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

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.

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

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.”

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.

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.