Students Hold Ceremony for North Carolina Shooting Victims

RSDM students held a moment of silence for Muslim students killed last month in a North Carolina shooting.

When Dinah Jammal learned about the North Carolina shootings of a Muslim dental school student and his wife, she turned to her husband and said,“That could have been us.’’

Two of the victims, Deah Barakat, a student at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry and his wife, Yusor Abu-Salha, were a married Muslim couple pursuing careers in medicine, just like Jammal and her spouse. Abu-Salha’s younger sister, Razan Abu-Salha, was also killed by the shooter, who had argued with the trio over a parking space. But the victims’ families, and others, believe the murder was an anti-Muslim hate crime.

Jammal, vice-president of the Student Government Association, and about 75 other RSDM students gathered last month for a moment of silence to honor the victims. “This is a huge tragedy that hits close to home,’’ said Dean Cecile Feldman, who spoke at the ceremony, which was held by the association.

Dean Feldman echoed thoughts she expressed in a letter to the RSDM community a few days after the killings. At the ceremony, both she and Jammal encouraged students to learn more about the life and work of Barakat, who raised funds for a dental relief project for Syrian refugees and was remembered by faculty and classmates for his empathy, generosity and “1,000-watt smile.’’

“Look up some information about him,’’ urged Jammal, a third-year student who never met Barakat. “He was just such a cool guy. He was just like all of us.’’

In her letter to RSDM students, Dean Feldman wrote, “Regardless of race, religion or ethnicity, we all share the same goals and aspirations. The amount of effort, sleepless nights, tears and sweat that go into being a dental student is an experience that is truly unique and only understood within our collective student body. We are sure the memories Deah experienced during his short time in dental school were similar, if not exactly the same as our own, and for this, we are all truly connected.’’

She added, “At the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, our diversity is our strength.  Our values emphasize not just tolerating and respecting our differences, but celebrating them.’’

Dean Feldman told the group that she had reached out to UNC dental school Dean Jane A. Weintraub to express sorrow, support and sympathy on behalf of the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.

The RSDM community will also be sending a hand-written card created by third-year student Brian Meulner, who is also an artist, for students to sign.

The Student Government Association also plans to collect donations for a memorial fund in honor of Barakat and Abu-Salaha.