Our bleeding world

Who is responsible?

Have we ever wondered why were we sent to this earth? This is a question which should be a source of disturbance for everyone in these times, not only for Muslims but for people of every religion, caste, and race. This earth, the place we call home, belongs to us all and we were sent down to live peacefully and not create conflict of any sort. But alas, we didn’t do justice and created a monstrous world which is power hungry and only seeks revenge instead of reconciliation and harmony. Terrorist attacks, suicide attacks, violence on the streets, mass murders, killings in the name of religion or politics, etc have become commonplace. Be it Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan and now Paris.

It is not Paris that we should be concerned about. It’s a world in which Beirut reeling from bombings two days before the Paris attack was not given much attention. A world where refugees who are themselves abandoned from their homeland and have no place to go are being blamed for this barbaric act. We should be worried about the world where bombs go off at funerals, mosques, and political rallies, killing hundreds of innocent persons, not realising that every life matters despite whichever class, creed, race they belong to. It’s high time to ponder over the fact that the world we are a part of is falling apart in all corners and tumbling due to the feuds caused by various factions that exist in this era.

The recent Paris attack, Nigeria market killing, Beirut attack and everyday bombings in Syria are all acts of callousness killing hundreds of innocent civilians, children mostly

The recent Paris attack, Nigeria market killing, Beirut attack and everyday bombings in Syria are all acts of callousness killing hundreds of innocent civilians, children mostly. The question arises, who is responsible for all these attacks in Europe, Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria to name a few? A lot of organisations weather religious or political are fighting for their own agendas, their personal gains, not realising that by this act they are creating havoc and building fear and distress among people across the world. Naming and blaming one faction for the worst bombings and killings that took place in recent times is not a sensible act, rather every state should leave the lust for power and think about humanity for a change and think that human lives do matter whatever circumstances arise.

Legally speaking, The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), General comment No. 11, Article 20 of the Covenant clearly states that any propaganda for war and any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law. In the opinion of the Committee, these required prohibitions are fully compatible with the right of freedom of expression against any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, whether such propaganda or advocacy has aims which are internal or external to the state concerned. For article 20 to become fully effective there ought to be a law making it clear that propaganda and advocacy as described therein are contrary to public policy and providing for an appropriate sanction in case of violation.

Psychologically speaking all these attacks and brutal killings that have taken place around the Middle East especially Syria, Palestine, Egypt and now Europe recently has built up fright and panic among the general populace and seem to grow each day. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a lot of people becoming refugees away from their original place of residence. Separation from their homes, family members and ultimately their homeland results in various emotional as well as psychosocial problems which will surface as the crisis seems to escalate if no end to the cycle of wars could be reached. The psychological effects of war and terrorism on adults and children, the impact on the young mind particularly depends on a range of factors, depending on the pre-war scenario, atrocities to which an individual is subjected to during the conflict, and post-conflict conditions.

As a part of our world bleeds, the remaining chunk is not only oblivious to the predicament those people are facing but are least interested in what will become of them

In order to delineate the effects of trauma and its mediators on the psychological wellbeing of individuals in conflict zones such as the variation of psychological response to trauma with age and cognitive development; the relationship between specific trauma exposure and psychological consequences; role of pre-disaster and post-disaster adjustable and their relative valence in predicting acute and chronic posttraumatic stress symptomatology and other psychiatric morbidities to name to few, the world needs to come with some sort of strategy and bring an end to this rut once and for all if some sort of conscious and humanity is still left.

As a part of our world bleeds, the remaining chunk is not only oblivious to the predicament those people are facing but are least interested in what will become of them. Why? Because the world has become a selfish sanctuary instead of a safe haven that it once used to be. In order to get our peaceful refuge free from terror and devastation back, it’s high time to ponder over the fact that human lives do matter and killing in the name of religion or some political agenda will not get us anything instead of worry and grief, which will engulf the entire planet sooner rather than later if not put an end to it all.