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Murder of the Faruqis

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Murder of the Faruqis
Shared grave of husband and wife, Ismail al-Faruqi and Lois Lamya al-Faruqi
Shared grave of the Faruqis
LocationWyncote, Pennsylvania, United States
Coordinates40°05′15″N 75°08′40″W / 40.0876364°N 75.1443599°W / 40.0876364; -75.1443599
DateMay 27, 1986; 38 years ago (1986-05-27)
Around 2:00 AM (EST)
Attack type
Double homicide
Injured1 (Anmar el-Zein)
VictimsIsmail al-Faruqi
Lois Lamya al-Faruqi
PerpetratorsJoseph Louis Young (Yusuf Ali)
MotivePotential political motivations, personal vendetta, or robbery gone wrong
VerdictGuilty
ConvictionsJoseph Louis Young
sentenced to death (died in prison of natural causes before execution)
ChargesMurder

The murder of the Faruqis occurred on May 27, 1986, at their home in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, United States. Isma'il Raji al-Faruqi, a prominent Islamic scholar, and his wife, Lois Lamya al-Faruqi (née Lois Rachel Ibsen), a respected art historian known for her contributions to ethnomusicology,[1] were both killed in a brutal attack that drew significant attention[2] due to their academic standing and the nature of the crime.[3] Their daughter, Anmar el-Zein, who was eight months pregnant at the time, survived multiple stab wounds and managed to alert authorities despite severe injuries requiring 200 stitches.[4] She described the assailant as a stocky man wearing a black scarf tied in a "cowboy-robber" style.[5]

Due to al-Faruqi's prominence, the Cheltenham Township Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the FBI. [6] The incident sparked discussions about potential motives, which ranged from political retaliation due to al-Faruqi's outspoken views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to personal vendettas.[7]

Background

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A photograph of Dr. Ismail al-Faruqi
A photograph of Dr. Lois Lamya al-Faruqi
(Left to right): Dr. Ismail al-Faruqi and Dr. Lois Lamya al-Faruqi, noted scholars known for their contributions to Islamic studies and interfaith dialogue.

Isma'il al-Faruqi was a distinguished professor of religion at Temple University, known for his extensive work in Islamic studies and interfaith dialogue. Lois Lamya al-Faruqi was an American scholar and expert on Islamic art and music. She co-authored The Cultural Atlas of Islam with her husband, making significant contributions to understanding Islamic musical culture.[4] Their work in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding was significant, influencing many scholars and students in the field.[8] James Zogby, a former student of al-Faruqi, reflected on the professor's passion for intellectual discourse, mentioning, "Sometimes we were up until 2 a.m. He loved the intellectual discourse. You would have to define every point to the ultimate."[9]

Crime and investigation

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On the evening of May 26, 1986, Ismail al-Faruqi attended an iftar meal with the local chapter of the Muslim Students Association (MSA) and returned home at around 11:00 PM.[4] In the early morning of May 27, 1986, al-Faruqi and his wife were found with multiple stab wounds in their home.[2][4][7]

Al-Faruqi's body was discovered in his bedroom, while Lois Lamya al-Faruqi's body was found at the foot of the stairs.[4] Their 27-year-old daughter, Anmar el-Zein, who was eight months pregnant, was also stabbed multiple times during the attack[2][7] but managed to call the police.[10] She required 200 stitches for wounds to her chest and arms.[4] A 15-inch survival-type knife found near al-Faruqi's body was identified as the murder weapon.[2][11][6] The crime scene indicated a break-in and a violent struggle.[4][12]

The Cheltenham Township Police Department led the investigation, with the FBI assisting due to al-Faruqi's prominence.[2][6] Anmar el-Zein described the attacker as a stocky black man with a "pot belly" wearing a black bandana.[6] Initial theories suggested the murders might have been politically motivated due to al-Faruqi's outspoken views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his association with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.[4][6] According to Hafez Malik, a professor of political science at Villanova University and a longtime friend, al-Faruqi had talked often of threats made against his life, stating, "He had been threatened, no doubt. He told me that (his) life is constantly threatened."[9]

