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The Islamic terrorists in Mumbai targeted Westerners and wealthy Indians. They chose huge, 4000 room hotels and other large, highly symbolic targets such as cafes and the old Victoria railway station. But they also carefully chose a very tiny building, Nariman House, also a highly symbolic location. Chabad is a worldwide movement of Hasidic Jews who do not proselytize, who are not violent, who live to help others and who have “shluchim,” or messengers-in-service on every continent.
On late Wednesday afternoon, when I was asked to write about the Mumbai massacre and I learned that Chabad House had been seized–I knew, I knew, that the fate of the Jews in Nariman House had been sealed. Of course, I dared not write this. But really, did anyone doubt for a moment that, in addition to Americans, Europeans, and wealthy Indians (both Hindu and Muslim), that these barbarians would kill all the known and unarmed Jews they could find?
May the families of those who have been murdered in Mumbai be comforted. May Brooklyn-born Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Israeli-born Rivka Holtzberg rest in peace. May their families be comforted. May their rescued 2 year-old son, Moishe, bless and elevate them in the Afterlife. May the families of the other dead hostages in Chabad House also be comforted.
Have the Princes of Saudi Arabia, the mullahs of Iran, the imams of Cairo, Baghdad, and London, the various Palestinian factions condemned the carnage? Did I miss it? Have moderate Muslims and prominent anti-racists and anti-colonialists condemned the carnage as a racist, colonialist act? (I know, I know, if people of color are doing the shooting, the deaths of brown-skinned people do not seem to matter to them quite as much).
As I previously wrote, Islamic fundamentalists have declared a major, global war against the West and against non-Wahabi Muslims. To date, the world has refused to treat the Islamic/Islamist assault as the full-fledged religious war that it really is. No, it is not a traditional war which means that we will require non-traditional, as well as traditional means to fight it.
Today, David Altman, writing in the Jerusalem Post agrees. He believes that “while Mumbai, India does not constitute the ultimate battlefield…it will nevertheless serve as a conceptual case for future activities.”
“Without question, the approach towards fighting terrorism must undergo major rethinking. Times have changed since the main focus was the suicide bombers operating independently or in small groups, whose purpose was to injure the enemy and to draw attention to their cause.
Today, a new, different terror army, with several branches is being developed. This army includes all the elements of a military, but exploits the approach of the terrorist. The terror army enjoys the advantages of feeling exempt from any international law or convention, and of being exempt from international pressure or accountability. In addition, they handicap the power of their opponent through exploitation of the claims of internationally accepted values of human rights, correct treatment of prisoners of war, and prevention of harm to civilian populations – though none of these values apply to them, but only to their opponent.”
I have a long-time friend and colleague who left America to run an orphanage for girls in India, in Kolkata. (Like Mumbai, which used to be called Bombay, Calcutta has now become Kolkata.) She is a physician and her name is Michelle Harrison. Here is what she just wrote me.
“It’s a metastatic cancer that needs surgery and chemo, but the world still thinks some meditation and deep breathing will make it go away.”
Palestinian and other Islamist terrorists have often chosen Jewish holidays to either launch a war or a homicide bombing against Israel. These massacrists struck Mumbai on the eve of Thanksgiving Day, a venerable American holiday. I do not think this fact should be overlooked.
noted Mr Seaweeds
it is a sad thing when any loss happens
we are much in agreement actually. I do hope that the new US administration will make better strides forward for true and lasting peace. Something the previous Bush administration has utterly failed.
But in dealing with angry people, it is pointless to punish without looking at the source of their anger. We are all in need of healing. These angry people too. I doubt if they enjoy being angry for the sake of being angry.
War and killing in the name of religion. Haiz .. it is no wonder that many refuse to believe and lump all organised religion as a mere ruse for power grabbing people to get more power. The current situation of Hindus at practical war with Christians in Orrissa India, has similar parallels. And yes, the loss was hardly reported in the international press.
i think generalising it as muslims being angry with jews and americans is unfair and too sweeping.
its like what happened after 9-11. anyone who had a beard, dressed a certain way and had a muslim name immediately was a target for intense scrutiny by the authorities in various countries
acts of these nature further the polarisation and discrimination of people. the resulting increase in scrutiny heightens awareness but in a negative light
maybe the more appropriate examination is which group is responsible for this act and what their motivations are which will answer the question why
these motivations are then relevant to this group and not all muslims. just like if acts of terror are done by a chinese group … this does no represent the feelings and perspectives of all chinese in the world
given all the govts affected by these acts since it began, I’m sure the question why has been asked and analysed by top minds and experts across all fields.
i think the reason why is arrived upon in different mindset and context by the groups responsible which may be difficult for us to grasp. thus the use of death and destruction as a means to get a message across
how shud the world respond? shud the world find out their terms and give in so such acts do not happen again?
and if the world gives in … won’t that be one group of people forcing their view on another?
I just don’t agree with the premise of “i’ll kill more people if u don’t listen to me”.
i posted the above to highlight that people died in mumbai. i felt that the world didn’t cover it as much and the gravity of the loss wasn’t pronounce because it didn’t happen in the US and Europe
there’s so much hate, anger and segregation in this world already. in my humble opinion, i think what’s needed are thoughts and acts that bring people together rather than poralise and discriminate.
yes, the terrorist acts are deplorable .. but a lasting solution will only be possible if we educate ourselves as to WHY the Muslims are so angry at the Jews and the Americans.
The world seems to have conveniently forgotten why Muslims are so angry focusing instead on the terrorist acts. This creates more anger and frustration.