The day after Wednesday’s London Terror attack, I shared a clip on my Facebook page (see here) and later posted on my blog reflecting on what had happened and some of the implications (see here). It was not my intention to go over old ground and, given arguably there has not been significant developments since then, this would not be something I would normally come back to, EXCEPT …

The clip, I concede, was somewhat incendiary, and the person at the centre is EDL founder, Tommy Robinson. Despite prefixing my share with the following words: “This share comes with a health warning. We are still in deep shock about and mourning because of yesterday’s London terror attacks and we await further info, but personally I am sickened when the powers that be say this has nothing to do with Islam and accept this is par for the course, and this speaking as one with many Muslim friends” I received a lot of criticism for sharing as I did e.g. “I’m sickened that you or anyone else would take this as an opportunity to stir up anti-muslim or anti-islam hatred.” Attempts to clarify my position and respond to concerns raised by my community minded, liberal leaning “friends” left me feeling like the person who digs an even bigger pit to fall into, wondering whether I was too hasty in sharing as I did, pondering on wisdom like “there being a time …” and “better to lose an argument than lose a friend”. I should add that while I am saddened by some of the attacks of my “friends”, some I see as personal, in much the same way as they may have seen my “snowflake” depiction of them as personal, in all cases I admire their community spirit and regret falling out, but to quote Margaret Thatcher: “the lady is not for turning … you turn it you want to”.

Interestingly, I later came across a post by a mainstream, conservative Christian (see here) that seemed to be making many of the same points as the more rabid Mr. Robinson. It also reminded me why I had earlier posted as I did, by way of a corrective and a sense of outrage that there is a refusal to face up to some of the realities of my country coming under attack. While the attacker may well have been a lone, British born, deranged, hate filled, nasty dude, just as in the same way was the far right killer of MP Jo Cox, to ignore religion as a factor is folly, just as it was when an American lady was stabbed to death last year and in numerous incidents across Europe and America quite recently. It beggars belief what damage could have occurred if more sophisticated means were employed to carry out the attack. In the clip, an MP in the Commons made the point the attack had NOTHING to do with Islam and he asked does the Prime Minister agree? Unsurprisingly, the Prime Minister did agree. It got me thinking further about the “Islamist threat” and that to free speech, and wanting to tie up some loose ends in the light of further developments and enhanced understanding and reflection. Still with the image of the pit I might be creating, particularly if my friends were to read this, I want to make a number of points regarding my feelings on the matter.

1. I agree our thoughts should first and foremost be with the victims. Our appreciation should be to the many who responded superbly as a result of the attack. Out resolve should be to carry on as normal and not bow to terrorism. Our support should be for one another whatever our religion etc. Showing kindness to all our neighbors is always right. Our focus should NOT be on those who carry out, support or capitalize on such attacks.
2. I continue to affirm that most Muslims are good people who are assets to this country, who not only believe Islam is a religion of peace but live accordingly. That has been my experience ever since I began befriending Muslims at college. I will continue to stand with my Muslim friends should they come under attack, as I suspect will happen, partly as a result of official head in the sand policy. I agree with and welcome the statement made by the Secretary General of the Muslim Council (see here) condemning the recent attacks and supporting those attacked.
3. I do have concerns over Islamic radicalization and feel irritated that people who know little about Islam pontificate that Islam is about peace rather than not peace who know **** all about Islam. What most fail to understand is unlike with Christianity, many Muslims see their religion far beyond a set of beliefs that can be separated from everyday life but a political system that is set to take over from what is already there (these days an ideological vacuum). As one link shows (see here), there is a lot in their Holy book that suggests violence rather than peace, and many who do or support these attacks adopt this understanding and act accordingly. It is a mistake to ignore the Islam factor when assessing and reacting to attacks. I fear too, that as a nation in doing so, we unwittingly elevate the far right.
4. At the time of the attack there were attacks in Iraq by the Americans (see here). It seems to me that the hostility we are seeing is a result of the hatred people feel against the West when these attacks are perpetrated. In this respect there is a parallel to the IRA attacks we saw in the 1970’s (while IRA atrocities were despicable, what they were reacting toward may not have been) and then we did well not to demonise Irish Catholics but rather to seek for a practical peace leading solution.
5. I am concerned there is a spirit of political correctness when people who warn about dangers that are evident but not admitted to, e.g. in this case the dangers of Islamification, are deemed to be hate mongers and with every indication these folk are being shut down, when all many are trying is do is to bring out the truth and warn people of all too evident dangers, which if ignored has and will lead to catastrophe. While hatred works both ways, I have felt it when pointing out these matters. I suspect there is a globalist agenda that will seek to trump national and cultural identity and Muslim immigration is a means to bring this about, even though welcoming foreigners and loving our neighbor is a good thing.