Asad teaches inner-city youths "God don’t make junk"

by Karen Harris Brooks
For New Pittsburgh Courier

Passionate about his life and his lifestyle, Abdullah Ameen Asad describes himself as "a man for all seasons."

He’s a Pittsburgh treasure that has touched many young lives, yet few Pittsburghers are aware of his amazing
accomplishments.

A professor of martial arts who is known for his compassion for young people, Asad reaches deep into the inner spirit of
his pupils, encouraging and bringing out a confidence level that has no limit. He always assures them saying, "God don’t
make no junk."

Reaching out to the community at large, he hopes to change both the educational and physical attitude of each student,
thereby enabling one to act with a practical and effective, self-defense technique in a thinking manner versus fear or
panic.

Students of Asad greet challenges with anticipation and confidence as they strive to develop mind, spirit and body.

"Newly acquired abilities in the martial arts," states the grandmaster, "enables one to reach new goals in the attainment
of self-awareness, maturity and individuality."

His extensive martial arts credentials include 10th degree black belt in the Japanese arts of jiujitsu and karate, a black
belt master of the 6th degree in aikido and a foreign and domestic weapons master. Asad is also a certified ninja.

His resume includes induction into the National Federation of Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1989, in which his title also
included man of the year and instructor of the year. Other awards include the most outstanding male grandmaster
instructor of the year during his induction into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Superstar Hall of
Fame in 1999.

Asad’s love for martial arts began in the fifth grade when he "just got sick and tired of the bullies," he explains.

Since then, he has accumulated more than 50 years of self-defense training.
Throughout his U.S. Marine Corps career, the Vietnam combat staff sergeant continued to study in Japan, Okinawa,
Korea and China.

The energetic grandmaster also has more than 30 years experience in law enforcement. As a lieutenant with the
University of Pittsburgh police force in the 1970s, he was able to combine his love and skill for police work and martial
arts. That combination of passion and ability has taken Asad onto unknown career paths, including a stint as a state
certified instructor in the training of law enforcement officers.

"I never had to use my martial arts training while performing police duties," he says, "because I am a very good
communicator and I carry myself in a very professional manner," gifts he credits to his Islamic background. "I know who I
am and I don’t let the situation control me."

Asad’s educational background includes classes at Carnegie Mellon University, the Federal Law Enforcement Training
Center, Allegheny County Police Academy, Shippensburg State University and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

His resume includes assigned duties with the FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. A certified EMT, as well
as surgical technologist, the martial arts expert is also a firearms range instructor and a distinguished firearms expert.

Lorraine Badgett, who began as a student at the Golden Dragon, is now a publicist and assistant director for Frazier
House, Inc., a venture of Asad’s that is in the final planning phase. Frazier House, a non-profit educational facility, will
offer cultural, educational and physical training, with an emphasis on self-pride and self-esteem.

As in his training to others, Asad sets no limits in his own life. Currently, the owner of Protector Detective Agency, the
licensed private investigator continues to use the skill and training he has obtained throughout his life.

Over the last 32 years, he has served as the owner and director of the Golden Dragon Bushido Dojo of Self Defense,
which contracts out to organizations throughout the Pittsburgh area, including branches of the YMCA, local churches,
community centers, Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs and the University of Pittsburgh.

The Golden Dragon offers martial arts, self-defense, and personal safety classes for youths, adults, visually impaired
students and students with other special needs.

Complete safety programs are available for the entire family also. Through his classes, Asad promises mind, body and
spiritual unification "through good health, nutrition and understanding of the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse,"
he says.

The basic self-defense techniques, the grandmaster states, "will develop self-confidence, self-discipline, self-esteem
and self-control, while developing balance, agility, dexterity, poise and coordination."

(Call The Golden Dragon Bushido Dojo of Self-Defense at 412-681-2014 for more information.)
Grand Master Asad receiving award at

Master Bill Kelley's 2007 Tournament