From Jihadi militants to anti-immigrant terrorists
The attack on two mosques in New Zealand that killed at least 49 worshippers was the worst incident of targeting the immigrant community anywhere in the world. The act indicates that the wave of hatred against refugees and settlers from other countries has reached the farthest settlements on the globe. Christchurch was known for cricket matches played by teams coming from all over the world and by players belonging to different races and religions. Those who perpetrated the attack were full of the hatred that is being spewed all over the social media through divisive, xenophobic and racist rhetoric and anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim speech. The attack was not conducted by a deranged man acting as a lone wolf. It was a carefully planned operation involving a number of actors who managed to escape.
A wave of violent nationalism characterized by intolerance is fast spreading on both sides of the Atlantic.
A torrent of hate has been flowing through the USA since Donald Trump was elected President. Mr Trump, who had furthered his political career by questioning the citizenship of President Barack Obama, soon gained notoriety for condemning immigrants in the strongest and at times most indecent language. Some of the worst incidents of malice, hate and violence against the immigrants have since taken place in the USA. Women wearing hijabs have been attacked. So have Latino migrants, Sikhs and Hindus.
In many parts of Europe parties that espouse xenophobic, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim policies enjoy support. In some countries, they are already a part of governing coalitions. Even when out of power, they are shaping the political diaogue.
The West gave us the gift of jihadi outfits which were adopted and nourished by local interest groups till they turned into a hydra-headed monster. Those forced to migrate from war-torn Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and other countries now face the wrath of anti-immigrant terrorists who are also ripping apart the USA and the European nations. It is time both the West and the East drew the right conclusion. Terrorism and extremism are not religion-specific, and have to be brought under control to save humanity
