Shafi Khan, a self-described friend of the the three Muslim students murdered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, appeared on CNN’s “CNN Newsroom” and blamed Republican Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Fox News for “dehumanizing Muslims.” (RELATED: Police: Parking Dispute Possible Motive In Shooting Death Of Three Muslim Students)
KHAN: Speaking as an American Muslim, I can tell you that we can’t deny there’s a sentiment in the community that we feel that we were being targeted for our faith. There is certain sections of the media and political apparatus that are constantly dehumanizing Muslims. And I want to take a minute and ask people like Fox News and Bobby Jindal to stop dehumanization of Muslims. It’s really, really starting to take a toll.
Last week an elected official named John Bennett whose a state senator, said Islam is a cancer that needs to be cut out of society. And the Republican Party establishment came out and made a point to say that we stand by him. These people need to reflect sincerely about what they’re doing to the social cohesion of this country. Imagine if someone had said that about the Jewish community.
And the important point is that black lives matter, white lives matter and Muslim lives matter, all lives matter. We have to start putting this point across to the community.
Initial reports indicate that the murderer, 46-year-old Craig Hicks, killed the three students over a parking dispute and espoused liberal political views, not conservative views.