, polite, and empathy approach, not with intimidation. The response from the O’Block youth is very positive, some even declared shahada on the spot, showing how Islam touched their hearts.

The da’wah carried out by Sheikh Uthman bin Farooq does not always run smoothly. He had experienced bad events. On Thursday, March 24, 2022 he was stabbed by an unknown person while preaching on the streets of San Diego, California. The perpetrator was a man who approached him and stabbed him suddenly. Although injured, he survived and continued his da’wah after receiving medical treatment.

Before the incident, he had received the threat of murder, including a can that said: “We know your car. We know your house.” This stabbing is a clear proof that da’wah on the streets, especially in hard environments such as O’block and San Diego, not without risk. After the incident, Sheikh Uthman stated that he would not withdraw from the da’wah, even if he had to be martyred. He remains active in preaching in high-risk places, including O’Block, with enthusiasm: “If we have to be martyred, we are ready in the way of Allah.” Through the One Message Foundation, he has guided more than 2,000 people to embrace Islam.

In areas like O’Block, which was once known as the center of violence in the gang in Chicago, the presence of preachers is not just conveying the teachings of their religion to become agents of social and spiritual change. Their role is very crucial for the reason because they come from the same reality. Sadiq Ali is a former gang leader, and Sheikh Uthman bin Farooq has lived in a criminal world. Because both of them had experienced a hard life, his da’wah felt authentic and relevant for the O’Block youth.

The da’wah carried out is not in the pulpit, but directly on the streets, in the same place where violence occurs. The language used is understood by the community, touching social and spiritual wounds that have been ignored. As explained in the study of contemporary da’wah, preachers must be able to “ground and actualize Islam as Rahmatan lil ‘alamin“Together with other Muslim youths, they formed an active missionary community, as in the Brotherhood Withhout Borders program. They created a safe space for learning, discussing, and growing spiritually, which was previously not available at O’Block.

The drastic changes that occurred in O’Block, Chicago from a gang and violence area into a community that began to recognize the peace and spirituality of Islam is a clear example of how Islam is present as Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin, namely mercy for all nature. Based on QS Al-Anbiya: 107:

And I haven’t sent you compassion for two scholars

It means: “And we don’t send you (Muhammad), but to be a blessing to the whole world.”

Islam is not only for Muslims, but brings peace, justice, and affection to all humans, even the environment. O’Block transformation is proof that Islam, when delivered with wisdom and affection, is able to turn the conflict zone into a spiritual space. This is the essence of Islam as Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin – the religion that brought mercy, not only for its adherents, but for all humanity and the universe.

Also read: American Islamic Community United Fighting for American Muslim Human Rights

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Author: Muhammad Anwar

Editor: Muh. Sutan