I’ve always felt safe in America. Granted, growing up as a Muslim American in the post-9/11 era poses its challenges, but I’ve always maintained the “it won’t be me” mentality. That is, until Tuesday evening. The news reported that three innocent Muslim students were brutally murdered in their home near Chapel Hill, N.C.
Muslim students. Just like me.
Their assailant was a vocal anti-theist whose heinous act adds to the growing list of Islamophobic sentiments, protests and hate crimes in America.
Let’s not forget that Duke University rescinded its initial decision to allow the Muslim call to prayer after threat of financial boycott from the likes of Franklin Graham, or that anti-Muslim threats tripled following the release of the movie “American Sniper.”
The only combatant to this bigotry is tolerance. I call upon my fellow Americans to stand together as one, regardless of race and religion, and share in acceptance. In a phrase, I proclaim my Muslim community’s motto of “Love for All, Hatred for None.”
Ibrahim Ijaz is an LSA freshman.