Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
The terrorist attack on French magazine Charlie Hebdo, which killed 12 people, will not be the last in a spate of attacks on journalists, whether in the West or East. The press freedom report of 2014 published by US-based Freedom House is full of such murders, beheadings, imprisonment and arbitrary arrest of journalists all over the world, especially in countries ravaged by political conflicts.
It is commendable that Muslim organisations in France have been quick to express their shock and dismay at the slaughter of journalists and security officers. In addition to strongly condemning the attack, they expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and called upon all imams and preachers to speak out loud against terrorism. They said these criminals are damaging the image of Islam with their heinous act and by terrorising people in the name of their faith although no faith, including Islam, endorses acts of extremism and mindless violence.
Strong condemnations also came from Qatar, the GCC and other Arab-Muslim states which consider targeting innocent civilians incompatible with the teachings of all faiths.
The carnage in Paris is not only an attack on France, but a crime against Islam. Islam is a religion of tolerance that never accepts violence, murder and revenge. It is an injustice to accuse Islam of terror instead of those supporting terrorism and the culture of extremism adopted by extremist groups in the West and the East.
It may also be noted that the international community has contributed to terrorism as some countries have provided terrorist originations shelter and a platform to serve their foreign policies, while some others are either importing oil from the Islamic State or providing it with weapons.
So where is the international community in this? Or what is the role of UN Security Council and their stance? Europe today has realised that it is not safe from terrorism, as some of its nationals are using violence and are embracing the ideology of extremism.
It is true that they are Muslims but at the end of the day they are European citizens, born, brought up, educated and working in Europe. And the question is whether these people will be reintegrated into the society with education, dialogue or will be met with denial, isolation, arrests and deportations.
The Peninsula
