Lessons Sri Lanka Can Learn From The Paris Attack
By Samal Vimukthi Hemachandra –November 16, 2015
Samal Vimukthi Hemachandra
LAnother terrorist attack has captured the attention of the world. More than 120 people are dead. ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) has taken the responsibility for this barbaric attack. Eye witnesses say that gunmen shouted “Allahu Akbar”, before shooting. Unlike most terrorists’ attacks, in which ISIS killed hostages one by one. They did not demand anything. When they knew they were going to get captured, they killed themselves by using explosive vests. It was very clear that they came with a very clear idea that is to kill innocent people who were having a good time with their family and friends after a usual busy week. By killing these innocent people, they also wanted Europe to taste their brutal killings in Middle East which shocked the world. World leaders have issued customary statements using words like “state of war”, “evil of terrorism”, “shocked but resolute, in sorrow but unbowed”, “we are with you” etc. Many landmarks have been illuminated with French colors. Facebook created a new tool to show the solidarity with French people.
How can we understand all these ‘drama’? Talking to BBC Radio 4, Peter Neumann, Professor of Security Studies, King’s College London stated “[…] it is not only about people being killed it is about creating a political effect. What worries me the most is that we will see in France and other European countries a polarisation, with different extremists egging each other on. People on the far right trying to take advantage. It’s about dividing societies.” As he predicts, from here onwards, in France, every Muslim will be treated as a terrorist. Therefore even the most innocent Muslim will be contempt to conscious about his identity? Finally, the society will be divided into two camps. In other words, this will mark the boundaries between Us and Them. Extreme rights will attempt to mobilize the ‘us-ness’ and terrorists will operate on ‘other-ness’.
The main victims in this catastrophe are innocent people. ISIS killed 120 innocent people. (Un)surprisingly the largest refugee camp in Paris has been in flames. So far no one knows who caused it. May be it was a coincident or maybe it was a retaliation. Poland stopped taking migrants[1]. British Prime minister David Cameron has warned “We must recognise that however strong we are, however much we prepare, we in the UK face the same threat.”[2] To induce more fear, ISIS has claimed that they have sent their 4000 terrorists to Europe through refugees[3]. As it seems, both camps are acting quickly to strengthen their camps. This is where people who preach freedom through nonviolent actions, experience ambiguity. Both camps will ridicule them for being impracticable. Read More
