Saturday, March 31, 2012

Shaima Alawadi Murder, Was it a Hate Crime??


Shaima Alawadi, 32 year old Iraqi women was found severely beaten in her own home in California earlier this month. After being rushed to the hospital for injuries that the doctors did not believe she would survive, three days later she was taken off of life support.

Shaima was a wife and mother of five. Her family had moved from Iraq in 1990 and resided in Michigan before moving to California. She was found beaten nearly to death by her seventeen year old daughter, who stated, “I found her on the floor… in her own blood with a letter next to hear head saying go back to your country you terrorist.” The family had received a similar note earlier that week, containing similar contents. “A week ago they left a letter saying this is our country not yours you terrorist, and so my mom ignored that thinking it was just kids playing a prank,” she told the TV station.”

In a recent memorial service for his wife, Kassim Alhimidi spoke out about his wife’s murder and provided intimate details about the homicide and asked for any neighbors who had information to come forward. He stated that the murdered came thorough the garden, and into the back door and then murdered his wife. He then stated that the killer caused her death by apply numerous blows to her head, “The first hit her on her forehead then on her right ear. The third strike was on the back of her head. This was followed by five fast and consecutive strikes on her head and shoulders.”

Shaimas body was flown back to Iraq where she was taken to the Valley of Peace cemetery in the holy Shiite city of Najaf south of Baghdad and buried.  No suspect has yet been arrest for Shiama’s murder, but it is being classified a homicide. While many think that this murder was clearly a hate crime, others are not so quick to jump to conclusions. The president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Salam Al-Marayati, stated that jumping to conclusions would be irresponsible, but assured that after having spoken with authorizes, that they would do their best to solve the crime.

Though all the facts are leading to this being a hate crime act, others believe that because of the family background/faith and the fact that the husband knew so many details that it was actually an “honor killing.” There have been no facts to prove this accusation, but they are expressing their opinion and beliefs about this publicly, while others are doing the same against hate crimes. There are public Facebook and talks about doing a march against this issue.





REFERENCES

Hoft, Jim. "Husband of Shaima Alawadi Speaks Out -Appeals to Community to Help Find Mysterious Killer." 28 Mar. 2012. Web. 31 Mar. 2012. <http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/03/husband-of-shaima-alawadi-speaks-out-appeals-to-community-to-find-mysterious-killer/>.

"Muslim Woman Killed in California by Racists." Uddari Weblog. Punjabi MaaNboli Literature, 25 Mar. 2012. Web. 30 Mar. 2012. <http://uddari.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/muslim-woman-killed-in-california-by-racists/>.

"Shaima Alawadi, Murdered Iraqi-American Mother, Buried in Iraq." GlobalPost. Web. 31 Mar. 2012. <http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/120331/shaima-alawadi-murdered-iraqi-american-mother-buried-i>.

2 comments:

  1. This is what upsets me the most, a innocent person getting killed for their nationality, Just because she was an Iraqi. That video was very sad to see. I think it was a hate crime because people are crazy just because she was from iraq doesn't mean she was a terrorist. Its sad that people come to "America" for a better opportunity and this is what they get!

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  2. Wow, this is awful news to hear. I really hope they find out who did this. I sort of jumped the gun by thinking it was a hate crime when reading the hateful words that were said. But, maybe the husband should be looked into? By studying what he says, his facial expressions and his body movements can indicate some information. However, if he didn’t have anything to do with this, he would feel a whole lot more pain in people even thinking he was able to commit this act. I hope that when the husband asked the neighbors to come forward, that they actually do if they know of information. It is really sad that people come here and live here for so long, yet ignorant people just group everyone together and assume they are all the same. I hope the family finds some peace.

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