Zeitoun

1. A Family Forged by Faith and Resilience

To see the two of them now, to stand back and assess what they’d built—a sprawling family, a business of distinct success, and to be woven so thoroughly into the fabric of their adopted city that they had friends in every neighborhood, clients on almost any block they passed—these were all blessings from God.

Syrian Roots. Abdulrahman Zeitoun, an eighth-born of thirteen children from Jableh, Syria, grew up with a deep connection to the sea and a strong work ethic, learning numerous trades. His father, Mahmoud, a legendary sailor who survived epic trials, eventually forbade his children from the sea, wanting them to pursue education and stable professions, though many, including Abdulrahman, found their way back to maritime life. Abdulrahman's older brother, Ahmad, a ship captain, became his hero and mentor, introducing him to a life of travel and freedom that eventually led him to the United States.

Kathy's Journey. Kathy, a Southern Baptist from Baton Rouge, converted to Islam after a period of personal struggle and disillusionment with her previous faith, finding peace and dignity in its teachings. She met Abdulrahman, thirteen years her senior, through mutual friends, initially hesitant due to his conservative nature and age, but ultimately drawn to his honesty, devotion, and discerning eyes. Their marriage, though marked by spirited "fussin'," was built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to family and faith, with Abdulrahman embracing Kathy's son, Zachary, from her first marriage.

Building a Life. Together, Abdulrahman and Kathy built Zeitoun A. Painting Contractor LLC into a thriving business in New Orleans, known for its distinctive rainbow logo and their unwavering reliability. Kathy managed the office, while Abdulrahman oversaw the building and painting crews, employing a diverse group of workers from various countries. They also acquired six rental properties, becoming deeply integrated into the city's fabric, raising their four children—Zachary, Nademah, Aisha, and Safiya—with a blend of Syrian tradition and American opportunity.

2. A Stubborn Stand Against the Storm

“I have to watch the house,” he said. “The other houses. One small hole in the roof—if I fix it, no damage. If not, the whole house is wrecked.”

Katrina Approaches. As Hurricane Katrina intensified, escalating from a tropical storm to a Category 5, New Orleans faced unprecedented warnings, including a mandatory evacuation order from Mayor Nagin. Kathy, recalling past hurricane routines and the dire predictions, urged Abdulrahman to leave with her and the children, who were heading to her brother's house in Baton Rouge. However, Abdulrahman, accustomed to weathering storms and driven by a deep sense of responsibility, refused to abandon his properties and clients.

Duty Over Safety. Abdulrahman's decision to stay stemmed from his unwavering commitment to his business and the city he had adopted. He felt a profound duty to protect his home, their rental properties, and the job sites where his equipment was stored, believing that his presence could prevent catastrophic damage. He had keys to dozens of clients' homes, entrusted with their care, and felt he could not simply walk away, even as thousands fled.

Family's Departure. Kathy, though exasperated by his stubbornness, understood his resolve, having witnessed his unwavering dedication for years. She packed the minivan with the children and their dog, Mekay, embarking on a chaotic, traffic-snarled journey to Baton Rouge, leaving Abdulrahman alone in the path of the impending hurricane. Their parting was emotional, with Kathy fearing the unknown dangers her husband would face, while Abdulrahman remained confident in his ability to manage the storm's aftermath.

3. The City Drowns, a Hero Emerges

At that moment, Zeitoun knew that the levees had been overtopped or compromised. There could be no doubt. The city would soon be underwater.

Levees Fail. Abdulrahman initially weathered Katrina with minimal damage to his home, sleeping through the worst of the winds. However, on Tuesday, August 30, he awoke to the horrifying reality of widespread flooding, realizing the city's levees had breached. The water, clear and green like lake water, rapidly engulfed his neighborhood, rising to nine feet in his house, confirming his worst fears about the storm's true devastation.

Resourceful Response. Faced with the rising waters, Abdulrahman calmly and methodically moved all valuables to the second floor of his home, saving electronics, books, and furniture. He even released his pet fish into the floodwaters, giving them a chance at survival. His most crucial tool became the secondhand aluminum canoe he had bought years prior, which Kathy had initially mocked but now proved invaluable for navigating the submerged city.

