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American-Muslim Died On Flight 175
LOS ANGELES, Sept 20 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Touri Bolourchi, an Iranian woman and one of many Muslims who died in the attacks on September 11th, was on United Airlines Flight 175.
Touri Bolourchi, 69, immigrated to the United States with her husband in 1979, is a mother of two daughters, Neda and Roya.
She was living with her husband, Akbar, and daughter, Neda, in Los Angeles. She flew from Los Angeles a few weeks ago to visit her daughter and grandsons in Boston, Massachusetts.
Touri had changed reservations back to Los Angeles several times before finally settling on United flight 175. Because she had lost two relatives in previous airplane crashes, Touri feared flying.
When watching images of the plane crashing into the World Trade Center, Touri's husband was shocked when he later learned that his wife was on board.
"I saw … the horrible thing. I couldn't believe it," he said. Touri and her husband have been married for 42 years.
"In one moment, the end of it all," Akbar said.
"That's the most horrific thing about it, that she was so scared of airplanes and we weren't with her," Neda said.
"The only thing I wish is that she died before hitting the tower because I didn't want her to suffer. So I really hope she died before hitting the tower."
Touri's daughter, Roya, and her grandsons flew from Boston to Los Angeles so that they could attend Touri's eulogy at the Los Angeles Islamic center where services were held.
"True Muslims don't believe in killing to prove what they believe in," said Bobby Turan, Touri Bolourchi's grandson. "I'm proud of being Iranian, and I'm proud of being a Muslim. If that's going to put me in any sort of danger, then I have to accept it because I'm not going to deny who I am."
The Bolourchis said they are focusing on feelings of love for Touri instead of hatred of the hijackers.
"I want to spend my time remembering the good things; I want to honor her spirit," Neda said.
Among memories of his wife that Akbar said he would never forget was "The last time she hugged me and the last goodbye."
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