Palestinian Community Celebrates UFC Champion With Parade And Rally

BRIDGEVIEW, IL — South Side native and UFC welterweight champion Belal “Remember the Name” Muhammad got a hero’s welcome Sunday afternoon from Bridgeview’s Little Palestone. The mixed martial artist who grew up in Englewood, became the first Palestinian to win a UFC world championship last month in Manchester, England.

During a week when an airstrike killed 93 displaced Palestinian civilians in Gaza sheltering in a mosque and school, the championship gave the 1,000 supporters who came from throughout the Chicago area a chance to celebrate a win for Palestinian world. To the Palestinian community, it was akin to the Cubs and Sox winning the World Series, or the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Bears.

“We just want to show our kids there’s a bigger life and more to life than what’s going on overseas,” said Rami, of Oak Lawn, who brought his 7-year-old son Ahmad.

Nael Abuobeid, of Homer Glen, said his cousin Muhammad’s win gives the younger kids something to be happy about for a change.

“It gets our minds off the killing and genocide back home, a little bit but not a lot,” Abuobeid told Patch. “It gives the younger kids motivation and hope.”

South Side native and UFC champ Belal "Bully B" arrives in Little Palestine for a victory rally. Courtesy of De. Sabha Abour

Bridgeview resident Dana Dinean, introduced his son, Dimo, 14, as a future UFC champion, who has been training in a UFC gym.

“It’s a great thing when one of our own has advanced and became a champion,” Dinean said. “It’s positive.”

Mervat Khader, of Chicago, waited in front of the stage in the parking lot of the former JSByrider with her children for Muammad’s victory procession down Harlem Avenue. Khader told Patch that Muhammad was someone her kids could look up to.

“My son loves him. We watched Belal’s match and it was like we were there in the ring with him,” Khader said, who is of Palestinian and Syrian descent. “People are aware now, we’re making headlines and getting the respect we deserve in the field of sports.”

Muhammad, who at 36 is considered an "old man" in the UFC world, arrived riding the back of a Corvette convertible hoisting his world championship belt, with a motorcycle escort and a joyful and lively Zaffa procession.

“Belal is doing this for his people, there’s a reason why he says ‘remember the name,’” said Bridgeview Tr. Kalid Baste, a product of Little Palestine in Brigeview since 1985, told gathering of supporters, interspersed with the occasional cries of “Free Palestine.”

“We have the first Palestinian American state rep, the first trustee in Bridgeview and the first UFC champion, again the first of many things to come all in favor of Palestine.”

The night of July 27, when Muhammad beat opponent Leon Edwards, Cook County Judge Rouhy Shalbi said that Palestinans around the world went to sleep with a big smile on their face thanks to Balel’s dramatic win.

“Thanks to Belal we became champions that day,” Shalbi said. “Our world is facing a devastating situation. Belal is a source of light at this very hard time. He has made us so proud and given us hope, inspiration and confidence.”

Fans and supporters waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Bully B” when Muhammad took the stage.

“The first goal of mine was to have that [Palestine] flag have a world champion. The second goal when I see that flag they can say is the best fighter to ever do it,” the Bogan High School graduate told the cheering crowd. “You’re feeling guilty right now because you’re celebrating a victory you had when your people are suffering. This is just a reminder for me to keep being a voice, and I can’t put my head down and hide. Whenever I get the chance to give them a voice and wave the flag.”