Displaying items by tag: Muslim

Friday, 11 December 2015 11:10

Zak Husein: A Life By Example

It's been more than three days since the shooting death of 21-year-old Zakaeria (Zak) Husein who was shot in the chest during a robbery at his brother's pizza shop in Akron.

Family and friends have used social media as an outlet to share stories and remember the University of Akron student as a kind individual who was devoted to his faith as a Muslim.

It was clear to see the impact he had on friends and family members. Hundreds attended a prayer service for Zak at the Islamic Center of Akron and Kent this week and his Facebook page is flooded with with messages, describing the young man as a thoughtful, kind, accepting and genuine individual who had a bright future ahead.

"Zak is one of, if not the, nicest guys I have ever met," said Amal Almahd, Zak's cousin and president of the Muslim Student Association at the University of Akron.

But in the midst of many positive comments, one specific remark stood out to Zak's cousin and Muslim Student Association (MSA) President Amal Almahd. She said the comment, attached to a picture of Zak, referenced the young man as a Muslim "waiting to be radicalized."

"It just hurt me so much to see that the person went and even took his picture to make such a hateful comment."

While the comment was hurtful, Almahd believes the memories shared of Zak's life has been able to counteract the verbal attacks targeting Muslims.

"Through Zak's actions, I think everyone could see that whatever hateful comments, or whatever Donald Trump and anyone is saying, is completely wrong," said Almahd. "If anything, he (Zak) really was the best example of a Muslim."

Zak was studying international business at UA and was an active member of MSA. He was shot and killed during a robbery at Premium New York Style Pizza on Glenwood Avenue Monday night.

Akron police released surveillance video of the robbery to help track down the gunman who was wearing all black and a mask. Husein can clearly be seen handing over the money to the robbery suspect. Originally , the suspect was described as a black male, but police later confirmed that they were not ruling out the possibility that the suspect was a woman.

Zak's family has offered a $50,000 reward for anyone with information that would lead to the conviction of the person responsible in the fatal shooting.

More than $3,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe account that has been set up to help Zak's family pay for funeral expenses.

Previous Coverage: 

VIDEO 21-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Akron

 

 

Published in Local