This morning, I, like the rest of the world, woke up to the news that three Muslim students were brutally murdered at the University of North Carolina’s Chapel Hill campus:
Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23
Yusor Mohammad, 21
Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19
As I read their names, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t filled with rage as I thought of the newlyweds and sister who were executed in their home. And for what? For the atrocities caused by terrorists claiming to be of the same faith?
And then I read this beautiful status shared by the families of the murdered students on their page “Our Three Winners”:
“Muslims know all too well that the actions of few may not define the masses. Love shall overcome.”
That’s it. That’s exactly what we need to be sharing right now. No demands of apologies. No blame. No scapegoats that need to take responsibility for the actions of others. No one asking all white Caucasian males to condemn the actions of one terrorist. That is what he is, a terrorist. The media may call him a madman, but he is much more than that. Above all, he’s ignorant.
So I’ll add to their status, love – and education shall overcome.
But I’ll get back to that.
As a Muslim born and raised in the U.S., the news this morning hit home a bit harder than usual. I thought of my family and friends, and wondered if they were safe. Am I safe in my hometown now?
I remembered the days of 9/11 when my veiled mother hibernated at home for two weeks so as not to provoke those who were fearful of Muslims at the time. More importantly, I remembered my brother’s friend who offered to do her grocery shopping so she wouldn’t have to go out.
I remembered the girl I sat next to in class who blocked me on Facebook so that I wouldn’t see her Islamophobic posts. And then I thought of the friends that sent me messages about those very posts, and one former classmate who sent unbelievably kind words when #KillAllMuslims was trending on Twitter.
I thought of the shooting in Australia, and the #IllRideWithYou campaign that turned a tragedy into an opportunity for unity.
What these people all had in common was simple: education and good intentions. They knew better. They understood that Muslims aren’t evil. They acknowledged that the action of one individual, or a group, did not represent the masses.
But what about those who don’t know?
Most of us know about Kanye and Kim’s latest news, but how many people know the difference between a Sikh and a Muslim? How many people know that you can’t actually pray or perform pilgrimage with your face covered, essentially proving ridiculous rules placed by extremist groups as unreligious.
In a time when terrorist organizations and the media have overwhelming control over what we see and how we feel, it seems only logical to use the one tool at our disposal to educate, inform, and share the good: social media.
I know Facebook has become an open platform for strong-worded opinions; some more annoying than others, I’ll admit. But it’s a way to educate others in the fastest way possible. Imagine one share, how many of those people’s friends will see that article and think twice when they see the news? And maybe, just maybe, one of those people will speak up when they see a passenger on a plane disrespecting a veiled woman. I’m looking at you, Delta.
It’s not just about Muslims, though. Every single issue, whether black, Jewish, Arab, or gay, affects us all. The world is interconnected, and an event that happens in Sudan will affect you or your children someday. We can’t jump on a jet and fight ISIS ourselves, and we can’t physically protect every innocent black teen who’s being harassed on his way home. But we can speak up.
I’ve grown up hearing Arabs think that Americans are ignorant and don’t care about anything beyond its borders. I also grew up hearing Americans think the Middle East is this terrifying place where everyone’s angry and slaughtering infidels. As someone who has lived in both, I can affirm that this is not the case. Maybe that’s why I feel the need to comment so much on the news, to prove to the other side that it is not what the media says it is.
Don’t fight fire with fire. Fight it with education.
I’m not saying you need to post or tweet about every single issue, but speak up and share the good.
A famous pastor and poet named Martin Niemoller said the following:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me
It’s time to replace angry rants with opportunities for growth. If the families of the murdered students are asking us to behave with kindness and let love overcome all, then what excuse do we have? Share the good stories and stop spreading hate.
Call me an idealist, but the way I see it, without hope, what’s the point of getting out of bed?
WE SAID THIS: Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of Deah, Yusor and Razan. May they rest in peace.
