THREE MUSLIM STUDENTS SHOT TO DEATH

(The Three Victims of Chapel Hill Shooting)

By: Crystal Tudor

The world comes together to mourn the lives of 23-year-old Deah Shaddy Barakat, 21-year-old Yusor Mohammad and 19-year-old Abu-Salha; after they were tragically gunned down over an alleged altercation that was over a parking space. 

Suspect 46-year-old Craig Stephen Hicks, was charged for the murder of these three Muslim individuals. When he was arraigned in court he claimed to understand the charges that he was facing. 

Was This a Gruesome Crime Inflicted by Hate?

Even though Chapel Hill Police Officers claim to not know for sure if this was a crime that had something to do with hate and they're looking into the matter, that just isn't enough! instead of "looking into the matter" what are some suggestions on how to prevent gruesome crimes like this from happening in the first place?

(The Wedding Photo The Newlywed Couple Never Got To See)

When I saw this beautiful wedding photo of the young newlywed couple, I almost broke out in tears. 

This picture illustrates the love and close bond that 23-year-old Deah Shaddy Barakat, and 21-year-old Yusor Mohammad found in each other. For there lives to end in such a tragic way causes my heart to ache. 

Sometimes I have to ask myself who should be qualified as a terrorist? Someone who comes from a foreign country and plots to get rid of a certain group or thing because it goes against his/her belief's? or someone who has so much hate, anger, and no understanding towards something that they're not used to? or does one consists of both? I believe that the 3 victims of the Chapel Hill shooting, were also victims of another crime which was TERROR. 

My heart goes out to their friends and families. I also left my Blog open to the public because I would love to hear some of the world's reaction to this tragedy. 

"Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you." 

                                                                         - John Green

WHO IS KAYLA MUELLER?

By: Crystal Tudor

26-year-old Kayla Jean Mueller has been a hot topic for the past couple of days, after she was taken captive by a notorious terrorist group known as ISIS. 

Ms. Mueller is the true definition of a Humanitarian; a former graduate from Northern Arizona University, she has traveled to different parts of the world. Mueller has devoted a great amount of her time trying to promote human welfare in third world countries. She has volunteered in Africa, Israel, Palestine and also spent time in France as an "au pair" which is someone who operates as a caretaker in a foreign country's household in exchange for lodging. 

According to an article written by Ruth Sherlock for The Telegraph, the months leading up to her abduction Mueller "had moved to a Turkish town on the Syrian border, and was doing everything in her power to help civilians whose lives had been destroyed in the neighboring country's war." Mueller was more than eager to be a part of rebuilding the lives of innocent civilians that were destroyed by war battles. 

Now that we have some background information on who Kayla Jean Mueller is, now is time to brainstorm on what really happened to her. 

Her family has kept her name out of the media in an attempt to keep her safe. 

Mueller has spent approximately a "year in a half as a prisoner of the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham separated from her own family,.." according to an article in The New Yorker by Amy Davidson. On Friday 7th, 2015 the terrorist group ISIS reported she was killed when the prison she was held captive in was bombed by a "Crusader Coalition Aircraft."

Even though this group reported that Mueller was killed, her death has yet to be officially confirmed. Which leaves her family with a little hope of her being alive. It was allegedly reported that ISIS demanded 6.6 million dollars for Mueller's release. The issue with ISIS's claim of Mueller being killed in some type of bombing is extremely sketchy, especially since this group is always making claims, and some were proven to be false. 

Maybe Mueller is still alive, and her death was just another attempt ISIS used as a way to spark a reaction for U.S. officials. One thing I know for sure is that the on going investigation on her whereabouts should not end until there is a concrete answer to what really happened to Kayla Jean Mueller. In the meanwhile let's keep her and her family in our prayers. 

Works Cited: 

Sherlock, R. (2015, February 6). Kayla Mueller: Profile of American aid worker kidnapped by Isil. Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11397219/Kayla-Mueller-profile-of-American-aid-worker-kidnapped-by-Isil.html

Davidson, A. (2015, February 6). Kayla Mueller’s Calling. Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/kayla-muellers-calling