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An Arab-Christian’s murder in Oklahoma has exposed an underside of deadly American tensions targeting US citizens of Arabic descent. His alleged assailant was a man who repeatedly harassed his family with anti-Muslim, anti-Arab language.
Khalid Jabara’s killing has caused concern about attitudes in the U.S.
“Here, in the United States, Mr. Jabara and his family became targets of violence and hatred not because of their faith, but because of their Middle Eastern identity and culture,” In Defense of Christians executive director Kirsten Evans said Aug. 17.
“Sadly, Middle Eastern Christians caught in the crossfire of the sectarian conflict plaguing the Middle East have also become vulnerable scapegoats for hatred and violence born of political and cultural tensions here in the United States.”
On Aug. 12, Jabara called police to report that his neighbor, Stanley Vernon Majors, had a gun in his hand and that he was scared about what might happen, his sister Victoria Jabara Williams said in a statement.
The police said there was nothing they could do because the man had returned to his home.
Soon after police left, Jabara stepped out of his house. Police say his 61-year-old neighbor was waiting for him, according to a CNN and Washington Post report.
Majors fatally shot Jabara, 37. The assailant was arrested and will be charged with first-degree murder.
Jabara’s sister said the man’s history was well-known.
“This suspect had a history of bigotry against our family. He repeatedly attacked our ethnicity and perceived religion, making racist comments.
“He often called us ‘dirty Arabs,’ ‘filthy Lebanese,’ ‘Aye-rabs,’ and ‘Mooslems’,” said Williams.
The man also commented against Mexicans and blacks, she said.
“Our brother’s death could have been prevented,” she added. “This man was a known danger.”
Source
- Crux
- Image: blogbalardi.com
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News category: World.
