By Monique
It was pretty heartbreaking to wake up to the news that three Muslim students had been murdered in their apartment. Craig Stephen Hicks has been charged with the deaths of Deah Shaddy Barakat, his wife Yusor Mohammad and Mohammad’s sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha. The police believe Hicks killed the students over a parking dispute, but obviously there’s more to the case, since Hicks is an atheist and the victims were Muslim. Police are now looking into whether the killings are hate crimes. The jury of public opinion state that it’s unequivocal that discrimination against Muslims was in play.
Twitter has responded to the murders with two hashtags, #ChapelHillShooting and #MuslimLivesMatter, based on the popular #BlackLivesMatter hashtag. Here are some of the most gripping tweets about the tragedy.
3 Muslim college students killed in cold blood. No media attention or outrage #MuslimLivesMatter #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/FuCN3XAkA3
— Diana (@lunarnomad) February 11, 2015
My cousin, his wife and sister in law were murdered for being muslim. Someone tell me racism/hate crimes don’t exist. #MuslimLivesMatter
— Haya Barakat (@HayaBarakat) February 11, 2015
I wonder when all world leaders will come and hold hands and march on the streets of Chapel Hill to condemn Islamphobia. #MuslimLivesMatter
— Dr. Yasir Qadhi (@YasirQadhi) February 11, 2015
Remember them like this. Deah and Yusor had names, dreams and families. #MuslimLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/G6YF06gXyO
— MohaNNad أبو مازن (@TheMoeDee) February 11, 2015
We cannot live in our country and not feel safe. This is the experience of many communities. #BlackLivesMatter #MuslimLivesMatter
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) February 11, 2015
If this were a Muslim man, killing 3 white Americans, there would be mass hysteria and the terror alert raised to HIGH. #MuslimLivesMatter
— Chris Millington (@ChrisJohnMilly) February 11, 2015
Wow… RT @MariaAliaa: This is absolutely disgusting and honestly makes me so scared. #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/qhVvASQzQQ
— Gregory A. Cendana (@gregorycendana) February 12, 2015
Here’s your guide to understanding the news. #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/FiPQPybeqr
— JRehling (@JRehling) February 11, 2015
The world over, this is what the victims of terrorism look like #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/EEdW4nWRVT
— Ryan Cummings (@Pol_Sec_Analyst) February 11, 2015
This is a real examples of unethical media #ChapelHillShooting #MuslimLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/rvVD1w7FdJ
— Muhanad Alhassoun (@Muhanad97) February 12, 2015
Thousands have gathered in the Pit of UNC to honor Deah Barakat, Yusor and Razan AbuSalha. #MuslimLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Kkovy8OskH
— Abbas Sarsour (@iFalasteen) February 12, 2015
Let me get this straight Parking space > Muslim life? ? #MuslimLivesMatter
— Madame Dumas (@AHumanLearning) February 12, 2015
RT @HumnaUsmani: Sorry this ugly world couldn’t handle your beautiful dreams. #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/KEZt86cs18
— Gregory A. Cendana (@gregorycendana) February 12, 2015
Deah Barakat’s brother, Basem, 10, cries “I want to see him again, I didn’t get to say bye” #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/iac4TXePu8” ??
— TKP (@tkpsky) February 12, 2015
#ChapelHillShooting is an act of pure evil. My heart goes out to victims’ family.
— Hesham Haggag (@HeshamHaggag) February 12, 2015
There are far too many examples of violence against Muslim Americans that disappear in the media. #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/bKV79EI8qB
— Bipartisan Report (@Bipartisanism) February 12, 2015
#ChapelHillShooting Video: #CAIR Director Appears on CNN to Discuss Chapel Hill Murders – #MuslimLivesMatter… http://t.co/zmhQcxr8Fb
— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) February 12, 2015
Photoset: micdotcom:Everyone needs to see these #MuslimLivesMatter tweets after the Chapel Hill shooting… http://t.co/fKkNeB6NFB
— Filby Pott (@filbypott) February 12, 2015
I stand #withmuslims and their right to LIVE without fear. We’re all humans. Let’s remember humanity. #MuslimLivesMatter
— Patricia A Fortunato (@PFortunato) February 12, 2015
It seems clear to me as well that this is a hate crime. For the case to be dismissed as just a crime of passion over a parking issue is not really giving the situation the gravity its due.
Nihad Awad, CAIR National Executive Director, said in a statement, “Based on the brutal nature of this crime, the past anti-religoius statements of the alleged perpetrator, the religious attire of two of the victims and the rising anti-Muslim rhetoric in American society, we urge state and federal law enforcement authorities to quickly address speculation of a possible bias motive in this case.” I’d hope the police do investigate every corner of this case, since, according to the sisters’ father, Mohammad Abu Salha, the murders were done “execution style” and that his daughter had complained to him of Hicks threatening them before.
This is truly sad and unfortunate. Prayers and well-wishes go to the families of the victims.
Photo credit: Rezann/Twitter
Julian 