Opinion

Terrorism strikes Sri Lanka!

May 05, 2019
Terrorism strikes Sri Lanka!

Hussein Shobokshi

As in Christchurch, New Zealand, terrorism has chosen another island nation. More than 300 people were killed and dozens were injured in a series of terrorist acts in different hotels and churches on the island of Sri Lanka. A peaceful country, located south of India, Sri Lanka enjoys a 97 percent literacy rate, the highest in South Asia, and is an amazing mix of religions, including Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. The island, which produces the finest tea in the world, was colonized by the Dutch, Portuguese and finally by Britain.

In 1960, Ms. Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world’s first non-hereditary female head of government when she was elected Prime Minster of Sri Lanka. And, of course, the country is world famous for its precious stones, especially the Ceylon royal blue sapphire.

Now the news comes that a terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the recent bloodshed. It has a new name but spreads the same destructive poison as Daesh (the self-proclaimed IS), Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda. I do not know how many times I have written against acts of terrorism and with every bloody incident the same questions arise again and again. Is there any hope that we can eradicate this scourge? Have we really done all that we can? The cancerous tumor will continue to grow until the blood is cut off.

|After the Second World War, the German people analyzed their position on Nazism and criminalized it to prevent its circulation and growth. The issue of extremism has not yet been dealt with in the Muslim world. In some places, “takfiri” literature is still defended as part of the “heritage” and “treasure of the nation”.

If we claim the discourse of takfir and cannot tolerate others, then how can we convince other people of our good intentions? This is a painful question and the answer is even more painful.

Sri Lanka suffered from separatist terrorist attacks from the Tamil Tigers, but that group was politically eliminated in 2009, after its terrorist ideology was imported from abroad and grown by local terrorists.

Terrorist thought remains one. There is still a long way to go in the fight against terrorism, and chemotherapy remains the way to deal with tumors of cancerous extremism.


May 05, 2019
600 views
HIGHLIGHTS
Opinion
20 days ago

Saudi Arabians remain unfazed by the 'buzz' of fools

Opinion
35 days ago

We have celebrated Founding Day for three years - but it has been with us for 300

Opinion
50 days ago

Why is FinTech flourishing in Saudi Arabia?