MUCH of the world is reacting in shock and grief over the massacre at the offices of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo in Gay Paree on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, regrettably enough, some are still trying to contextualise the attack by bringing in the larger issue of provocation in matters of faith, Lion of Islam Islamists'' demonstrated tendency to resort to violence in such situations, and the marginalisation from the mainstream that Moslems in many countries feel despite being perfectly law-abiding.
Of these people, there is a simple question to be asked: in choosing to adopt such an abhorrent method of voicing their disapproval of the publications editorial choices, did the perpetrators of the attack do their religion and its 1.6 billion adherents any sort of positive service? Or have their actions poured yet more fuel on the fires of prejudice and fear that are lighting up in many parts of the West regarding the inherent ''otherness'' of Moslems? |