Masjid At-Tawhid, the mosque from which Khan operates, is affiliated with the Nation of Islam – a controversial group whose ideology is considered extreme by many in the American Muslim community. 

The mosque flies a Palestinian flag outside and maintains a private security team, reportedly dressed in uniforms resembling Houston police officers.

Khan himself is visually identifiable by his bright red-orange henna-dyed beard, a style often associated as a marker of strict Sharia adherence. 

According to critics, his appearance and rhetoric mirror tactics used by militant figures abroad to enforce religious orthodoxy.

The footage has revived debate in Texas political and media circles over whether hardline religious movements are attempting to build ‘parallel societies’ in American cities.

Others accused the imam of attempting to enforce a religious code of conduct in violation of American values and legal norms.

‘With these posts in public, this guy will draw negative attention to Muslims here. I 100% understand what he’s doing but this is Texas in America, where everyone is free to do what they want,’ posted one user online.

‘In Islam, it is not appropriate for a sheikh or anyone to threaten a store owner over alcohol sales, especially if the store is legal and the action may cause harm,’ added another. 

‘The Islamic way is to advise gently, wisely, and without force or threats – and always to avoid causing greater harm than the evil you’re trying to stop.’

A Houston-area imam has sparked both outrage and concern after launching a campaign to pressure Muslim-owned stores to stop selling pork, alcohol, and lottery tickets.

The campaign, led by Imam F. Qasim ibn Ali Khan of Masjid At-Tawhid, was captured in a viral video showing him confronting a store employee and accusing the business of selling ‘haram’ products forbidden under Islamic law. 

Khan, who leads a Nation of Islam-affiliated mosque warns business owners they will face boycotts and public protests if they refuse to comply.

He says a nationwide protest movement is set to begin specifically targeting Muslim businesses that violate Islamic teachings.

‘We’re kicking off a national protest and demonstration campaign against all Muslim businesses that have haram in their stores,’ Khan says in the video, prompting critics to accuse him of importing ‘Sharia patrol’ tactics to Texas.

In several videos posted to Khan’s TikTok and his 17,000 followers Khan is seen confronting an employee at a Muslim-owned store, warning how the business is violating Islamic law by selling ‘haram’ goods – items forbidden in Islam.

‘This is the beginning of the campaign. We’re serving notice to America and the world that enough is enough,’ Khan says in the video. 

‘The people that call themselves Muslims should not be selling haram in their stores… Pork, alcohol, and gambling need to stop.’

AI Overview

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An individual named Khan has initiated a campaign in Texas targeting Muslim-owned businesses that sell products forbidden (haram) in Islam, such as alcohol, pork, and lottery tickets

. The campaign has prompted controversy and accusations of importing “Sharia patrol” tactics to the state. 

Overview of the campaign

• Organizer: A cleric identified as Khan from the Houston area appears to be the leader, organizing the campaign and using platforms like TikTok to confront business owners. While some videos on Facebook identify the leader as an unnamed imam, the campaign’s methods and goals align with reports about Khan.
• Methods: In videos shared on TikTok, Khan is seen confronting employees at Muslim-owned stores and issuing a “notice” that the businesses are violating Islamic law.
• Demands: Khan has warned that demonstrations will be organized if these businesses do not remove haram goods from their inventory.
• Reasoning: In one video, Khan states, “The people that call themselves Muslims should not be selling haram in their stores… Pork, alcohol, and gambling need to stop”. 

Related controversies and political response

• Governor’s reaction: On September 9, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on social media that he signed laws to ban Sharia law and “Sharia compounds” in Texas. Abbott’s statement was a direct reaction to a video of Khan’s protest. He further instructed citizens to report any attempts to impose Sharia compliance to local law enforcement.
• Accusations of “Sharia patrol”: Critics have accused Khan of importing “Sharia patrol” tactics to Texas. This phrase describes groups in other countries that attempt to enforce Islamic law on local populations.
• Hate crime history: Tensions around these issues exist within a broader context of Islamophobia and targeted violence in Texas. In 2024, a Dallas man was sentenced to 37 years in prison for a hate-fueled killing at a Muslim-owned business. In 2025, Texas also saw increased vandalism at mosques and other anti-Muslim incidents. 

Broader context and differing views

• Other campaigns: Similar campaigns involving imams visiting Muslim business owners to address the sale of haram goods have also been documented on Facebook.
• Disagreement over methods: While some Muslims agree that selling haram products is wrong, not all support Khan’s confrontational methods. Some social media commentators argue that education or alternative economic support would be a better way to help struggling businesses.
• Freedom of religion and commerce: The Texas governor and other political figures have emphasized that no individual should fear attempts to impose religious compliance and that laws protect the rights of businesses to operate.