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>.
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!
ReplyDeleteWow, 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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