An Explorer's Spirit. With his home secured and the water stabilized, Abdulrahman felt a strange sense of peace and purpose. He embarked on solo canoe expeditions, becoming an explorer in a new, uncharted world. He paddled over submerged cars and streets, observing the surreal landscape of his drowned city, driven by a desire to witness the unfolding disaster firsthand and to offer help where he could.

4. Acts of Kindness in a Drowned City

He was finding so many things—bottled water, MREs, canned food—and whenever he saw anyone, he gave them whatever was in his canoe.

Rescuing the Vulnerable. Abdulrahman's canoe became a vessel of mercy in the flooded city. He rescued an elderly woman clinging to a bookshelf in her one-story home, and with the help of passing fishermen, transported her and other elderly couples to safety. He also encountered and fed numerous abandoned dogs, using meat from his freezer, demonstrating profound compassion for the city's forgotten inhabitants.

A Sense of Purpose. Abdulrahman felt a divine calling to remain in New Orleans, believing God had placed him there to be of service. His quiet, paddle-powered canoe allowed him to hear faint cries for help that louder fan boats missed, highlighting the unique advantage of his chosen mode of transport. He shared his resources generously, giving away water and MREs to stranded families, embodying a spirit of selflessness amidst the chaos.

Community and Connection. During his rounds, Abdulrahman reconnected with friends and tenants, including Frank Noland, Todd Gambino, and Nasser Dayoob, who also chose to stay. These encounters provided mutual support and a shared sense of purpose, as they collectively navigated the surreal, waterlogged landscape. His ability to find a working landline at his Claiborne property became a lifeline for himself and Nasser to communicate with the outside world, offering a rare link to worried families.

5. Wrongful Arrest: From Savior to Suspect

“You guys are al Qaeda,” the soldier said.

The Arrest. On September 6, while Abdulrahman was at his Claiborne property, six armed officers in mismatched uniforms burst in, arresting him, Nasser, Todd, and Ronnie. Despite Abdulrahman identifying himself as the landlord and protesting, they were handcuffed, their legs tied, and shoved onto a large military fan boat. Abdulrahman's attempt to retrieve Kathy's phone number, left by the house phone, was violently rebuffed, severing his last link to his family.

Accusations of Terrorism. At the Napoleon and St. Charles staging ground, the four men were tackled, forced face-down, and subjected to aggressive treatment, with soldiers barking obscenities. They were then transported to the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, which had been converted into a military base. There, soldiers openly accused Abdulrahman and Nasser of being "al Qaeda" and "Taliban," signaling a grave misunderstanding fueled by post-9/11 paranoia and racial profiling.

Loss of Rights. During processing, the men were fingerprinted, photographed, and strip-searched, including a humiliating body cavity search for Abdulrahman. They were denied phone calls and not informed of any charges. The discovery of Nasser's $10,000 cash and Todd's MapQuest printouts further fueled suspicion, leading authorities to believe they were involved in organized criminal activity, despite their explanations.

6. Camp Greyhound: A Prison of Shame and Confusion

It looked precisely like the pictures he’d seen of Guantánamo Bay.

Makeshift Prison. Abdulrahman and his companions were confined in Camp Greyhound, a vast outdoor prison constructed from chain-link fences topped with razor wire, resembling a giant kennel or, disturbingly, Guantánamo Bay. The facility, built by Angola prisoners, was designed for maximum visibility and control, with floodlights illuminating the cages 24/7 and the incessant drone of an Amtrak engine providing electricity and masking sounds.

Inhumane Conditions. The conditions were brutal: prisoners slept on filthy cement, without blankets or pillows, enduring constant noise and the stench of human waste. They were denied basic rights, including phone calls, and subjected to arbitrary rules, such as not touching the fence, enforced with threats and violence. Meals consisted of MREs, often containing pork, which Abdulrahman and Nasser, as Muslims, could not eat.

Psychological Warfare. The guards' behavior was often punitive and dehumanizing, including pepper-spraying prisoners, sometimes through the fence, and using beanbag guns for submission. Abdulrahman witnessed the pepper-spraying of a mentally disabled young man, an act of cruelty that deeply disturbed him. The presence of a suspected spy, Jerry, placed in their cage, further heightened paranoia and distrust, making communication difficult and reinforcing the sense of being under constant surveillance.

