Friday, July 08, 2005

After 9/11 There Was Silence, After 7/7 The World is Roaring

CNN has up an article examining the Arab/Muslim world's reaction to the London bombing. It is not what the terrorists must have expected.

Writers punched back, saying there was no excuse for such attacks. Responses included:
# "Those terrorists have ruined the reputation of Arabs in Europe" and have hurt the religion.
# "Arabs will be facing more harassment now. That's why Arabs should stand together against these terrorist groups which has only one goal of killing innocent women, elderly and children."
# "We are entering a difficult times in Europe, especially difficult for our brothers who live in dignity and prosperity in Europe while they enjoy the vastness of the continent after they escaped their governments' dictatorships."
# "One of the targeted areas today is Edgware road, which is entirely accommodated by Muslims and Arabs. Do you know that no politicians, army troops, or any important governmental employees use the underground or buses, because simply they have no much more money to use a private car.
# "This is not Islam. Aldgate station is a two-minute walk from the largest Muslim community in London. So please don't be happy."
One writer said "innocent people have been attacked while going about their daily routine... Londoners are the most hard working and efficient city folk I have ever seen, and they shall overcome these awful events and prevail. Blair has a lot of explanation to be done. I am an Arab, and rest assured that we are all shocked and angry.
We Americans remember the ominous silence from the Islamic community after 9/11. They did not endorse that event, but they felt they could not condemn it. Not so for 7/7. What a difference a few years and a few wars can make.

No comments: