Locals Show Solidarity For Slain Fremont Mother
KTVU.com

FREMONT -- Men and women of various religions covered their heads with scarves, yarmulkes or turbans Monday in solidarity with an Afghan woman who was gunned down while wearing a traditional Muslim veil, an unsolved murder that has sowed fear among immigrants in Fremont.

Alia Ansari, a 37-year-old mother of six, was gunned down Oct. 19 in front of her 3-year-old child while walking to pick up her other children from school.

Police are investigating the case as a possible hate crime but they have not determined whether the killer was motivated by the fact that Ansari wore a "hijab" -- the traditional head covering worn by Muslim women.

Organizers of Monday's observance called on people throughout the San Francisco Bay Area to cover their heads at work or school to honor and foster comfort with religious or ethnic difference.

In Fremont, home to the nation's largest Afghan community, city officials -- some also covering their heads -- gathered in a city park in the rain alongside about 100 people of various religions.

"It's a show of respect," said Fremont Mayor Bob Wasserman. "We have a community that's proud of its diversity, and we honor that."

No arrests have been made in Ansari's killing. But a 27-year-old man has been held on an unrelated warrant since the day of the killing and has been labeled a "person of interest," said Fremont Police Chief Craig Steckler. He said the department is still considering the possibility it was a hate crime.

"We won't tolerate hate crimes in the city of Fremont," Steckler said.

The case has left city officials and local residents concerned about the safety of their community.

"Initially, there was just shock and concern for the children, but as we get beyond that, questions about safety take over," Wasserman said.

"People are afraid," said Gihan Mansour, a native of Egypt who has lived in Fremont for eight years and wears the hijab daily. "It's sad, because we used to feel so safe here. And it's scary to have this happen and not know why."

It's scary to think the person responsible for Ansari's murder could still be on the loose in Fremont, said Moina Shaik, a Pakistani immigrant and Fremont resident.

"This really put us on edge," she said.

Mansour said it's important for people to feel comfortable showing their religious affiliation. That's why she never considered taking off her scarf, despite concerns about safety.

"I will still walk around like this," she said motioning to her scarf covering her hair and pinned tight around her face. "It helps people see us, get to know us, and start to see it as normal."
 

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