7. Kathy's Desperate Search for Her Husband

“Did they say the city was flooded, Mama?” “Is our house under water?” “Are they shooting people, Mama?”

Growing Anxiety. After Abdulrahman's last call, Kathy's anxiety escalated, especially after a stranger answered the phone at the Claiborne house. News reports of widespread lawlessness, rapes, and murders in New Orleans, coupled with Governor Blanco's warning that troops were authorized to "shoot and kill," intensified her fears for Abdulrahman's safety. She struggled to shield her children from the grim reality, often resorting to lies to maintain their composure.

Frantic Efforts. Kathy's search became frantic. She called the Claiborne house repeatedly, only to hear endless ringing, confirming the phone was working but unanswered. She contacted Abdulrahman's brother Ahmad, who initiated his own search, emailing aid agencies and the TV station that had interviewed Abdulrahman. Kathy also registered Abdulrahman with numerous missing-persons agencies, providing his photo and details, clinging to the hope that he might be in a hospital, unconscious.

Emotional Toll. The emotional toll on Kathy was immense. She experienced physical symptoms of stress, including a rapidly growing streak of white hair. Her family in Syria, hearing fragmented news, added to her burden, urging her to find Abdulrahman or move back to Syria. The uncertainty, combined with the bureaucratic stonewalling she encountered, pushed her to the brink, making her contemplate drastic measures like driving back to New Orleans herself.

8. The Ordeal of Incarceration at Hunt

He had not been allowed to make a phone call, and there was no hint that he would ever be allowed to do so.

Transfer to Hunt. After days at Camp Greyhound, Abdulrahman and other prisoners were transferred to the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, a maximum-security prison in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. The move brought a brief sense of relief due to the prison's apparent professionalism, but Abdulrahman and Nasser were soon isolated in a small, cement-walled cell, separated from the American prisoners, raising fears of more serious, politically motivated charges.

Isolation and Despair. Confined to a six-by-eight-foot cell for 23 hours a day, Abdulrahman endured profound boredom and mental anguish. He was denied books, paper, and any form of mental stimulation, leading to a sense of wasting away. The constant denial of a phone call, despite his repeated pleas, became a central torment, as he imagined Kathy's suffering, believing him dead.

Physical and Psychological Deterioration. Abdulrahman's physical health deteriorated rapidly. An infected foot, a throbbing kidney pain (which he attributed to sorrow), and lack of proper food (due to pork in MREs) weakened him. The dehumanizing strip searches by riot-geared guards, the constant surveillance, and the realization that he was considered a "FEMA problem" rather than a legitimate prisoner, chipped away at his dignity and hope.

9. Systemic Failures and Unjust Detainment

This country was not unique. This country was fallible. Mistakes were being made. He was a mistake.

Broken System. Abdulrahman's incarceration at Hunt revealed a deeply flawed and dysfunctional justice system in post-Katrina New Orleans. Prisoners, many arrested for minor infractions like curfew violations or trespassing, were held without charges, bail, or trial. The courts were non-existent, and the prison staff disclaimed responsibility, stating that "all of those records are on paper, and we don’t have that paper. We have no actual records of any of those people. They’re FEMA’s."

Lack of Accountability. The arbitrary nature of arrests and the inhumane conditions at Camp Greyhound and Hunt highlighted a severe lack of accountability among law enforcement and military personnel. Guards often acted with impunity, and the system offered no recourse for the wrongfully detained. Abdulrahman's experience, shared by many "Katrina prisoners," exposed a system where due process was suspended, and individuals were treated as disposable.

Erosion of Trust. Abdulrahman, who had always believed in the fairness and functionality of his adopted country, found his faith shattered. He realized that in the chaos, the very institutions meant to protect citizens were instead "devouring anyone who got close." His ordeal, from being accused of terrorism to being held in a Guantánamo-like cage, forced him to confront the unsettling reality that even in the United States, innocents could be imprisoned and disappear without a trace.

10. The Long-Awaited Release and Lingering Trauma

“He’s fine, ma’am. We have no more interest in him.”

