Tag Archives: Sufism

God’s Unruly Friends, BAM Cafe, and Paris.

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Last night (11/13/15), God’s Unruly Friends played at Bam Cafe in Brooklyn. Permit me to shout out to Kaveh Haghtalab, Tom Chess, and Chenana Manno for performances above and beyond the call to duty!

 

However, the event coincided with the Paris attacks, and the vibe was, shall I say, heavy.

 

I recall a story. The night when Martin Luther King was killed, Jimi Hendrix was booked to play Newark NJ (of all places). They wanted to cancel the concert, but Hendrix said no; he would do the show. Everyone was scared of the possibility of race riots. Hendrix walked on stage, and said “This is for a friend of mine.” He then abandoned all his usual songs, and improvised a long blues ballad that was so moving even the theater stagehands and janitors were in tears. (Naturally, nobody recorded it).

 

As you know, I’m a Muslim. And as it stands, I and my people are pretty much all “on trial” for the events in Paris. Whoever did those horrible attacks in Paris (and all over the Middle East, for that matter) are NOT Muslims! I see absolutely no Islam in what they do, and refuse to acknowledge ANY connection between them and real Islam. They are NOT my brothers in religion.


To the people of Paris, my heart goes out to you. I’ve visited your beautiful city a number of times, and your people are wonderful. Stay strong, and know that there are a lot of people who are sending love your way.

 

I’m a musician, and in many ways, I count for very little in this world. I have to do what I can with what I have. God’s Unruly Friends’ performance last night was us using our music as an imposition of love and spiritual power upon a political upheaval to counteract the presence of evil, oppression, and destruction. I pray it did some good. I pray that my music brings something useful into a chaos of futility, and something beautiful into a world of ugliness.

Epitath for a Friend.

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The morning of March 24th, 2015 was difficult on me. Imam Salihohu Djabbi; Imam and founder of Masjid Imam Ali in Brooklyn, Imam at the GMDC-C73 facility at Riker’s Island Prison Complex, and Amir of the Council of African Imams of New York City died after a four year battle with ALS. I knew Imam Salihou’s passing would not be far; the last time I visited him, he didn’t look well. Watching his health deteriorate was heartbreaking, Yet throughout it all, he never lost his faith, nor his good humor.

And now, Allah called him home. He made it; and we’re still here, asleep and dreaming our dark dreams. 

Imam Salihou  was a man of great spiritual attainment. Sitting with him, one shared in his blessings, and learned some very deep lessons. He was a wise and kind man whom I learned a great deal from. I worked with him for many years at the C73 building at Riker’s Island, and I can never forget how he always went out of his way to place me in a position of honor and status (which I was always worried about how I merited this).

But one thing I fear may be lost among the statements shared about him was his great sense of humor. He was a lot of fun and would often share a good joke! Once, when I bought a sarangi, he asked me why I did that. I told him I found one for a good price. He said “Man, there must be something wrong with you!” I laughed until I could barely breath. He and I shared many light hearted moments.   He was a friend and teacher; a man of immense spiritual knowledge and authority who commanded great respect, and who was nonetheless humble, charitable, and filled with love and good humor.

Many people talk about being spiritual. Some cast derision on people who fake it for gain. Some search and search for it. Imam Salihou was the real thing; he was absolutely authentic, and exemplary as a real spiritual leader. To him, all men and women were his brother and sister. His heart was full of compassion. And a no one could ask for a better friend.   I haven’t the nerve to say what Allah will or will not do. But if Allah welcomes him among the ranks of the elite on the Day of Judgement, it will not surprise me in the least.

I salute him, and thank Allah for his life.