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"Whoever kills a single soul, it is as if he has slain all of humankind entirely." (Holy Qur'an, 5:32)
Two nights ago, I watched Suzanne Barakat, sister of murdered Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, respond with great equanimity and wisdom as she was interviewed by Anderson Cooper about the deaths of her brother, his wife Yusor Abu-Salha, 21, and Yusor’s sister, Razan Abu-Salha, 19, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In what could only have been a moment of unimaginable pain, she described the three slain young adults as having been dedicated to service, to family, to faith.
 Suzanne Barakat demonstrated to a country so mired in suspicion and derision of Muslims that true Islam is not to be feared but rather respected and appreciated for the witness to love and justice that it makes on a daily basis. Barakat showed that the practice of Islam grounds the faithful in forgiveness and provides to those who surrender to God a path, even through the most dire of tragedies, to peace.
While media and law enforcement debate the motive in this heinous crime, let there be no doubt that the murdering of three Muslims, two of whom were wearing hijab, perpetuates the daily fear with which Muslims in the United States live. The response of communities, religious organizations, neighbors, educational institutions, and law enforcement can either further the culture of violence by obfuscating the hate at the core of this killing or demand a new reality that seeks understanding and peace.
These murders did not arise ex nihilo, but are a result of an ongoing climate in the United States that continues to view Muslims as a threat and as an “other.”
The Fellowship of Reconciliation calls on all to counter that climate of Islamophobia with a widespread and sustained outcry, and respond with new and renewed intentionality to build bridges among all persons of faith, deepen understanding, and embrace a lasting peace.
This commitment is essential at a time when we find evidence of a combustible mix of religious xenophobia, embedded structural racism, and growing access to guns.
Unlike Christianity – in which the doctrine of “original sin” has been debated for millennia, with theologians arguing to what extent human beings are fully blessed upon birth or inherently broken only redeemable by Christ – Islam is clear that humans are born into original blessing, fully connected to God.
The goal of life for a Muslim is to continually seek return to God. To be faithful and follow the pillars and precepts of Islam is the highest work of a Muslim and the reward is to be fully with God again upon death.
This kind of clear devotion was exhibited by Yusor last November when she posted on her Facebook page, “Hijab is my constant reminder that we aren’t living for this world. Hope we ladies can reap the rewards of this daily test. #perseverance.” It is a deep loss to those left behind that her life and the lives of her husband and sister were cut so tragically short.
For those of us who seek and practice forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace, the response of the families of Deah, Yusor, and Razan provide a light in darkness. Instead of calling for vengeance, or casting blame or pointing to the constant harassment to which the three were subjected by their murderer, they are focusing on faith.
They refuse to frame Deah, Yusor and Razan as victims, and instead have set up a site entitled Our Three Winners emphasizing their contributions of service and faithfulness. May we all be so generous if ever faced with similar loss and pain, and may we persevere for a world in which the taking of another life is as unfathomable as this tragedy is to us today.
For those seeking ways to act and respond in your communities, we recommend information provided today by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture regarding organizing multi-faith vigils, supporting the Shoulder to Shoulder campaign, and more.
In mourning and peace,
 Rev. Kristin Stoneking
Executive Director
Fellowship of Reconciliation With gratitude to American Muslim Voice and the Community of Living Traditions/ Muslim Peace Fellowship.
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