By Sylvia Cunningham
When UConn sophomore Reiham Barmo was first told that three Muslim students had been killed in North Carolina, she didn’t believe it.
UConn student Reiham Barmo said her parents started worrying about her safety after three Muslims were murdered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Feb. 10. (Photo by Kaitlyn Carroll)
“My friend told me,” Reiham said. “I thought he misheard or misunderstood.”
But then Reiham received a call from her mom.
“She’s like…make sure you’re safe, try wearing your hijab differently, try wearing a beanie. I’m like, ‘mom, you’re overreacting.’”
Reiham’s dad was also concerned that by wearing her hijab, Reiham would be putting herself at risk.
“My dad wanted me to take it off actually. He actually wanted me to take it off,” Reiham said. “I was like ‘I’m not going to take off my hijab or change who I am because of this.’ That just proves that they’re winning – whoever they are.”
Reiham was one of the many students who spoke to an audience of over 200 on Monday night to honor the lives of 23-year-old Deah Shaddy Barakat, 21-year-old Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha and 19-year-old Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha who were killed on Feb. 10 in Chapel Hill.
UConn alumna and board member of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut Rebecca Minor spoke at Monday night’s vigil to touch on the lessons that can be learned from the Chapel Hill killings. (Photo by Kaitlyn Carroll)
UConn alumna Rebecca Minor, a member on the board of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, spoke about the lessons that can be learned from the shootings.
“Like many of you here tonight – Deah, Yusor and Razan were college students,” Minor said. “They had interests, hobbies, dreams and aspirations that will now go unfulfilled.”
Minor stressed the importance of taking the high road, even when it’s the more difficult one to take.
“It is our job to meet ignorance, suspicion and hostility with love, mercy and kindness,” Minor said.
UConn Dean of Students Eleanor Daugherty said events in recent days, weeks and months served as a reminder that lives matter.
“Black lives matter, Muslim lives matter. My life matters, your life matters,” Daughertry said. “Our future matters.”