Two suicide bombers killed at least 78 innocent men women and children, and wounded at least 110, at a 130 year old Anglican Church in Peshawar, Pakistan. In what has been described as the single deadliest attack on the county’s Christian minority. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility saying it would continue to target non-Muslims until the US stopped drone attacks in the country’s remote tribal regions.
Elsewhere at the same time at least 62 men women and children have been killed and 170 injured numerous were being held hostage after a 36+ hour siege in a uptown shopping mall in Kenya by the Somalian al Qaida affiliate group Al Shabaab. In what can be been described as the second most deadly attack in the county’s history. Al Shabaab said they carried out the attacks in response to Kenyan military operations in Somalia. Media incorrectly reported that they were allowing Muslims free and killing innocent people from differing religions and nations in a politically fueled revenge attack. But the reality is they killed Muslim's and particularly Muslim children as well.
Just days previous at least 65 people were killed and at least 120 wounded in a triple bombing targeting a Shi’ite Muslim funeral in Baghdad, Iraq. And earlier that same day in a separate incident at least 8 Shi’ite’s were killed by a car bomb detonating in another part of Baghdad. More political acts of sectarian murder committed by rebel Sunni Muslims, fighting to overthrow a leader backed by Shi’ite Iran. Deadly attacks on Shi’ite Muslims are now becoming a nearly daily occurrence.
A blood curdling 205 murdered in three days, for political reasons by so called Muslims. And sadly elsewhere hundreds of thousands of people in Syria and Egypt are engulfed in the fire of violence, oppression and rebellion. Fighting each other for political reasons. Everything revolving around guns, money and politics. ''Get money to buy guns, to force people to bend to your political views'' - and who better to fund this than corrupt religious and political leaders.
It reminded me of the 28th May 2010 when 86 peaceful worshipers were killed and 124 were injured in the sectarian killing of Ahmadi Muslims in Lahore in Pakistan. In what has also been described as the single deadliest attack on the county’s Ahmadi Muslim minority in Pakistan's history. Also killing a Christian worker at the same time the Tehrik e Taliban Punjab murders shouted ‘Khatme Nabuwwat Zindah Baad’ (– Long Live End of Prophet hood). An act of pure sectarian murder committed because a previous Pakistani Government passed laws of religious intolerance in their constitution. If ever there was a clear connection with money, guns and politics Pakistan is the prime example. I was there watching the surreal events take place, lucky to have survive but destined to bury two uncles. I saw teenage terrorists that were pumped with drugs like experimental super soilders immunised against pain and burning with a desire to kill for their masters.
This event woke me from my hypnotic materialism and made me realise what’s really going on. So when people ask me why do the current world events make me sad? I simply say how many more deadly attacks will there have to be for people to realise that things are getting rapidly worse. A dangerous mix of radical religious perspectives fueled by politics and money to buy weapons has been allowed to enter into the minds of the people across most developing nations.
So, it’s clear these terrorists have no righteousness and do not pay heed to the Holy Qur’an. Or they would know that to kill another person is a sin, equal as if they had killed the whole of mankind. And to kill women or children is never permitted, even in times of war a fight must between two able and strong men only.
This is all about money, guns and politics because they prefer the attire of guns and grenades and a suicide vest rather than the modest dress and cloth cap of a righteous Muslim. Let’s face it, it’s always about money. They are always being funded from somewhere. Otherwise how could the Kenyan Terrorist's hole up in a shopping mall for over 36 hours and have enough weapons and bullets to last so long? Where does the money come from for such a large investment in arms and who stands to gain politically?
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of God be upon him) was a leader and a statesman, an exemplar for all true Muslims in the world. He enjoined the masses to be patient and pray for divine help, not to take matters into their own hands. He foretold that after him people would see that their rights were usurped and preferences were given to others, in addition people would see things which they considered bad. He was asked what the instruction for such a time was. He replied that the rights of rulers should be paid at such times and one’s own rights should be sought from God.
In other words if one wants to be saved from hell then one should pay ones dues and obligations to all around him or her and leave the matter of the ruler with God and stay engaged in prayers. This is true righteousness and what Ahmadi Muslims are currently doing. This is why Ahmadi Muslims are worried and praying for the people of Pakistan, Kenya, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and everywhere else that people are being oppressed by their governments and being manipulated and radicalised.
We all need to unite and become serious in breaking the current negative trend towards self destruction. Each of us needs to step up our efforts in spreading peace, tolerance and righteousness. The 1.6 billion Muslim population worldwide needs to wake up and recognise they have a moral responsibility to each of their neighbours to make the world a peaceful place. A place with no violence and intolerance. And chasing the money trail and politics behind the terrorists will start to stamp out this bloodshed.
When we hear of Western Nations saying they want to help 'arm' rebel nations - make no mistake that is a root of terrorism. A gun is for life not just for a rebellion. And one person's rebel is another’s freedom fighter, and yet another's mujahedeen or political pawn. Did you know that a recent 2013 survey showed that the world’s ammunition manufacturers are working 24 hours to satisfy demand for bullets? The business of war has never been so good for some...
By Ansar Khan, Naib Regional Qaid Tahir Region London. To read more interesting and motivating articles by this and other writers visit www.tahirregion.weebly.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends.