NO PLACE IN THE WORLD INCLUDING MALAYSIA IS SAFE FROM RACIAL & RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM – ESPECIALLY BY THE MAJORITY AGAINST THE MINORITY

The serial bomb blasts on the Easter Day in Sri Lanka has killed some 290 people and injured over 500 others.

The Sri Lankan government subsequently declared a nationwide curfew and shut major social media networks and instant messaging services in a bid to curtail the spread of fake news.

So far 24 suspects have been nabbed, but no organizations have yet to admit responsibility.

However, it is generally believed that the blasts were carried out by Islamic extremists.

Such acts of terror must be reprimanded in the strongest terms. Nations across the world are sending in their condolences after the bloody incident and are expressing their solidarity with the Sri Lankan government while condemning the attacks.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said “there is no place for such barbarism in the region”.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the attacks “an assault on all of humanity” while British prime minister Theresa May said the attacks were “truly appalling”.

The terror attacks in Sri Lanka point to the reality that the manifestation of global peace and stability is only skin deep. The ghost of terrorism is stubbornly hovering above us and ready to hit any time.

In mid-March, Christchurch in New Zealand witnessed the heinous serial attacks on mosques, shocking the world with some 50 dead.

The two incidents took place barely a month apart, showing that terrorism is still very much active in our world today.

Terrorism has become an enduring nightmare for humanity ever since the September 11 attacks. Governments worldwide have been working very hard to combat terrorism. While the input has seen some positive results, there is no way we can completely uproot terrorism.

The operations carried out by lone wolves in recent years have made it even more difficult to prevent terror assaults, posing a severe challenge to governments and a momentous threat to social security.

The world has never seen real peace after 9-11. Terror attacks have become time bombs waiting to go off at a specific location in that particular moment.

Terrorism transcends all known boundaries. No place under the sun is free from its menace, thanks to the blinding of human hearts by utter hatred that allows the infiltration of extremist thinking deep into our society.

Governments worldwide must work hand in hand to share relevant intelligence and step up concerted effort to fight terrorism. At the same time, moderation must be strongly advocated with the hope of dispelling and resisting extremist thinking through the principles of moderation and accommodating spirit.

Bear in mind that extremism is the hotbed for terrorism to flourish, with hatred its principal nourishment.

By promoting moderation and advocating the spirit of accommodation, we can build a civilized society and sever the lifeline for the propagation of terrorism in a bid to progressively restore world peace.

MYSINCHEW