Three Muslim-American students were murdered in North Carolina ("Funeral set for 3 killed in Chapel Hill shooting," Feb. 12). But while Charlie Hebdo triggered transnational protests, here the silence among Americans causes one to shake one's head.
Maybe this shows the bigotry of Americans? No. That would ignore President Barack Obama's strident rejection of maligning Islam. It would ignore that America's promise attracts Muslim immigrants year after year. And it would ignore the publication of this very letter.
Maybe Muslims are getting payback for Islam's violent culture? No. That would ignore a Berkeley study noting, "Muslim countries average 2.4 murders per annum per 100,000 people [versus] 7.5 in non-Muslim countries. ... More Muslims, less homicide."
Whatever the explanation, the loss and reaction are tragic. Two weeks before this shooting, one of the victims tweeted, "It's so freaking sad to hear people saying we should 'kill Jews' or 'Kill Palestinians.' As if that's going to solve anything SMH." Yes, indeed, SMH — shake my head.
Imam Naseem Mahdi, Silver Spring
The writer is national vice president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA.