A dastardly attack in Libya
BY MPost14 Sep 2012 9:53 PM GMT
MPost14 Sep 2012 9:53 PM GMT
The barbaric attack on the US consulate in Libya’s Benghazi city that led to the shocking death of the US ambassador and three others is entirely condemnable. The ambassador and embassy staff were killed on Wednesday when a fundamentalist mob armed with guns and rockets stormed the American consulate, angry over a film deemed offensive to Islam and allegedly mocking the Prophet Mohammad. Such an overwhelmingly violent reaction to the film in question was uncalled for, though the provocation may have been grave. Even if the film is offensive to Islam, the protests against it could have been peaceful and the point could have been conveyed to the United States government and the film-makers with decorum. The loss of life was uncalled for, especially of those who had nothing to do with the film. Equally, it is condemnable of the film-maker to have made a film that could be perceived as insulting to Islam and likely to inflame passions. The film-maker could not have been unaware of the incendiary nature of the film, given that it talks of the Prophet in an extremely disparaging manner. The dubious role of fundamentalist Christian groups based in the United States, which have been linked to the production or eventual distribution of the movie, is most unfortunate. It would appear that the fundamentalists of one religion have succeeded in provoking the fundamentalists of another.
The US, in particular, must not be knee-jeck in action when reacting to this violence. It must remember that the majority of the Libyans have condemned the attacks and that only the fringe elements were responsible for it. It must, therefore, not use the attacks as a provocation to interfere in the new Libyan government but give it a chance to untangle the mess by itself. While working towards ensuring the punishment of the culprits, the US must also crack down on fundamentalist groups within it which incite hatred between communities and are responsible for waving the red flag in the current instance. Without doubt, it is necessary to probe who the culprits were, to find out if they have any links to terrorism and to ensure their just punishment. What takes precedence, however, is the necessity of ensuring, in the aftemath of this event, that another cycle of violence, particularly a religiously inspired frenzy and bloodbath, is not unleased. It is necessary to maintain peace at all costs.
Next Story
In 100 bail orders: 'Videos' used for arrest in 44; 32 of these failed ...
22 Feb 2021 7:11 PM GMTDelhi Police say 1,753 held but courts heard over 4,347 bail pleas
21 Feb 2021 8:26 PM GMT755 FIRs and 342 chargesheets against 1,553 people later – not a...
21 Feb 2021 7:48 PM GMTOf courts' bugbears, most common 'doubtful' police, public witness...
23 Feb 2021 7:29 PM GMTA Delhi Police-sized roadblock in victims' path to justice — clubbing...
25 Feb 2021 7:39 PM GMT
Curfew relaxed in Udaipur for 10 hrs
3 July 2022 8:13 PM GMTSeveral people dead in Copenhagen shopping mall shooting, suspected...
3 July 2022 8:12 PM GMTMaha Assembly gets new Speaker as Narvekar cruises through poll
3 July 2022 8:11 PM GMTPM asks BJP leaders to reach out to deprived among minorities
3 July 2022 8:11 PM GMTDays after bypoll jolt, SP dissolves all national and state exec...
3 July 2022 8:10 PM GMT