The extremist groups mindlessly commit their barbaric deeds but the whole Muslim community gets the blame
KARACHI: The whole media is abuzz with the news about the horrific attacks in Brussels on March 22, claimed by Daesh. These attacks are reminiscent of the massacre in Paris and just like they did then, Muslims feel for Brussels today, too. As I read the news in the paper about the attacks, I switched on my laptop and sure enough, the whole Internet was talking about how ‘terroristic’ and ‘cowardly’ Muslims are. These comments, among others, were acutely painful — I could not have asked for a worse gift on the day that the Pakistan resolution is celebrated.
Despite the fact that all Muslims condemn these terrorist attacks on foreign lands, there is only little we can do to eradicate the common perception that has so misleadingly been created by the militants. The extremist groups mindlessly commit their barbaric deeds but the whole Muslim community gets the blame.
In these grave times, we cannot do much to save our image, but I would still urge my Muslim brethren to hold onto each other and never miss a chance to exhibit the true teachings of our peaceful religion. Moreover, governments should work together to destroy the safe havens of these militants. They must unite all their forces to save humanity. Also, our youth should be given proper education to prevent them from becoming brainwashed puppets with extremist ideologies.
Aliza Anees
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2016.
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