"K-Day"; The Day That Changed Los Angeles: A Commentary

Los Angeles, CA: Masjid Ibaadillah, 1992. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Wraps. Good. [4], 35, [1] pages. Cover has some wear and soiling. Stamp on back cover. The author states that "This Commentary is intentionally not focused on either religion or politics. It has been written as a matter of conscious and from a need to provide insight into a basic problem that is affecting our entire society. It is also meant for people of all races, creeds and colors." In 1985, led by Imam Saadiq Saafir, a group of families began meeting in a basement to practice their faith. In 1986, Masjid Ibaadillah was officially founded when those families purchased a storefront on W. Jefferson Blvd. Years later as the community grew an adjacent building was purchased. Today that storefront mosque still acts as a beacon of light amidst the drug infestation and prostitution that plague the area. Between 1986 and 2004 Masjid Ibaadillah provided Islamic studies classes, established programs that fed the homeless, held interfaith events, prison outreach programs, entrepreneurial groups and more. In addition, the ILM foundation was founded by Imam Saadiq in 1998 with meager resources. It has grown into a global organization hosting Humanitarian Day events in cities across the country and internationally as well. In 2007, Imam Saadiq's son, Jihad Saafir, became the Imam. Since 1965 when the immigration laws were liberalized, Los Angeles has emerged as a major center of the Korean American community. Its "Koreatown" is often seen as the "overseas Korean capital." Many have been entrepreneurs, opening shops and small factories. Koreatown experienced rapid transition in the 1990s, with heavy investment by Korean banks and corporations, and the arrival of tens of thousands of Koreans, as well as even larger numbers of Hispanic workers. Many entrepreneurs opened small businesses, and were hard hit by the 1992 Los Angeles riots.