The owner of an Indian restaurant in Galveston, Texas said this week that he was closing shop after receiving anti-Muslim death threats for months.
Asad Khan told The Houston Chronicle that he was shuttering ZaZa Bar & Bites because in recent weeks the harassing calls and threats have escalated.
"I shut ZaZa down because of death threats towards me via phone calls," Khan explained. "In the last seven weeks or so (the) calls become worse. I did not enjoy being called "sand ni**er" or people telling me that I will die in ZaZa."
Last year, Khan showed up to work to find his front door covered in bacon, which is a food that is forbidden by Islam.
And although many in the community expressed support for ZaZa, Khan said that the threats have not stopped.
"I had seen on Facebook when ZaZa was 'baconed' last year that people down here believed that I was behind it. It really hurt me. There is no bankruptcy, none being filed," he pointed out. "It's easier to blame the victim than accept we have a problem."
"I opened ZaZa (as) a happy little fun project; this was supposed to (be) fun and love. Never did I think that people in Galveston are so closed-minded," Khan added. "People want me dead because of me being a Muslim. I am honestly sick to my stomach. And frankly, fearful."
