"These haircuts make a difference:" Members of Muslim group offer free haircuts to homeless in Milwaukee



MILWAUKEE -- In the wake of unspeakable violence last week in San Bernardino, California -- in Milwaukee on Sunday, December 6th, a show of compassion. A Milwaukee Muslim group has been inspired by their faith to lift up others. They say in this effort, they're cutting away misconceptions.

Aamer Ahmed



With each free haircut provided on Sunday, those with the Muslim non-profit group "Ma'ruf" hoped to also cut away negative perceptions of their faith.

"We've been doing this type of work for decades -- and maybe now is a time to start showing and displaying the work that we do," Aamer Ahmed said.

A holiday gift of haircuts for the homeless at Milwaukee's Guest House Sunday offered a stark contrast to the recent deadly attacks in San Bernardino on December 2nd, and in Paris on November 13th.

Guest House Milwaukee



Ma'ruf's president says giving back, like his group was doing Sunday, is truly what being Muslim in America is about.

"We see groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda -- not just fringe elements, but not even within the fold of Islam. We don't even consider these Muslim groups, period,"

Gee's Clippers



"These haircuts make a difference to some people. They're gonna in turn, go out, look for work, get a job," a man named Marco said.

Marco has been staying at the Guest House since July.

He said the haircut he received was just the boost he needed with the holidays around the corner.

"It just brings sadness around this time of year and that's just the awful truth. So you know, for me, the holidays bring a little bit of cheer and a little bit of sadness," Marco said.

Salmon Crawley is a barber for Gee's Clippers and a member of Ma'ruf.

He said the haircuts were offered up as a gift to the marginalized from members of a group that feel misunderstood.

Gee's Clippers



"We're all human beings, at the end of the day, and hate is wrong no matter who it's coming from, or who it's directed to. Violence is wrong no matter who it's coming from or who it's directed to," Crawley said.

Ma'ruf partnered with Gee's Clippers for the free haircuts.

Ma'ruf's president says they see a similarity between the needs for the homeless in our city, and the needs of Syrian refugees abroad.