By Ahmed Sharma
SAN ANTONIO — When Turajii Shakoor came to San Antonio in 1993, she did not anticipate all the blessings that would come her way. Looking back though, the entrepreneur claims despite being a Black Muslim woman, there was no doubt in her mind that things would work out in her favor as long as she had faith.
“This might sound so cliche, but I’m gonna be honest. I never thought of how I would do anything. My dependence was solely on Allah.” said Shakoor. “All my life, every trial and tribulation I have been through, I knew Allah was in control and I let him work and I just followed the path.”
Before she arrived in San Antonio, Shakoor was living On the East Coast of the United States. Unfortunately, Shakoor was trapped in a severely abusive relationship and needed to escape with her children. She remembered when she visited San Antonio some years back, how picturesque the city was.
“It was one of those, the grass is greener on the other side and I thought for me and my children, the city would treat us better,” she said.
Additionally, Shakoor explained, the residents were even nicer, which caught her by surprise.
“People would tell me ‘Good morning’ and I’d go, ‘What is that supposed to mean?!’ You know? I just couldn’t believe how nice people in Texas were.”
She was relieved when she finally made it to San Antonio. But due to her intense situation, she had nowhere to go. However, she found solace at her place of worship.
“We were absolutely homeless, but we were also Muslim, so we attended our masjid (mosque) and at that point, we had to find ways to survive until I found a job.” she explained. “So I started taking fabric [and] making hijabs (headscarves) and dresses… and selling them at different masjids.”
With some assistance of her young children, Shakoor began a small business in her car until she was able to showcase her products through flea markets.
“We started in the backseat of my car and from there we winded up getting into different little events in the area, and from there we actually got a little spot starting in Eisenhauer Flea Market,” she said.
Seven years went by until a miracle happened. Shakoor married one of her closest childhood friends and in 2005, he surprised her with the keys to her own store to operate her business.
“One day [my husband] asked me would I help him clean up this location, and after we finished cleaning, he said ‘here’… It was like the biggest shock and joy of my life. I never in my life thought I would have my own store because everything I was doing was a means of survival.”
Located on Evers Rd, Shakoor’s store, The Sunnah The Better, has remained ever since, but is easy to miss. However, to this day, Shakoor’s store is known for more than just selling international Islamic gifts like prayer mats and clothes. Frankly though, Shakoor is the store in the sense that her work in the Muslim community has garnered respect and admiration from people from all walks of life.
She explained, “I noticed a tremendous amount of activity that were not in play for Muslim children or women. The man had their coffee, tea [hangouts]… so I made it my business to start different activities and programs throughout all of the masjids (not just one).”
“Then I began to be somewhat of a leader in the community, as far as different situations that took place and how we approach them… to open a broader understanding.”
Though Shakoor is a Muslim and runs an Islamic store, non-Muslims are always welcome to come.
“This is not just an Islamic gift shop. We are international. A woman came in recently (non-Muslim) and she was so nervous at first, but I guess she was so taken aback by how I didn’t treat her like a customer, I treated her like a person. So she said to me, ‘I’m gonna come back here.’ And that just warmed my heart.”
On the other hand, Shakoor often faces backlash from immigrants from the Muslim world because of her race and gender.
“When I opened up the store, they would say things like, ‘Sister, why do you have this store open? There should be a man running this store. You shouldn’t be here.'”
Luckily, Shakoor is not one to remain silent in the face of adversity and does so with class and patience.
“I have to remind them of the story of the prophet Muhammad’s wife, Khadijah, who had her own business,” she said.
Lamentably, these instances happened many times, and often still happen, Shakoor clarified.
“Cause I’m a Black, Muslim Woman.”
Despite these backlashes by immigrants from the Muslim world, Shakoor claims it does not bother her as much. Moreover, she asserted, the ideas they bring from their respective countries do not represent Islam in America.
“It’s [just] culture,” she said. “You know, it’s one thing to be a Muslim and practice upon the teachings of the Qur’an… and it’s one thing to interject your culture where it has no space.”
Shakoor’s confidence and steadfast approach with Islam caught the attention of ABC Studios, where she became the Islamic Technical Consultant for their show, American Crime. From there, she worked closely and befriended Oscar winner, Regina King and the show’s creator, John Ridley.
She explained, “They were just looking for someone to work with this actress… and when Regina King and I met each other, we became friends quickly. She asked what the character of a Muslim was like, and I told her the character was someone very humble, very peaceful, and she saw that [in me].”
As a result, King received two Emmy awards (both in 2015 and 2016) for her performance as a Muslim convert in the show, American Crime.
“It’s your true understanding of Islam. You can tell the difference between someone who is not really practicing Islam and one who really IS practicing and I guess she felt that, because it was real.”
When asked how Shakoor balanced all her work, she replied humbly, “Honestly, it’s all the will of Allah.”
“For me, when I put Allah and Islam first, things will just fall into place.”
She also extended gratitude to her family, friends and all the masjids and Muslims of San Antonio; especially Masjid Bilal ibn Rabah.
Shakoor concluded by explaining how Muslims are not monolithic and she hopes more Muslims will be less apprehensive to live their lives.
“I want to leave this interview with saying that there is more value in [Muslims] promoting who we are instead of just saying and defending who we are not,” she said.
Certainly, Shakoor’s story serves as an inspiration for many: aspiring business owners, women, people of color and Muslims. Like her store, Shakoor is one of San Antonio’s hidden gems that for more than 25 years has helped make this city shine brightly.
To learn more about Shakoor’s store, The Sunnah The Better including activities and upcoming events, visit their website.
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff or submitting a story