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Arrest and charges

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In January 1987, Joseph Louis Young, also known as Yusuf Ali, was named the main suspect. A fingerprint on a bloody glove at the scene led to Young's arrest.[11][13] A stolen 1986 Grey Honda Accord LX with bloodstains was also found, giving more proof linking the crime to Young.[11]

Before this, detectives in Montgomery County got an anonymous call suggesting they compare the fingerprints at the crime scene with Young's. The prints matched, making Young a suspect.[11]

A police source said Young told officers the killing of al-Faruqi may have had political or religious reasons, not just random violence. The source said Young thought al-Faruqi was "not doing the right thing for the Muslim religion." Young knew al-Faruqi through the Islamic group at Temple University and had planned the murder "for some time."[7]

Young, who had a criminal record and knew the al-Faruqi family, admitted to the crime when questioned by Philadelphia detectives, giving details that matched the evidence. He repeated his confession in front of Montgomery County police.[7][10][11]

Trial

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The trial of Joseph Louis Young started in July 1987.[14] The prosecution showed strong proof linking Young to the crime, including his fingerprints on a glove at the scene and words from witness Anmar el-Zein, who spoke about the events of the night.[10] The defence said Young's confession was forced and pointed to possible helpers, also talking about his emotional state to question his mind at the time of the crime.[15]

On July 10, 1987, the jury found Joseph Louis Young guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Isma'il and Lois Lamya al-Faruqi. He was also found guilty of attempted murder, burglary, trespass, and serious attack. After a separate hearing, the jury decided on death for each murder, saying the serious reasons were stronger than any other points.[15][16]

Appeals and resentencing

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Young's first appeal confirmed his convictions but sent the case back for new sentencing because of problems with the first sentencing instructions. In 1990, a new hearing for sentencing took place,[11] and the jury again decided on death for each murder, agreeing that four serious reasons were present.[16]

Funeral and burial

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On May 30, 1986, about 4,000 people, including important visitors from other countries, gathered at the Masjid Muhammad mosque in West Philadelphia to honor al-Faruqi and his wife, Lois. Speakers gave talks about al-Faruqi as an important person and member of the community. Imam Shamsud-din Ali led the prayers, noting their work for the community.[17]

Friends, associates, and people from the community, many in traditional clothes, were there. The service had Arabic words, prayers, and readings from the Qur'an. Many students and local people came.[17]

After the prayer service, the Faruqis were buried together at Forest Hills Cemetery in Lower Moreland Township, Pennsylvania.[17]

Aftermath

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Young died of natural causes in prison in 1996, before the execution could happen.[18]

Different ideas about the reasons for the murders continued. Some thought it was a political killing because of al-Faruqi's work, while others believed it was a personal act.[19][20] Even with a lot of investigation, the exact reason was not clear.[3]

The case was widely reported, showing the violence of the crime and the investigation and trial that followed. The National Council of Churches' Committee on Christian-Muslim Relations said it felt "great sorrow" over the "shocking and tragic deaths of Drs. Isma'il and Lamya' al-Faruqi." It shared "condolences to the Faruqi family, to their friends and co-workers and to the whole world Muslim community for whom the Faruqis provided international leadership."[21]

A year after the incident, the rest of the Faruqi family sold their home and left the area.[22] In 2011, the house where the murders happened was put up for sale, gaining media interest because of its violent past.[23]

Al-Faruqi's work continues to shape Islamic studies and talks between different faiths. His writings are still an important part of talks on Muslim identity and rights in the U.S. His support for Palestinian matters and his part in groups like the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee have had a lasting effect on how Islam is discussed in schools and politics in America and other places.[24][25][26]

