Islamophobia must stop

After three Muslim students were killed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Feb. 10, the controversial issue of Islamophobia in the United States began to resurface, with some people outraged that this incident not being addressed as an act of terrorism.

Craig Hicks was indicted for shooting and killing Deah Barakat, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha at their condominium complex.

Police are currently investigating whether the shootings were the result of a dispute over parking, but they have not ruled out other motives, including the possibility of it being a hate crime.

Muslims are often negatively portrayed in popular media, affecting how the public views them as a whole.

In the past couple of months, there have been discussions in the media about the rise of Islamophobia, from criticism about the controversial “American Sniper” movie to the Charlie Hebdo incident in France.

According to a poll by the Arab American Institute, Americans’ opinions about Arabs and Muslims have been on a steady decline since 2010.

Another poll by the Pew Research Center shows that out of all religious groups, Muslims are the most negatively viewed by Americans.

Yes, American media is referring to the shootings as a possible hate crime; however, there is little to no mention of it being an act of terrorism.

Recently, Saudi Arabia has called for the end of hatred toward Muslims, calling the Chapel Hill shootings a heinous terrorist act. Organizations, such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Al-Azhar, have also voiced their concern about the rising anti-Muslim sentiments and Islamophobic acts in the United States.

Many ask how Americans would have reacted if the shooter had been Muslim. Would it then be considered a act of terrorism?

Terrorism is simply defined as the use of violence to frighten people as a way of trying to achieve a political goal.

Hicks’ Facebook account has not been taken down, and screenshots of a few of his recent posts are circulating the Internet, with Hicks proclaiming himself as an “anti-theist” or being against any and all religion, and a critic of religious rights.

He already had a prejudice against religious people, allegedly posting, “When it comes to insults, your religion started this, not me. If your religion kept its big mouth shut, so would I.”

It is still a shock that there are people who are hostile toward people simply because of gender, sexual orientation, race and religion.

Whatever the final motive may be, we cannot forget that three young adults were killed. Actions need to be taken to erase the negativity that society has associated with being a Muslim and raise awareness about the rising Islamophobia in this country.

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Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Campus Times Editorial Board.

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