Terrorist Death Toll Rises

In quick succession, fanatical terrorists struck the hearts of too many with their violent attacks on innocent civilians. In Pakistan 132 children were gunned down by members of one particular Taliban group. Outside the Peshawar province, these killers of children attacked a government school. Nominally connected as a military training public school, the Taliban wreaked its vengeance in retaliation against the Pakistani government. Many reasons have been put forward, among the most significant is the following statement taken from an MSN news report.

A spokesperson for the Pakistani Taliban, which goes by the name Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, claimed that the operation was carried out as revenge for army operations that had targeted the families of Taliban fighters. "Because the government is targeting our families and females," he said, "we want them to feel the pain." (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/).

Other opinions are that this group wants to let the world know it’s still a viable force in the world of terror, while another is revenge for killing Taliban women and children. Regardless, any group that points a gun at a child’s head and pulls the trigger without compunction has no right to compassion, sympathy, or any other consideration. What they did was pure and simple murder, murder of innocent children who had no place in their war. And their plan backfired. Public support inside and outside of Pakistan has turned against this Taliban group.

In Sydney Australia, a country well-known for its relative atmosphere of non-violence, it suffered a heinous scene of murder right in the middle of Sydney’s lovely Martin Square. I’ve spent time there. During summer months, entertainment is provided at lunchtime; great shops line the pedestrian square and add a lovely atmosphere to the square. What occurred at the hands of Man Haron Monis was plain and simple murder of the young coffee shop manager and a young female attorney, mother of three children under age 10.

The two vile acts, although not connected geographically or in any way other than a loose interpretation of Islam, created havoc and brought about world anger and hatred. The Taliban may believe vengeance is theirs for the death of their families, but nowhere in the Qu’ran is the untoward murder of defenceless individuals condoned. This is not the Islam which my former students believe in, nor the many Muslims throughout the world. A worldwide shudder quakes terra firma, no one escapes the ensuing drama effected by these obliterating acts.