Orlando attack
Unite to fight this menace
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the barbaric terror attack on a nightclub in Orlando that has claimed the lives of 50 and has injured an equal number of people. The attack, the sheer barbarity of which was calculated to strike fear, is the worst of its kind on American soil after the September 11 atatcks.
No doubt it was an act of terror and an act of hate as President Obama put it. But what is intriguing is the influence that has led Omar Mateen, the attacker, to choose the path of bigotry and hate.
His dastardly actions and those of the other radical groups like IS do not reflect Islam, and we strongly believe that when it comes to fighting the growing menace of these elements, the Muslims must take the lead in projecting a coordinated front to counter the deranged interpretation of the Islamic scripture.
Countries and nations, political borders and beliefs must be cut across to fight this monster that has spread its tentacles beyond the confines of nation states and their boundaries. Deradicalising them is the key and Islamic scholars must rise to the occasion and spread the real message of Islam. Also, there is no denying that the spread of fear and panic has given birth to xenophobia in a part of the western world which must be curbed.