(WASHINGTON DC 02/11/2015)– The US Council of Muslim Organizations(USCMO), a coalition of several leading national and local Muslim organization, expresses its deepest condolences to the families of Deah Barakat, 23, Yusor Abu-SAlha, 21 and her sister Razan Abu-Salha, 19, who were murdered execution style, by their anti-thiest neighbor Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, in what was possibly a hate motivated crime.
“We condemn this atrocious act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims at this difficult time,” says Oussama Jammal, Secretary General of USCMO.
Taking into account the perpetrator’s social media condemnations and anti-religion statements posts, we call upon the FBI and local authorities of Chapel Hill, N.C. to further investigate any possible hate motives and treat this case as a hate crime.
At the time when the White House is hosting a summit on violent extremism, this terrible tragedy reflects that extremism has no religion, identity or community.
The Secretary General and leaders from the council have traveled to North Carolina to express their condolences and to participate in the funeral of the three victims which takes place tomorrow, Thursday February 12, 2015, after the midday prayer at the Islamic Association of Raleigh.
“The USCMO is here to offer support to the Muslim Community during this traumatizing time,” says Oussama Jammal, Secretary General of USCMO.
