'Million hijabs' page shows solidarity for slain Muslim woman

[Amerigo Vespucci]

'Million hijabs' page shows solidarity for slain Muslim woman



In the 11 days since it was launched, One Million Hijabs has drawn 12,370 followers.

By Kari Huus, msnbc.com

The murder of an Iraqi immigrant found beaten to death in her San Diego home on March 21 has sparked a Facebook campaign in which scores of women are posting their pictures donning the "hijab" — a head covering the victim wore as part of her Muslim faith.

The Facebook page, called "One Million Hijabs for Shaima Alawadi," is based on the premise that her killing was a hate crime because there was a "threatening note" left by Alawadi's body.

Alawadi's 15-year-old son, Mohammed — one of her five children — told the New York Times that the note read: "This is my country. Go back to yours, terrorist."

Investigators are exploring ethnic and religious bias angles, but they have cautioned about drawing conclusions until more evidence is available.



Pictures posted on Facebook by women wearing hijabs. Some are non-Muslims who wore the headscarf as part of a Facebook tribute to Shaima Alawadi.

[JI7]

1. if it was a hate crime i think it's more likely because she was a woman

and probably someone in the family or someone else she knew.

[riderinthestorm]

3. +1. This case is troubling because it really doesn't seem to be a hate crime

It's always had an intercultural-strife aspect rather than an "outsider" hate crime (the note even doesn't pass the smell test).

Alas, another tragedy exploited for religious propaganda. The hijab has become hugely politicized in the west and it's religious significance has become a lightening rod.

[Kalidurga]

2. So, the coward kills a woman...

not that cowards don't kill men as well. But, I think she was killed just because she also looked like an easier target. I would if I was a prosecutor make it a double hate crime.

[fujiyama]

4. It is actually more reassuring to the community if it turns out this isn't a hate crime

Because if it was a hate crime, then you know there's some psycho racist out there who could potentially attack other minorities the same way.

It's an incredibly horrific and sad story regardless. Hopefully they'll find whoever did this. The most important thing is for the investigators to keep all possibilities open.