The shocking spectre of far-right violence in Germany

The chilling message of the massacres by the far right in Hanau, Germany, is pure intimidation. Terrorism is once again rearing its ugly head across Europe. This is terrorism against innocent people. Since the days of yore, terrorism has deep linkage with our changing modes of civilisation. Germany’s massive intelligence establishment was caught in a deep slumber. Former CIA director Michael Hayden warned his leaders that homegrown terrorism will confront the world one day. If we want to reduce the levels of terrorism or even contain it we will have to deal with its manifestations and its underlying causes.

Today terrorism transcends political and geographical boundaries. It is supported by powerful states and a multitude of international actors. The poignant fact is that global peace has reduced to a mere talking point at the UN, and all endeavours to achieve it have been futile as unrestrained violence has made its way to establish its diabolical might.

Killing has become a diurnal activity as a shaken and frightened world sits viewing the dance of death as spectators. It was Mark Twain who said “Peace by persuasion has a pleasant sound, but I think we should not be able to work it. We should have to tame the human race first, and history seems to show that that cannot be done.”

We live in a violent world that appears to be becoming more violent with time. As is the case with any act of terrorism, the perpetrators and victims have been reduced to mere statistics and caricatures. Terrorism threatens us all, not only physically and politically, but morally and intellectually as well.

south africa —Farouk araie, Johannesburg,