Kabhi Khushi,
Kabhi Bomb
By Sir Cam
Cambridge, UK
It’s
been a roller-coaster of emotions over the past
few days. First there was the high, the euphoria
of London winning the bid to host the Olympics
in 2012, then there was the dramatic plunge as
we witnessed the terrorist attacks in London,
and now, as we plummet speedily, there is the
depressing realization that the criminals were
from our community.
This was a most peculiar rollercoaster of extreme
joy and excruciating pain. It was screams of joy
as we heard the magic word “London”
announced in Singapore one day and the yells of
horror and pain the next day as the terrorists
struck in our midst, killing and maiming innocent
civilians.
The murderers burst the bubble of our joy and
bombed the bridges between our communities. Little
wonder that one feels utterly exhausted with all
the ups and downs of emotions over the past few
days. Events such as these sap one’s energy,
leaving one numbed. One may have lost all strength,
but not hope. One may be down, but not out. We
shall unite and not be cowed. We shall pick up
the pieces and continue with greater determination.
Just you watch. And 2012 will be a testimony to
our resolve and confidence.
“It’s the French!” said a tall
blond as news trickled out on the morning of July
7 that London was under attack. “They can’t
hack it. They can’t stand it that we’re
going to host the Olympics”. Oddly, I heard
quite a few English people blaming the French
that day. It was President Chirac’s fault
for saying awful things about English food a few
days earlier.
I had a most awful morning on the day of the ghastly
terrorist attacks. With a younger brother working
in the City and many friends in London, the first
thing to do was to telephone to confirm if everything
was OK. Well, everyone else seemed to be doing
the same at the same time with the result that
some connections couldn’t be made. Calm
turned to panic and then to fear. Thankfully,
everyone turned out to be safe and well. One couldn’t
imagine how the friends and relations of those
caught up in the deadly blasts felt.
It was too horrible to contemplate. The stomach-churning
blows have come in quick succession: four bombs
had exploded in London killing at least 52; the
terrorists were suicide bombers; and now —
O my God — they were British-born, “home
grown” bombers. But “home-grown”
doesn’t do justice to the criminals. You’d
think they were some kind of delicious organic
vegetable like a cauliflower instead of deadly
mushrooms or other putrid stuff.
So, what does it feel to be a British Muslim,
a British Pakistani now that the worst scenario
has been confirmed, that we have monsters within
our community? Besieged, angry, horrified, and
victimized are some words that come immediately
to mind. We have been targeted and brutalized
from within and without. The London blasts were
an assault on the Muslim community. Tough and
testing times ahead, then.
There are criminals in all communities. Those
in the British Muslim community should be seen
as such, not the whole community and their faith
tainted. The only way to defeat the terrorists
is to remain united in these trying circumstances.
We shall not let such barbarity stop us from living
our normal lives. Let it be reiterated: Muslims
abhor attacks on innocent civilians whether in
London or elsewhere, and that includes Kabul and
Baghdad, Fulluja and Jenin (Are you listening,
Mr Blair?).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
