As a result of the tragedy involving Norhananim Zainol and Teh
Nanni Roshema, two University students killed Sunday night, there
has been discussion about petitioning for a streetlight on Plymouth
Road, in front of the Islamic Center of Ann Arbor, said Ann Arbor
Police Lt. Gregory O’Dell.

“There were discussions today with several groups of
people about the intersection. It is certainly something being
looked at, at this point,” O’Dell added.

Muslim Students Association President Omar Khalil said members
of the Muslim community have already begun to meet with city
officials about measures that must be taken to ensure that
accidents like this are not repeated.

“Members of the Muslim community met with the mayor
pro-tem (Jean Carlberg) and some members of the City Council to
discuss short-term and long-term solutions for the
intersection,” Khalil said.

One short-term solution that will be implemented is having
police direct the traffic in front of the mosque during high
traffic times. Such times would include 5 to 6:30 p.m. during
Ramadan, as well as after Friday prayers.

Besides police escorts to monitor the traffic, Khalil said local
community members are trying to get lighted signs in front of the
mosque to warn automobile drivers to slow down. He said they also
plan on painting a cross walk in front of the mosque.

“We are also trying to increase lighting in the area. From
Detroit Edison we are getting attachments to put on light bulbs in
the area that will double or triple the amount of lighting in the
area,” Khalil added.

Khalil said the Muslim community is also working through more
bureaucratic means to petition for the building of a stoplight. He
added that although the proposal was brought up at the last minute,
Ann Arbor residents are still pushing to get it on the agenda for
the city meeting on Nov. 17. If approved, Khalil said that it would
probably take six months for the city to construct the traffic
light.

Some good may come from the tragedies with the increased safety
on Plymouth Road. Because friends of the victims are still going
through an especially rough time, the University’s Counseling
and Psychological Services program has been offering help to
students in need, said Lisa Payton, director of Student Leadership
and Academic Services.

Yesterday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Johnson room of the Lurie
Engineering Center there was a gathering where the victims’
friends could meet with CAPS counselors.

“Three representatives talked in detail about the grieving
process and about the range of emotions that they might be feeling.
They encouraged them to find ways to talk about their feelings
through either CAPS or (other) friends,” Payton said.

Payton added that both girls were a part of a close spiritual
community. She said that the community has been depending on
spirituality to cope with the situation.

The funeral arrangements for both girls will be held at 1:40
p.m. at the Islamic Center of Ann Arbor. Their parents were
notified yesterday and are receiving the news relatively well,
considering the circumstances, said Khalil. After the prayer
service at the mosque, both bodies will be returned to Malaysia for
burial.