At a meeting at the International Islamic University Malaysia in 2008, it was shared that al-Faruqi's father had prayed for him to become a great teacher and to die as a martyr (shahid), which came true.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "Faruqi, Ismail Raji al- (1986)". The Oxford Dictionary of Islam. Oxford Reference. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  2. ^ a b c d e AP (May 28, 1986). "AROUND THE NATION; Islamic Scholar and Wife Slain in Pennsylvania". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 23, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2024. Alt URL
  3. ^ a b "Assassination motive behind al-Faruqi killings". New Straits Times. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. August 20, 1986. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Fletcher, Charles D. (2015). Muslim-Christian Engagement in the Twentieth Century: The Principles of Interfaith Dialogue and the Work of Isma'il al-Faruqi. I.B. Tauris. p. 213.
  5. ^ "Police suspect local man in scholar's death; not sure of motive". UPI Archives. May 29, 1986. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  6. ^ a b c d e "FBI Joins Probe Into Murder of Islamic Scholar, Wife". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. May 28, 1986. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e Paolantonio, S. A.; Duggan, Paul (1987-01-18). "Statement Is Said to Back Religious-Attack Theory". Philadelphia Inquirer. p. A.8. ProQuest 1831221807.
  8. ^ Yusuf, Imtiyaz (2022). "Ismail Al Faruqi". In Fleet, Kate; Krämer, Gudrun; Matringe, Denis; Nawas, John; Rowson, Everett (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Islam. Vol. 3. Koninklijke Brill NV.
  9. ^ a b Moran, Edward; Locy, Toni; Marriott, Michel; Price, Debbie M; Scism, Leslie; Seymour, Gene (May 28, 1986). "They Led Scholars' Lives". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 3. ProQuest 1829468734. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c O'Bryan, Ruth (July 8, 1987). "Confession Details Stalking, Slaying Of Islamic Scholars". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Joseph Louis Young, a/k/a Yusuf Ali (Court case). Vol. 524 Pa. 373. 1990.
  12. ^ Toth, Anthony B. (November 1986). "Focus on Arabs and Islam". Washington Report on Middle East Affairs.
  13. ^ "Fingerprint led to arrest of al-Faruqi murder suspect". UPI Archives. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. January 17, 1987. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  14. ^ "Black Muslim Charged in Slaying of Islamic Scholar and His Wife". The New York Times. January 18, 1987.
  15. ^ a b "A jury Friday sentenced Joseph Young to death in..." UPI. July 11, 1987. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Joseph Louis Young (aka Yusuf Ali) (Court case). Vol. 536 Pa. 57. 1993.
  17. ^ a b c Eshleman Jr., Russell E. (May 31, 1986). "4,000 Mourners Pray For The Soul Of Slain Islamic Scholar And Wife". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  18. ^ Bell, Adam (March 11, 1996). "Inside the Capitol (Joseph Louis Young dies of natural causes on death row)". The Patriot News.
  19. ^ "Faruqi murders may have been vendetta". UPI Archives. July 30, 1986.
  20. ^ "Zionist backlash against Arab intellectuals". New Straits Times. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. August 21, 1986. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  21. ^ Walz, L. Humphrey (August 11, 1986). "Religion and the Middle East". The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. V (5): 13.
  22. ^ Davis, Bridgett (May 24, 1987). "A Year after Stabbings, Fear Lingers on Street". Philadelphia Inquirer. p. H.25. ProQuest 1831236041. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  23. ^ "Creepy! Philly Family Tries to Sell House Where Couple Was Slashed to Death". ABC News. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. October 27, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  24. ^ Fletcher, Charles D. (2015). Muslim-Christian Engagement in the Twentieth Century: The Principles of Interfaith Dialogue and the Work of Isma'il al-Faruqi. I.B. Tauris. p. 213.
  25. ^ Yusuf, Imtiyaz (2014). "Ismail al-Faruqi's Contribution to the Academic Study of Religion". Islamic Studies. 53 (1–2): 99–115.
  26. ^ Ghamari-Tabrizi, Behrooz (2004). "Loving America and Longing for Home: Isma'il al-Faruqi and the Emergence of the Muslim Diaspora in North America". International Migration. 42 (2): 62–86. doi:10.1111/j.0020-7985.2004.00281.x.
  27. ^ Badri, M. (2014). "Psychological reflections on Ismail al-Faruqi's life and contributions". The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences. 31 (2): 145–152. doi:10.35632/ajis.v31i2.1052.
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