| Murdered Deaf Student a Muslim | |
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Last Monday, About's Guide to Deafness/Hard of Hearing reported on a murder at Gallaudet University, a liberal arts college in Washington, D.C. for deaf and hard of hearing students. The victim, 19-year-old Benjamin Varner, was stabbed to death in his dorm room. His was the second murder at the school in the past four months.
According to his father, Benjamin was a Muslim convert who "wanted to marry a Muslim woman and raise a family." His interest in Islam began when he was 13 years old. He read the Quran and attended an Islamic Center back home in San Antonio, Texas. He was described as a "spiritual person for his age," who earned pocket money by helping elderly neighbors with their yard work.
Ben's family had planned to bury him "with his Quran" in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. However, Ben had wanted to be buried in the Muslim tradition, so the family agreed that the Muslim community of San Antonio could take care of his washing and burial arrangements. Ben was buried in an Islamic cemetery near San Marcos, Texas.
At this point, there are no suspects in custody for Ben's murder, nor for the murder of another student, in the same dormitory, in September. You can follow the continuing story in the Washington Post. Please also visit the links at right for more information about Muslims in the deaf/hard of hearing community.
Inna li-lahi wa inna li-layhi raji'uun. To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.
