New Zealand terror attack: Civilisation clash or the act of maniacs?

Armed police following a shooting at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, March 15, 2019. [PHOTO/REUTERS]

Two weeks ago, a Caucasian terrorist attacked worshipers during their weekly Friday prayers in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. New Zealand is known as a very peaceful nation in the furthest end of the Pacific Ocean.

The attack was a chilling experience, not only to Muslims, but people of all faiths around the globe. Jacinta Arden, the Prime Minister of New Zealand said regarding the attacker, “He sought many things from his act of terror, but one is notoriety. And that is why you will never hear me mention his name. He is a terrorist. He is a criminal.

"He is an extremist. But, when I speak, he will be nameless”. All the world leaders expressed a feeling of horror and shock. The attacker also streamed the whole episode live on Facebook. This live transmission of gory images is probably the most chilling aspect of the despicable act.

Even more disturbing than the attack itself is the reaction of far-right Australian Senator Fraser Annings who had sparked outrage when after the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, he claimed that; “would have been victims of that terror attack, usually are the perpetrators.” Implying the Muslims are to blame because the terrorists are generally attributed to Islam, but the event in New Zealand has proven that terrorism is not a domain for people who claim to be Muslims.

Roman Catholics

In fact, there is no correlation between being a Muslim and being a terrorist. Just like David Yallop in his book  ‘In God’s Name’  the account of how Pope John Paul 1 died mysteriously in 1978,  he wrote; there are people who were born Roman Catholics, but have never been Christians.

There are also people who were born Muslims and claim to be strict adherents but they are far away from the basic tenets of Islam. Islam forbids even in conventional warfare the killing of women, children and the elderly and those that don’t pose any threat.

The intentions of the lone terrorist who murdered 50 people and injured more than 40 others is definitely to create discord and cause a conflict between people of different faiths. But this attack is not really isolated.

The atrocities in New Zealand highlight three emerging trends in the West: Attacks against Muslim targets, the use of social media as a platform for terrorists to share livestream videos, and the violent targeting of houses of worship.

Since the Friday attack, copycats have emerged and many Mosques in the western hemisphere have been attacked. 

On the same day of the Christchurch shootings, an elderly man going to perform his Friday prayer was attacked by two young white extremists.

 Therefore, places of worship have become an easy target and that is because Muslims generally don’t guard their places of worship, considered some of the safest places to be.

Their sorrow

Unfortunately, the reality is quite different now. These attacks against places of worship are causing angst amongst Muslim minorities in the Western world.

The rise of the far right and inflammatory statements from leaders like Donald Trump are exacerbating the situation, making it is easier for these extreme right terrorists to perpetrate such heinous acts while  assuming they have approval for their actions.

With every pain, fortunately, something positive comes out. The families of the victims obviously are aggrieved and nothing can compensate their loss.

But the overwhelming support and show of love by the authorities in New Zealand demonstrated that hatred can be defeated by responding in kindness and love.

When US President Donald Trump called the Prime Minister in New Zealand to ask how he can help, she responded by saying “Show love to the Muslim minorities in America”. To me that statement is enough to earn Ms Jacinta Arden a Nobel Peace Prize.

The violent attack in Christchurch has created a new bond between Muslim and non-Muslim communities in that small pacific nation. School children performed traditionally revered haka dances to express their sorrow, but also show support to the families of their school mates who died during the attack.

The victims of the Christchurch may be dead or wounded  but the ripple effect of that sad event might be a reason for communities to embrace each other, forge unity and create a strong bond of love.

 Mr Guleid is the Executive Director of the Frontier Counties Development Council