Home-grown Terrorists
Right after 9/11, some of my American friends asked me to explain why the terrorists hate the US so much. Not that I was an expert in this subject. . . As it happened, I was a muslim person they knew/trusted and they wanted to get in on the DL.
However, I was probably just as unprepared for 9/11 as the rest of them (the attack as well as the repercussions). Having lived many years in muslim countries, I had seen and heard some of the rhetoric of islamic fundamentalism (Palestine, US troops in the Holy Land, etc). These people organized protests, burned some flags but in general seemed to restrict themselves to unrest in their home countries. In addition, I didn't really take the small group of terrorists (like Bin Laden) as a serious threat to the US because I didn't know they were capable of such large-scale devastation. Also, it didn't occur to me that the terrorists would misdirect the issues that they have with US foreign policy and direct attacks against civilians on US soil. But, hey I wasn't the only one who didn't see it coming.
The London bombings bring up similar issues now that it turns out most of the bombers were homegrown Britishers (The Mystery Man,The Family Man,The Cricketer,The Teenager). Reading through their profiles and the state of Multiculturism in UK, I can see how these people might have been pre-disposed to the rhetoric of Islamic fundamentalism and the nihilistic philosophy of terrorism. There is a sequence of emotions that I feel when I think about the terrorists starting with disgust (how could they murder and maim innocent civilians?), anger (what right do they have to act in the name of islam?) and frustration (how does this help muslims in any way?). Finally, I settle for pity (Isn't it sad that their terrorist leaders instead of providing a constructive outlet for the energies of these young people ask them to forfeit their lives and take as many other people as they can?). Try as I might, I can not understand what illogic drives the terrorist masterminds and what kind of delusional thinking would lead them to believe that this strategy is helping anyone, particularly muslims.
In conclusion, I can think of nothing that can justify or even explain their actions . . .
However, I was probably just as unprepared for 9/11 as the rest of them (the attack as well as the repercussions). Having lived many years in muslim countries, I had seen and heard some of the rhetoric of islamic fundamentalism (Palestine, US troops in the Holy Land, etc). These people organized protests, burned some flags but in general seemed to restrict themselves to unrest in their home countries. In addition, I didn't really take the small group of terrorists (like Bin Laden) as a serious threat to the US because I didn't know they were capable of such large-scale devastation. Also, it didn't occur to me that the terrorists would misdirect the issues that they have with US foreign policy and direct attacks against civilians on US soil. But, hey I wasn't the only one who didn't see it coming.
The London bombings bring up similar issues now that it turns out most of the bombers were homegrown Britishers (The Mystery Man,The Family Man,The Cricketer,The Teenager). Reading through their profiles and the state of Multiculturism in UK, I can see how these people might have been pre-disposed to the rhetoric of Islamic fundamentalism and the nihilistic philosophy of terrorism. There is a sequence of emotions that I feel when I think about the terrorists starting with disgust (how could they murder and maim innocent civilians?), anger (what right do they have to act in the name of islam?) and frustration (how does this help muslims in any way?). Finally, I settle for pity (Isn't it sad that their terrorist leaders instead of providing a constructive outlet for the energies of these young people ask them to forfeit their lives and take as many other people as they can?). Try as I might, I can not understand what illogic drives the terrorist masterminds and what kind of delusional thinking would lead them to believe that this strategy is helping anyone, particularly muslims.
In conclusion, I can think of nothing that can justify or even explain their actions . . .
posted by Bdeshini at 11:42 AM
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