Chapel Hill shooting: #MuslimLivesMatter, if at least on Twitter

People on Twitter question response of mainstream US over the killing, vow to raise their voice for the three victims

Following the murder of three Muslims students in the university town of Chapel Hill in North Carolina on Tuesday, many questioned the kind of coverage the gruesome incident received from mainstream US media in comparison to similar incidents involving members of other faith.

Many people took to Twitter to decrying the growing racism particularly against Muslims in US media but pointed out that at least on the microblogging site, they will not remain silent.

While #ChapelHillShooting was the top most trend around the world, many gathered under #MuslimLivesMatter to combat racism and the creeping scepter of Islamophobia.

Haya Barakat, cousin of one the victim Deah Barakat, tweeted that her cousin and his wife, sister in law were murdered for being Muslims, questioning growing racism/hate crime in the society.

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

People also questioned the response of mainstream to the killing of three Muslims students.

https://twitter.com/IjeomaOluo/status/565404205503250432

Another user, while terming the incident as ‘inexcusable’, said “We cannot claim to live in a free country when a Muslim must fear for their life within our borders. It is inexcusable.”

We cannot claim to live in a free country when a Muslim must fear for their life within our borders. It is inexcusable. #MuslimLivesMatter

— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) 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

https://twitter.com/aminelgamal/status/565405520291721217

While decrying the demonising of Muslims as terrorists, people said the killer would be declared as someone with employment struggles or medical issues but not a terrorist.

https://twitter.com/aishacs/status/565499682299052037

https://twitter.com/Kurd_SR/status/565470796446187520

How does having a mental condition justify murder. Someone please explain America's logic. #MuslimLivesMatter #ChapelHillShooting

— Haya Barakat (@HayaBarakat) February 11, 2015

https://twitter.com/zholida/status/565524704858222592

In a twist of fate, one of the three victims Deah, had just days before his murder tweeted about how violence is not a solution to conflicts.

It's so freaking sad to hear people saying we should "kill Jews" or "Kill Palestinians". As if that's going to solve anything SMH

— Deah Barakat (@arabprodigy30) January 28, 2015

I guess Muslims will never be in the news unless there is some terrorism incident. Muslims can never be the victims in the eyes of the MSM.

— ST (@shobz) February 11, 2015

More innocent lives lost... RIP Deah, Yusur, and Razan, my thoughts and prayers are with their families #muslimlivesmatter

— Rania Al Abdullah (@QueenRania) February 11, 2015