Editorially modified portraits based on an archival founders photograph
01 — OUR LEGACY
01 / THE FOUNDING VISIONNew York & beyond
More than an event.
An idea born from faith, friendship, and a commitment to supporting one another.
Imam Aiyub Abdul Baki, Musa Abdul Rahman, and Abdallah Muhammad brought their experience in community service, Islamic education, and business together to establish The Islamic Expo.
They envisioned a place where Muslim-owned businesses could meet the people they served, and where the community could find knowledge, fellowship, and opportunity in one gathering.
History shared by original founder Abdallah Muhammad.
02 / THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERSThree distinct contributions · One shared purpose
The people who made it possible.
01 / IMAM AIYUB ABDUL BAKI
FOUNDER / FAITH & COMMUNITY
Imam Aiyub Abdul Baki
A spiritual guide and community leader.
As Imam of the Tauhid Center for Islamic Development in Queens, New York, Imam Aiyub helped cultivate a space for Islamic learning, dawah, community support, and temporary refuge.
According to fellow founder Abdallah Muhammad, the center supported neighborhood improvement and sponsored Islamic gatherings. For the Expo, Imam Aiyub connected with imams and helped organize lectures, workshops, and security.
02 / MUSA ABDUL RAHMAN
FOUNDER / KNOWLEDGE & ENTERPRISE
Musa Abdul Rahman
Bringing books, business, and community together.
Owner of As-Suq Bookstore in Brooklyn, Musa Abdul Rahman helped make Islamic books, cultural items, and dawah materials available to the community.
He brought his experience as a vendor at Islamic gatherings to the Expo, helped recruit participating vendors, and collected vendor fees. His bookstore was remembered as an important source of Islamic knowledge and cultural resources.
03 / ABDALLAH MUHAMMAD
FOUNDER / CONNECTION & ORGANIZATION
Abdallah Muhammad
Making Muslim businesses easier to discover and support.
Founder of The Muslim Green Pages, a directory connecting Muslim-owned businesses across the East Coast, Abdallah Muhammad brought established business relationships and marketing experience to the Expo.
With two marketing degrees from City Tech and leadership experience as Chairman of Students of CUNY and a CUNY trustee, he helped arrange Expo venues through CUNY connections and coordinate advertising.
03 / FROM THE ARCHIVESEvidence of a shared effort
THE MUSLIM GREEN PAGES / HISTORICAL DISPLAY
A DIRECTORY WITH A PURPOSE
Know where to support.
Through The Muslim Green Pages, Abdallah Muhammad worked to make Muslim-owned businesses more visible to their neighbors and to communities across the East Coast.
The Expo extended that idea into a shared space: businesses could meet customers, and visitors could discover resources and build relationships.
04 / A COMMUNITY IMPACTRecollections of the Expo
What remained after the gathering.
01
Mutual support
Connecting visitors with Muslim-owned businesses and encouraging local economic support.
02
Shared knowledge
Bringing together imams, lecturers, vendors, and families across communities.
03
Belonging
Creating joyful occasions for families, learning, and encounters across different Muslim communities.
“We just wanted to bring together Muslim businesses and let the Islamic community know where to shop and support.”— Abdallah Muhammad, original founder
05 / DEDICATED COMMITTEE LEADERSHIPRecognition beyond the founding team
A CONSTANT PRESENCE
Isa Ali Avery
Longstanding Expo committee member
Though not one of the original founders, Isa Ali Avery was an active committee member who, according to Abdallah Muhammad, was present at every Expo event.
Working in a New York City business-related role, he shared knowledge about business requirements and helped Muslim business owners understand the importance of meeting city specifications.
At the Expo, he supported event operations by overseeing entrances and doors. His consistent participation deserves recognition as part of the event's legacy.
ISA ALI AVERY / DEDICATED COMMITTEE MEMBER
THE LEGACY CONTINUES
What they began still inspires.
The Islamic Expo revival looks to the spirit of its founders and dedicated committee members: knowledge shared, businesses supported, and a community brought together.
Historical accounts are based on recollections provided by Abdallah Muhammad. The editorial portraits have digitally modified backgrounds; original photographs are preserved separately.
