Galveston restaurant owner closing business due to 'death threats,' anti-Muslim harassment, he says

>>Click to see Houston-Galveston restaurants that already closed for good this year. The owner of ZaZa Bar & Bites said he is closing his establishment because of anti-Muslim harassment. >>Click to see Houston-Galveston restaurants that already closed for good this year. The owner of ZaZa Bar & Bites said he is closing his establishment because of anti-Muslim harassment. Photo: GoogleMaps Photo: GoogleMaps Image 1 of / 54 Caption Close Galveston restaurant owner closing business due to 'death threats,' anti-Muslim harassment, he says 1 / 54 Back to Gallery

A Galveston restaurant launched by a Muslim business owner is shutting down following months of alleged harassment.

Late last year, Asad Khan said he arrived at his island establishment ZaZa Bar & Bites to find the front of the business was covered in bacon and bacon grease. Khan, who immigrated to the U.S. from Pakistan in 1993, is Muslim. It's common practice for Muslims to abstain from pork.

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He filed a report with the Galveston police immediately following the incident. Since the vandalism, he said the harassment intensified.

Khan explained that he ultimately made the difficult decision to shut down his restaurant.

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"I shut ZaZa down because of death threats towards me via phone calls," Khan said. "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."

Some people on social media have accused Khan of fabricating the story. He refutes allegations that financial troubles are the actual the reason for the shutter, adding that this business was not his sole source of income.

"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 said. "It's easier to blame the victim than accept we have a problem."

The closing comes at the peak of Galveston's tourism season.

"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," he said. "People want me dead because of me being a Muslim. I am honestly sick to my stomach. And frankly, fearful."