Why We Should Show Support to Paris

I've seen a few posts on social media seemingly critical of people’s sympathetic responses towards the Paris bombings, particularly people changing their profile picture to one of the French flag in relation to attacks and atrocities that occur in Syria, Iraq and in other places around the world on a daily basis. There could well be an argument that this is because of Geography. Paris is geographically closer to the UK than Damascus or Aleppo which is an undeniable fact. Another argument would be that the media is biased in reporting Western terrorist events such as Paris more than Syria or Libya and again there could be argument supporting this. I've also seen posts questioning how convenient it is that Syrian or Egyptian passports belonging to the alleged bombers were found at or near the scene of the attacks at the Stade de France. To understand that last point, look at Science and in particular gas explosions. Explosions explode, forcing everything in its path outwards and do not always incinerate everything in its wake.

The first point that needs to be made is that this event was an attack directly on our way of life, our freedoms, our beliefs and our traditions and customs. It was an attack on the principals of freedom and tolerance. It was designed to strike at the heart of our civilization, instilling fear and panic among the people to limit those freedoms. People are already saying that they will avoid areas where large crowds gather such as city centres such as London and visits to such places as West End Theatres or concerts. This fear and angst is perfectly understandable and something that everyone carries in the back of their minds to some extent. To fundamentally alter plans in the light of this event is to allow the whole concept of terrorism and evil to prevail and is surely the main objective of the terrorists. To attack an International Football Match, a passion many of us enjoy in watching the beautiful game, is like a spear through the heart of our culture. Similarly to cold bloodily murder people enjoying a night out in a theatre, many of whom would have been enjoying a weekend break in the Capital, Paris, many whom travelled in from other parts of France or indeed the world strikes at the soul of our leisure time, something that most working people covet and plan for as a well-earned break from our working lives. This therefore is an attack on you and me, your friends, neighbors, colleagues and co-workers in other words our society.

To say this is not to dismiss or legitimize what is happening in Syria at all. IS are committing the most heinous atrocities against innocent people in the name of their twisted ideology and interpretation of Islam, but that said Syria is in the midst of a brutal civil war. It is apparent that the West has sought to destabilize the Assad regime in Syria for years who like Saddam Hussein in Iraq before him , as brutal as they are, held in check the sectarian violence that was so obviously not visible to our Western masters but evidently simmering under the surface of those societies, not unlike that in the Former Yugoslavia. During that war Europe and the US were instrumental in brokering peace and finding a solution that last to this day, something that to be dealt with or potentially suffer the consequences of inaction. We hear from pacifists, the Left, the Rights that we should not be involved in Syria and the Middle East and I would tend to agree with this view point. Indeed, so would rich Arab nations who appear to do little to stop the bloodshed in Syria. On the contrary it would seem Saudi Arabian Wahhabi Sunni Islam is at the core of the IS ideology just as it was with the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

The current migrant crisis that is now unfolding from the region is clearly politically and socially divisive in the West. There appears little doubt that IS has taken advantage of this event or even created this crisis to infiltrate Europe with foot soldiers disguised as migrants, 90% of whom appear to be young males, knowing that Europe would be hamstrung with political indecisiveness, political correctness and liberal socialism in its response. That is not to say that all migrants are potentially terrorists. If IS were indeed responsible for Paris on Friday, then it would be perfectly reasonable and justified that the suicide bombers would carry their passports with them in the knowledge that the passport would probably survive and be found which in itself is a deliberate message and a slap across the face to those who advocated and encouraged the refugees to seek safe harbor in Europe. There are those that say Europe should open the borders and allow all 'refugee's to come to the West. Equally there are those who say the opposite. Wouldn't the sensible option be to err on the side of caution and vet all who want to come to Europe. This ought to be a regional response utilizing the vast wealth of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, Qatar and Brunei as well as other nations to help their kin.

Westerners are typically very generous as most understand and appreciate the quality of the life that they are afforded. One only has to look at the response to natural disasters to see the generosity in putting a hand in the pocket and donating money. Similarly Western charities have made the journey to Syria and Iraq to help out with the undoubted humanitarian catastrophe that is ongoing. It is the same with the media. Media correspondents are usually fearless in entering war zones and reporting of the facts on the ground, which is something that that in the case of Syria is sadly lacking on our TV screens. We do not get the full picture from Aleppo or Homs but I would challenge any Western journalist or charity worker to enter Syria, because let’s be honest here, the Quran explicitly references the beheading of unbelievers during war “So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them” they would most likely return without their head, such as Alan Henning, Steven Sotloff, James Foley, et al.

Paris, London, Madrid, New York, Mumbai, Baghdad, Aleppo, Kenya (and now Manchester) attacks wherever they may be, are all attacks collectively on our consciousness and civilization,  one of decent law abiding peaceful people. When it is in our geographical heart as Paris was, yes because it is close by and recognisable then that is an attack on the pacifist, it's an attack on the those who call for the borders to be opened, it's an attack on the philanthropist, it's an attack on the scientist, it's an attack on the street cleaner, it's an attack on you and and an attack on me.  Peace!