Terrorism and introspection<\/p>\n
A week after the Sept. 2 terrorist attack on a school in the
\nRussian town of Beslan, in which over 300 people -- mostly school
\nchildren -- were killed and hundreds wounded, it happened again
\non Sept. 9, on our own soil, Jakarta.<\/p>\n
These two separate incidents have similarities, namely, that
\nthey were senseless and brutal acts and committed without
\nconscience. All civilized nations condemn such acts when innocent
\nchildren, women and the elderly are targets.<\/p>\n
Moreover, when terrorists act under the name of a religion --
\nIslam -- they pretend (not to know) or deliberately do not heed
\nthe prophet's teachings: That children, women, elderly or even
\ntheir property, cattle, trees or plants must be spared in war.
\nThey are indeed waging war on their enemies, but using terrorism
\nto do so.<\/p>\n
Their acts are contrary to the true teachings of Islam. Also,
\ncountries that have been targeted by terrorists and their people
\nshould exercise introspection as proposed by many Indonesian
\nreligious leaders (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 10).
\n Why have Americans, the British, Israelis, Australians and
\nRussians become regular targets? Leaders of these countries
\nshould determine the real reason why they have become targets.<\/p>\n
There is, I think, one key to the above problem: That problems
\nin conflict areas derive from the unfair treatment of those who
\nlive there. Including, in this case, the unfair treatment of the
\nAcehnese and Papuans, whose natural resources were \"plundered\" by
\nthe Indonesian New Order regime over the past three decades.<\/p>\n
This very unfair treatment has prompted them to take action.
\nLikewise, suppression in other countries results in violence or
\nacts of rebellion.<\/p>\n
In order to overcome these problems, the United Nations should
\ntake the lead by urging countries that are targeted by terrorists
\nto strive for equality and put an end to terrorism.<\/p>\n
M. RUSDI
\n Jakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/terrorism-and-introspection-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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