By Mir Hasan Ali
A loud explosion…gasps of fright amid shock…followed by the growing sound of ambulance sirens.
It has happened yet again.
The Jeep Cherokee that rammed into Glasgow International Airport's main terminal building, in the United Kingdom, was the latest attempt of creating massive chaos and terror. The attack did not result in the loss of life and has been linked to the failed car bomb attempt at London's West End shopping and theatre district just two days ago.
There have been no facts or informative blurbs released to the press as of June 30. Nevertheless, it is not rocket science to know where the immediate point of blame will surely fall. The response, too, will be apparent. The Western countries will condemn the attack, security and terror alerts will be elevated, and yet another piece of known freedom will be scraped off the roots of democracy. However, the hushed whispers of disapproval amid the blaring silence from the East will also make its presence uncomfortably felt.
Perhaps that is the problem with the entire scenario. Influential Muslims have been unable to condemn fully the terror attacks that have emerged from within. Starting with the World Trade Center attack in 1993 to the horror that is the 21st century, a stifled response and scripted sympathy is the best reaction produced to date. This has infuriated and frustrated many a person who cannot seem to fathom the reason behind the Muslim populace's inability to take responsibility for the actions of some of their own.
The common retort is that no other society has been forced to apologize for similar actions if another religion or community is linked to such an incident instead of Muslims. Well, not many, if any, terrorists linked to other communities claim it is their God given right to kill others to fight injustice or protect their community.
Lastly, to add to the complication, at their core most Muslims are able to understand the reasons behind the incidents. Whilst they might not agree with it, although many do, it is this understanding that suppresses a valiant denunciation, leaving the impression of a laissez-faire attitude. This becomes incredibly irresponsible when done by prominent Muslims. Since it is this same reaction that plants the seed for future occurrences.
With the majority of the Islamic body being underprivileged and illiterate, they are unable to apply common sense outside of the literal dialogue of the holy book. That, along with the muted responses and irresponsible statements made by their community heads, results in a perceived acceptance of terrorist activities, hence allowing them to be more easily influenced by terror recruiters.
The Islamic nation's frustrations are rooted within the Israel-Palestine conflict and have now spread to various global localities. However, these fights are more politicized and spiteful than evident to the naked eye, a fact known to informed Muslims. Hence, it is important to denounce terrorist activities for the obvious reason of it being a heinous and prohibited act; and also to help prevent future enlisting of the ill-fated mass. After all, playing the role of a peaceful silent majority is irrelevant when the only deeds up for recognition are the loud explosions that were last heard in Glasgow.