Times have changed! No doubt about that. As the terrorist attack on worshippers in New Zealand mosques hits close to home. The horrific attack is a stark reminder of the fact that time has changed for the worse, and those in position of responsibility need to do something to rectify it.
Though the barbaric event happened so far away in the Pacific, it still feels so close all over the world! The global world has become a small village, especially with the advent of faster and widespread uncensored communications. But these communication media, which are usually beneficial have few downsides too as shown by the New Zealand mosque attacker’s online radicalization.
We go to prayers – especially to Friday prayers as well, and so we are in the same situation and so all of us now feel vulnerable to such acts.
Some say, it is time for introspection. Others justify it as retribution for the acts by Muslim extremists. But explaining the reality is not as simple and not as straightforward as it seems.
What can be done to change this atmosphere of hatred and bigotry by some?
In the short term, it seems we cannot do anything, because these things are not in our control. To fault one side or the other is easy but not a solution.
There are bad people on all sides just as there are good people everywhere. The bad people who can rightly to be called extremists are on all sides.
In many instances, these are the people who have been left behind and are either uneducated and/or have not kept pace with the rapidly evolving technological advancements and industrializations.
These people are disadvantaged and economically deprived and can be called “have-nots.”
Their struggle is against the people who have advanced technologically and are prosperous and who can be rightly labeled as “haves”.
And when an immigrant who comes from some other place, does better than the natives of that country, it causes resentment among these people. That resentment is exploited by politicians and activists of the society.
There may be other reasons for the rise in violent extremism.
In India Narendra Modi and his followers have been deliberately fueling anti-Muslim sentiments. In Europe, far right politicians have also exploited immigration. In the U.S., President Trump’s immigration policies have not helped.
The politicians follow their short-sighted agenda and exploit the vulnerable “have-nots” of that society. That is the pitfall of democracy.
And unfortunately, that is the price for “democracy” – considered the best governing system – that we all have to pay.
No matter what we do or do not do, the politicians of this world are going to use this easy tool of exploitation, that gives them advantage and easy path to victory.
If we analyze this situation all around the world, we see a similar pattern. Whether it is the Mullah in Pakistan trying to establish his control and leadership, or some leaders in the most advanced country, or the world’s largest democracy, all of them do things this with political goals in their minds.
The best solution to this problem seems to be that moderates all over pursue ways to fight the extremist mindset.
Unfortunately, until that battle is won, a lot of bloodshed and senseless killings would continue to take place.
In the short-term we need to have safety measures, which might involve doing away with open gate policy at mosques, churches and synagogues!
We would need security with few people volunteering to guard while others are praying! We would need armed and trained security guards at each Masjid entrance and/or scanning devices to go through to enter the mosque.
That is the price of freedom and democracy that we all will have to pay.
On the political horizon, the leadership that New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has displayed with her compassionate and thoughtful reaction to the Christchurch mosque attacks is an example. Her cabinet is also trying to tighten gun control laws.
But politicians around the world will have to make their efforts and speak the language that unites people and serves all humanity.
