Two sides face off over hookah bars; new rules go into effect

SEATTLE — From the start, the signs were obvious: The issue of hookah bars in Seattle has become divisive.

"Seattle City Council must pass law barring hookah bars for many reasons," said Imam Abdirizaq Goni of the Abu-Bakr Islamic Center of Seattle.  "Health issue, safety and security issue, violence issue."

"Also I want to make clear, said Ubah Warsame, a health worker at the Somali Health Board. "Hookah has no place in our culture, in our values, our religion."

And there were plenty of people on the other side, too.

"No difference between us and a coffee shop, Starbucks or a local bar," countered Saed Amoura, owner of the Seattle Hookah Bar. "You will come there to gather, meet friends, talk about the community news."

"The mayor has publicly blamed an entire class of small, largely Middle Eastern and East African-owned businesses as the root causes of the violence," said Henry Luke of Seattle.

The shooting death three weeks ago of Chinatown icon Donnie Chin near King's Hookah lounge in the International District raised the profile of the bars and the violence some say they attract.

On Sunday, new rules went into effect allowing the city to shut down the bars if they violate, among other things, the ban on smoking where people work.

Afterward, as one side tried to gather for an impromptu news conference, those on the other side stood among them.

"There's a strong sentiment when it comes to this discussion and within the community," conceded Dr. Ahmed Ali, a pharmacist for the Somali Health Board.

Mayor Ed Murray has pledged to shut down the bars.  It appears he has the support of many members of this community to do just that.

According to city officials, since this is a code enforcement issue, the city will inspect the hookah lounges and investigate complaints.

If violations are found, the business will be cited.  And that could ultimately lead to the business being shut down.

KIRO