So today, I was eating in my favorite Lebanese restaurant, just thinking over some things. One thing that I decided was to try patronizing Muslim owned establishments as much as possible. I would encourage others to do the same. Your likely to get ethnic food at a good price. If you’re not in a Muslim country, isn’t it worth it to go the extra mile for another Muslim by giving them your business and strengthening the community?
Besides, where else can you get zabihah meat? 
Re: Muslims First
Closest pakistani/muslim restaurant to me is about 30-35 minutes away.
Re: Muslims First
Good thinking…
But we Muslims are failures because we try to be politically correct and do what is right…In the end we end up hurting our own brothers an sisters…
Example: In a Jewsih neighbourhood, a Muslim would open a store…The correct action being a Muslim would be to support the Muslim brother…
But, in our image consciousness, we would go to the Jewish stores, because in our minds we would be unfair to the Jewish owners…That guilt will lead us to ship at Jewish stores…
Jews and Christians on the other hand will claim you as your blood brother and testify brotherhood till death…But in the end, will always support their own kind…
So, we need to get rid of this blanket of guilt and shame and proudly and without hesitation, adamantly support our brothers and sisters…
And after my response, you can expect the inane responses such as, what if the Muslim is a cheater, what if the Muslim is a hoarder and this and that…
Well, in that case you follow your conscience…But, until then, support your people’s businesses…
Re: Muslims First
I try as much as possible, no matter where I am, muslim and/or Pakistani. I spent one and half year in Kosovo and I used to go to a Turkish Resturant for lunch almost every day. Other than trying a few other places, let me say 85-90% of the time, I ate at that Turkish resturant. And not only food even for other matters, I try to support as much as I can!
Re: Muslims First
But we Muslims are failures because we try to be politically correct and do what is right...In the end we end up hurting our own brothers an sisters...
Example: In a Jewsih neighbourhood, a Muslim would open a store...The correct action being a Muslim would be to support the Muslim brother...
But, in our image consciousness, we would go to the Jewish stores, because in our minds we would be unfair to the Jewish owners...That guilt will lead us to ship at Jewish stores...
Jews and Christians on the other hand will claim you as your blood brother and testify brotherhood till death...But in the end, will always support their own kind...
So, we need to get rid of this blanket of guilt and shame and proudly and without hesitation, adamantly support our brothers and sisters...
And after my response, you can expect the inane responses such as, what if the Muslim is a cheater, what if the Muslim is a hoarder and this and that...
Well, in that case you follow your conscience...But, until then, support your people's businesses...
Agreed. I mean we should get real, if you need to make excuses not go to a Muslim establishment then your only lying to yourself. If one is cheater then find another place..If all Muslims are theives, cheaters etc then why even bother with religion?..ok I am being rude here.
I don't care for political correctness because those airline screeners sure dont care, those politicians labelling us terrorists dont care. I may be a sinner but the nafs is still alive and kicking.
Oh yea, the aforementioned restaurant is 20 minutes away from my house. If I can go 25 minutes to pray in the house of Allah, I sure can eat at a brothers restaurant.
Re: Muslims First
Excellent! If your in NYC, then you have it made. I remember driving down with Muslims friends on thanksgiving and hitting up the halaal chicken guy at 2AM! Back to the point, we should make a concious effort to do this. Ma'shallah Muslims can be found in every corner of the earth.
Re: Muslims First
Strange. These problems seem so wierd to me... Im surrounded by "muslim restaurants", and even if you told me I couldnt eat anywhere but Pakistani restaurant because thats the food I love. :D
Re: Muslims First
I understand that we must support out brothers and sisters by eating at their establishments but the fact is....most of the halal restaurants arent even half as good as the non-halal restaurants. Oh and lets not forget the halal meat markets....their meat is awful. I have yet to find a Muslim butcher who knows how to cut the meat properly. I can never seem to find a decent looking/tasting steak. Ive been buying/eating meat from halal meat markets all my life....but i have my eye on the kosher deli's and meats for some time now. :D
Cleanliness.....another issue. American grocery stores look good...everything is neat and clean. Then you go into a halal meat market and it smells of raw meat!! Our muslim brothers and sisters sure make it difficult for us to support them when they dont even make an effort to compete with other non-muslim establishments.