A Messenger of Hope. After 12 days at Hunt, a missionary visiting the prison offered Abdulrahman a lifeline, taking Kathy's phone number despite the rules. This act of mercy led to a call from the Department of Homeland Security, confirming Abdulrahman's location and stating they had "no more interest in him." This news, though brief and businesslike, brought immense relief to Kathy, who had been preparing for his death.

The Price of Freedom. Kathy, with the help of lawyer Raleigh Ohlmeyer, navigated the bureaucratic maze to secure Abdulrahman's release. Despite the charges of "looting" being baseless, bail was set at an exorbitant $75,000. Kathy had to return to the devastated city to retrieve the deed to their office building as collateral, a harrowing journey through a city reeking of decay and guarded by suspicious police.

Reunion and Aftermath. On September 29, after 23 days of unjust incarceration, Abdulrahman was released, a shadow of his former self, having lost 22 pounds and much of his hair. His reunion with Kathy was emotional but constrained by guards. The physical and psychological toll was profound: he was ashamed of his ordeal, and Kathy developed memory loss and PTSD symptoms, feeling "cracked open" by the systemic failures that had made her husband disappear.

11. Unraveling the Truth: Police Accounts and Red Cell Report

“If he was innocent, then I feel very bad,” he said. “Here’s the bottom line: I wouldn’t want something like that to happen to me personally.”

Conflicting Narratives. Investigations into Abdulrahman's arrest revealed conflicting accounts from the arresting officers. Officer Ralph Gonzales, from Albuquerque, stated they were responding to a report of "looting and dealing drugs" at the Claiborne house, and found "something in their attitude" amiss. He admitted the arrest was "routine" but expressed regret if Zeitoun was innocent, acknowledging the system's failure to provide due process.

Lima's Story. Officer Donald Lima, the lead New Orleans cop, claimed he saw the four men looting a Walgreens days prior and recognized their boat at the Claiborne house. He admitted to siphoning gas and breaking into stores for supplies, deeming it "a necessary part of the mission" in the "anarchy" of post-Katrina New Orleans. Despite his claims, no stolen goods were found at Zeitoun's property, and the house was not secured as a crime scene, highlighting the chaotic and often arbitrary nature of law enforcement during the crisis.

The "Red Cell" Report. A Department of Homeland Security "red cell" document, issued in 2003, shed light on the prevailing paranoia. It speculated on "terrorist exploitation of a high category hurricane," warning of:

• Hostage situations or attacks on shelters
• Cyber attacks
• Impersonation of emergency response officials
• Targeting evacuation routes
  The report recommended "increased security procedures (e.g. identification checks) at evacuation centers and shelters" and "increased patrols and vigilance of staff at key transportation and evacuation points." This document, circulated to law enforcement, likely contributed to the hyper-vigilant and suspicious environment that led to Abdulrahman's wrongful arrest.

12. Rebuilding Lives Amidst Lingering Scars

“Everything happens for a reason,” he tells them. “You do your duty, you do what’s right, and the rest is in God’s hands.”

Personal Scars. Kathy continues to grapple with memory loss, concentration issues, and physical ailments, diagnosed as post-traumatic stress syndrome. She lives with a constant fear for her family's safety, checking on her children frequently at night. Abdulrahman, though physically recovered, carries the emotional scars of his imprisonment, struggling with anger and the memory of being dehumanized. He avoids the Greyhound station and the Claiborne house, reminders of his ordeal.

Loss and Resilience. The Zeitouns lost their office building, which was eventually sold, and their beloved canoe was stolen after Abdulrahman's arrest. Many friends and neighbors moved away, and the elderly couple Abdulrahman rescued, Alvin and Beulah Williams, passed away in the years following the storm. Despite these losses, Abdulrahman's work ethic remains strong; he works tirelessly, even on Sundays, finding solace in rebuilding.

A New Beginning. The Zeitouns, now with a new son, Ahmad, born in 2006, are rebuilding their Dart Street home, expanding it to accommodate their growing family. Abdulrahman's painting and contracting business has restored 114 houses, contributing significantly to New Orleans' recovery. He finds joy in seeing the city rise again, believing in the power of rebuilding and the importance of saving what can be saved. He tells his children that his imprisonment, though unjust, might have been God's way of saving him from something worse, reinforcing his faith that "everything happens for a reason."

Last updated: January 11, 2026