By Chris Nafekh, Staff Writer

Published in Mar. 25, 2015

In a show of solidarity, people from all over Greensboro gathered at the city’s Islamic Center Sunday afternoon to remember Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha and Razan Abu-Salha, the victims of last February’s Chapel Hill shooting.

In a symbolic gesture, the event was scheduled 40 days after the shooting. 40 days is the grieving period in many parts of the word, thus the timing transcended cultural and religious boundaries.

In two long rows of adjacent chairs sat strangers, of all different beliefs, backgrounds, colors and creeds. As people spoke about religion, life and happiness, a common bond was made. Bridges were built between vast parts of the earth while people of all ages, nations and denominations enjoyed a deliciously ethnic meal with new and refreshing company.

The immediate goal was to learn more about the community, make new friends and see new faces. The long-term goal was to prevent religious and racial violence in Greensboro by forming bonds and creating understanding.

Following the Chapel Hill shooting, UNCG held a vigil in which Muslim students expressed a fear of becoming targets of Islamophobia. Some believed that there was also a sense of unjust, minimal media coverage of the event, and little effort to share the true spirit of Islam as an accepting and peaceful religion.

Todd Drake is a Human Rights Photographer who is currently working on several projects around the state, focused on the politically and socially oppressed.

“Just sitting down and talking to one another,” said Drake, “is an enormous bridge builder between people; it dissipates fear.”

The Islamic State and the American forces against it have been top stories in popular news media. Many intellectuals around the globe are concerned that extremist groups are characterizing the entire Muslim population. Most agree that this perception is wrong, given the small fraction of extremists all religions seem to host.

“The Chapel Hill killing is really the tip of the iceberg,” said Drake. “I think there’s a growing fear of the Muslim community in North Carolina. I’ve traveled all over N.C. and talked to a lot of Muslims with my work. It’s a feeling that has been growing since 9/11, but it doesn’t seem to be going in the right direction.”

Students, staff and graduates of UNC Greensboro were present Sunday night, sending kind regards from one UNC school to another. Although the event was not connected to the University system in any way, many felt it was important to the Muslim community to share support.

“We need to stand up for what we believe in,” said Miriam Aziza Stephan, an Art Professor at UNCG who was present Sunday afternoon.

“There’s something so ridiculously idealistic,” she said, “in the cheesiest way that makes you remember the utopian American dream. There’s so many different colors of skin, so many lifestyles and ages … when people talk or write about what America represents, you never see it on a day-to-day basis. You actually need to work towards that ideal, and that’s what’s most heartwarming about today.”

The message of multicultural harmony went out to the friends and family of Barakat and the Abu-Salha siblings.

“I hope the friends and family of the victims get word of this,” said Drake. “We’ve done this in their family’s honor, but it’s also important for the Muslim community here to know that non-Muslims have shown up to say, ‘we support you, don’t be afraid.’ That’s the biggest pay off.”