Houston: A Sufi Night Turned Sour Pakistani-American Police Chief Punched Over a Chair Dispute
Community Event Turns Chaotic as Witness Testimony Alters the Narrative; Police Chief Muzaffar Siddiqi Injured
By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
Houston: What began as a serene evening filled with the soulful rhythms of Qawwali quickly turned into a scene of unexpected commotion during a prominent community gathering in Houston. The event, hosted by well-known promoter Rehan Siddiqi, drew notable figures from the Pakistani-American community for what was expected to be a spiritually uplifting night.
However, the event took a dramatic turn when Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Police Chief Muzaffar Siddiqi a respected law enforcement officer and a distinguished member of the community temporarily left his seat during the performance. Upon returning, he found a young man occupying his chair.
Witnesses report that Chief Siddiqi asked the young man to vacate the seat, but the situation quickly escalated from a verbal exchange to insults and eventually physical assault. The young man unexpectedly punched Chief Siddiqi in the face, causing visible injuries. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where he received treatment for bruises to his face and one eye. The incident was partially captured in video clips obtained by Jago Times.
The situation took a surprising twist when former MQM MPA, who was present at the event, gave a statement to police claiming that “the altercation was initiated by Chief Siddiqi himself.” Acting on her testimony, the Houston Police Department chose not to detain the assailant. Instead, the young man left the venue freely, reportedly hurling verbal abuse as he departed.
Sources indicate that the attacker is a member of Houston’s Memon community. In the video footage received by Jago Times, the heated exchange is visible, followed by the attack, after which host Rehan Siddiqi is seen calmly escorting the young man out of the hall.
In response to the incident, Chief Muzaffar Siddiqi has denied the allegations made by Ex MPA, stating, “Her statement is completely false and driven by personal bias.” He added that he is consulting legal counsel and plans to file a formal lawsuit against the assailant.
This incident has sparked widespread debate within the Pakistani-American community. At the heart of the discussion lies the reputation of a senior police officer, conflicting witness testimony, and a silence more powerful than the blow itself a silence that began with a chair and may end in a courtroom.
As the community grapples with the fallout, one question echoes through Houston’s air: In this battle over a chair, who will ultimately take a seat on the chair of justice?
