On 10 February 2015, Craig Stephen Hicks brutally shot 3 of his Muslim neighbors in Chapel Hill, NC. Muslims in this country are outraged at this senseless and tragic act of terrorism against Muslims. The victims were newlyweds Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, and Yusor Mohammad, 21, of Chapel Hill, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, of Raleigh, NC. May Allah (swt) grant Deah, Yusor and Razan the highest level of Jannah.

This is the latest and most brutal attack on Muslims that has been sweeping the nation over the last several years. Mainstream media initially chose to ignore this incident until they were pressured by outrage in social media. Evidently Muslims are newsworthy only when behind the gun, not in front of it. What is noticeably missing from the rhetoric of the media and authorities is the religious affiliation of the perpetrator, his association with other organizations, and the list of his mentors and associates. In nearly every incident involving a Muslim suspect, Islam and Muslim are heavily emphasized, and links are quickly made to suspected violent organizations, mentors, and associates. Also missing from the news are the voices of Muslim rulers in support of their brothers and sisters killed in hatred. While these same Muslim rulers rushed to condemn the deaths of journalists allegedly killed for insulting the Prophet (saw) as if the blood and lives of those who insult the Prophet (saw) are dearer to them than that of their own brethren.

The family members of the victims vehemently state that this is a hate crime based on previous run-ins with Hicks expressing discontent with his Muslim neighbors. While the media and authorities are downplaying Hicks's resentment against religions and are pointing towards the motive being a dispute over parking. Whether or not Hicks disputed with other neighbors, he chose to kill only the Muslims. Dr. Abu-Salha said his daughter (one of the victims), who lived next door to Hicks and wore a Muslim head scarf, had told her family a week ago that "[Hicks is] a hateful neighbor" and "He hates us for what we are and how we look".

The lack of a strong response from authorities, both local and federal, and the double standards of the media raise deep concerns amongst Muslims in this country for their safety and wellbeing.

While America and the West have been waging a brutal war against Muslims and blaming the victims, the American media has been fanning the flames of hatred. Both conservative and liberal media outlets, including news and entertainment, have been attacking Islam and Muslims at every opportunity. This toxic message is gaining grounds, and it's even being used a political platform by racist politicians. Even minority politicians have seen fit to use Islamophobia and lies against Muslims as a resonating platform. It is this Islamophobic narrative that seeks to portray Islam and Muslims as violent and regressive, in need of policing, all along portraying Muslims as aggressors and the West as its victims. It is this very same Islamophobia that radicalizes some individuals in the West to violently express their contempt for Muslim populations.

As for the Muslims in this country, we must seek safety and security in the Deen of Allah (swt), and we must seek the pleasure and protection of Allah (swt) by putting our trust in Him and obeying His Commands. Neither this atrocity, nor other attacks against Muslims or their property should create any fear amongst Muslims or in any way create a sense of weakness. Nor should Muslims compromise on any part of their Deen. For no harm comes except that which Allah has permitted. Instead, the Muslims must hold fast to the Deen of Allah (swt), for the Muslims in the West are at the forefront carrying the Dawah of Islam directly to the West. We have been honored with the task of taking people from the darkness of the Ignorance to the light of Islam.

((قُلْ لَنْ يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَانَا ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ))

"Say: Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our Protector: and on Allah let the Believers put their trust." [TMQ 9:51]