In Winooski, Samantha, a 17-year-old, was working at Sarom’s Cafe when she overheard her brother discussing a recent shooting in nearby Burlington that left three Palestinian Americans injured.
Initially thinking it occurred elsewhere in the U.S., she later discovered it happened close to her, sparking concerns about safety, especially for Muslim individuals.
Samantha, along with three other Muslim girls, shared their experiences anonymously in a Winooski High School classroom.
They all wore head coverings, discussing the impact of the shooting on their lives and the adjustments they are making due to heightened fears.
Ifra, another student, expressed her immediate concern, suspecting the incident to be a hate crime.
As the victims and two of the students wore scarves symbolizing their religious and cultural identity, fears of being targeted due to their appearance intensified.
Faith leaders, like Fuad Al-Amoody, vice president of the Islamic Society of Vermont, echoed these concerns, particularly for Muslim girls and women who may stand out due to their traditional clothing.
The incident occurred on Nov. 25 when three 20-year-old students of Palestinian descent were shot by a white man on North Prospect Street.
The victims, Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Aliahmad, met in the West Bank and now attend American universities. Two wore keffiyehs, traditional scarves symbolizing Palestinian identity, during the shooting.
Jason Eaton, 48, faces charges of attempted second-degree murder. While no motive was discussed, there are calls to investigate the incident as a hate crime.
The shooting has raised concerns about the safety of Muslim individuals in Vermont.
The four students in Winooski, originally from Somalia and identifying as Kenyan, expressed shock at the incident, prompting worries among their families.
Samantha, particularly fond of outdoor activities, now modifies her behavior and walks with someone else for safety.
Muslim adults constitute less than 1 percent of Vermont’s population. Winooski, with its diverse school district, educates many refugee and English language learner students.
While the students have generally felt safe, the recent incident has created a sense of unease, prompting discussions about safety measures and concerns for the broader Muslim community in Vermont.
