Daily Times

The terrorist attacks in Paris this weekend have not only jolted the whole world but have also indicated the alarming danger of fundamentalist groups to dismantle world peace so as to meet their nefarious designs. Around 140 innocent people lost their lives with hundreds of others injured and the death toll is feared to rise because many casualties are critical. Preliminary investigations suggest that a few suicide bombers blew themselves up at a concert hall to cause a series of high-density bomb blasts with indiscriminate firing inside a nearby club, located around the stadium hosting the match between France and Germany. The French president and his cabinet members were present there but fortunately remained unhurt as security agencies moved them to a safe place after hearing the sounds of the blasts that created panic in and around the stadium.
Widespread condemnation from all around the world is still in progress to express sympathy for the innocent French people. Islamic State (IS), which is renowned for such cruel and savage attacks, has claimed responsibility for these attacks and has also threatened to attack London and Washington in the next phase of its attacks. These attacks have drawn the attention of the world’s leaders towards the Syrian crisis, which has undermined the peace process not only in the Middle Eastern region — the spill over effects have reached the whole world. Analysts suggest that these attacks are in response to the French policy on Syria as it has launched a series of attacks on IS positons in the areas considered to be strongholds of this fundamentalist organisation that portrays itself as the true custodian of Islam and is regarded highly controversial even by Islamic leaders and most Muslim states. Friday’s attack proved to be the worst attacks in France after the French magazine Charlie Hebdo was attacked after printing blasphemous cartoons. These attacks clearly indicate the serious security lapse by the country’s security agencies and also suggest that suicide attacks just cannot be averted.
Although the world’s leaders have highlighted the need to press for the election process in Syria through which power can be easily transferred to a legitimate government duly elected by the Syrian people this plan cannot be easily implemented as many regional countries have stakes there. It must be remembered the ties between Russia and the US soared when Russian planes attacked IS forces to help back the Assad regime as Russia and Iran are still advocating for this government. As far as IS is concerned, it is considered to be the most powerful terrorist group in the world with many millions of dollars in assets and is actively recruiting youths from all around the world even from western countries. These young people are being lured in through the ideology of this organisation.
France is the home of many Algerian Muslims and has always been considered vulnerable as many fundamentalist groups have penetration there. Although the French president has vowed to pursue IS to avenge these attacks as he has the support of all other European nations along with the US but it still remains to be seen whether a military solution to this crisis will be enough to root out such fundamentalism, which many analysts are linking with the unjustified policies of the west towards Muslims. It is heartening to note that western leaders have not linked these attacks with the religion of Islam and the majority of peace loving Muslims, and have condemned the terrorists and fundamentalists. However, at the same time, Muslims all over the world are feeling the backlash now. Naturally, they will have to face the wrath of local communities, which may marginalise them in the days to come.
At the same time, refugees fleeing from Syria will be in hot water as all European countries are likely to view them with suspicion, which may revert their position of accepting them in their homelands. The fate of these stranded people, who had to flee from Syria as the civil war continues there, is still uncertain. It must be remembered that many European countries had to open their borders after first denying them when one Syrian child lost his life in the ocean when hundreds of thousands of these refuges were stranded in the sea after fleeing from Syria in search of safe shelter. What is more glaring is that this savage incident will make the lives of Muslims even more miserable as all these terrorists are suspected of being Muslims. The Indian media has compared these attacks to the Mumbai attacks, which is an example of irresponsible analysis but such speculations, controversial comments and editorials are likely to be published in future. This will not only escalate the tension but will also be aimed at targeting Muslims. It is now the duty of all Muslim leaders to dispel such impressions by denouncing such attacks and clarifying the position of the Muslim world by saying that all Muslim countries detest such ideologies of fundamentalism. They must make it clear to the whole world that Islam is a religion of peace as its name suggests and no discriminatory action should be taken against Muslims who are facing a difficult time now owing to the nefarious tasks being carried out be only a few individuals who have been ill-directed; they do not reflect the whole Muslim world at all.
Muslim countries should also join the world’s alliance against IS, which is not only spoiling peace everywhere but is also undermining the religion. Conscious reaction by the Muslim world will not only spare us from the clash of civilisations but will also negate the designs of fundamentalists all around the world, fundamentalists who may belong to other religions and ideologies as well. Apparently, the reactions of all Muslim leaders is tantamount to mere lip service as much more needs to be done in this regard to salvage the image of Islam and also the Muslims who are peace loving people wherever they may live.

The writer is a freelance columnist