Manchester will stand firm in wake of this darkness
Re Terror at U.K. concert, May 23 Having lived through the IRA bombing campaign in England before I came to Canada in the 1980s, I know that the people of Manchester and the rest of the U.K. already know how to react to such terrorist threats.
Certainly, people will be more vigilant but, equally certain, they will not cower before the threat or demand the impossibility of complete security. They know there will always be a chance of another attack, but they know equally that the chance of being personally at risk in such an attack is very small.
This is almost always the way with terrorist attacks. Usually the number killed and injured is scarcely more than the daily traffic accident death toll. No one changes their lifestyle because people die in traffic accidents, although they may try to drive more carefully.
In the same way, we should not give up our freedoms and lifestyle because of terrorist attacks, although we may be a bit more vigilant in assessing potential threats. Adam Quinan, North York Daesh has claimed responsibility for this inhuman act of violence and shows once again that its actions are not those prescribed by Islam. In fact, they are the opposite. The Holy Qur’an states clearly that whosoever kills a person, it shall be as if he killed all mankind.
I am a Muslim and hearing about innocent lives being cut short so gruesomely hurts me down to my very core. These violent acts go against the very concept of peace.
I was born and raised in the U.K. and lived in Manchester for a brief time. From what I saw of the people there, they are resilient and will stand firm against this darkness. Harith Chaudhary, Maple Fighting Daesh is a struggle comparable to fighting the Terminator: it can’t be bargained with, it won’t ever give up and it makes no bones about killing in crowded public spaces. At least the Terminator had a clear goal, while Daesh just wants to create random fear around the world.
How does one fight an enemy that callously extinguishes the lives of those who cannot possibly be offending it, and kills for no discernible reason? Geoff Rytell, Toronto My family and I strongly abhor the atrocious and inhuman terrorist attack in Manchester, in which 22 innocent lives have been lost.
Our sympathies are with the aggrieved families, those who have sustained injuries, the people and the government of the U.K. We stand solidly behind Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the government of Canada in condemning any and all involved in this tragic event. Raza Kara, Richmond Hill Although some may claim the perpetrators behind the barbaric attack in Manchester have acted in the name of Islam, nothing could be further from the truth. The actions of these terrorists are in no way reflective of the teaching of Islam.
Ironically, these attacks took place just days before the start of Ramadan, a month where Muslims around the world practise discipline and engage in acts of charity and social welfare.
This demonstrates how Daesh has gone completely against the fundamental teachings of Islam. If we fall victim to creating a xenophobic atmosphere, we will only be contributing to the hatred rampant in the world. My heart and prayers go to those affected by this ruthless attack. Osama Sobhi, Calgary
“Daesh has claimed responsibility for this inhuman act of violence and shows once again that its actions are not those prescribed by Islam. These violent acts go against the very concept of peace.” HARITH CHAUDHARY MAPLE
The attack in Manchester has left me feeling both grief and anger.
I sympathize with the families of the victims, many of whom were innocent children. Their entire lives have been changed forever and I extend my sincerest condolences and prayers for their well-being. No one deserved this.
I am also angry. Some may claim that this attack was motivated by Islamic teachings. This could not be further from the truth. Islam is a religion of peace. The Qur’an — the holy book of Islam — makes it clear that such attacks against innocent civilians have no basis within society and religion.
Many global Muslim leaders, including Mirza Masroor Ahmad, have condemned these attacks, stating “these are militant groups, not followers of the true religion and we always stand against them.” Razi Qudrat, Toronto As an Ahmadi Muslim, I strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Manchester. It is sickening to know that this attack specifically targeted innocent children. Certainly, such barbaric attacks cannot be led by any sane human. Sadly, the responsibility of this attack was claimed by those who spread terror in the name of Islam. In Islam, which teaches love and compassion, the killing of one innocent individual is considered akin to killing all mankind. The compassion shown by the Manchester residents shows that hate cannot divide us and that terrorism cannot win.
The spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community once said, “We Ahmadi Muslims sympathize and love humanity and so wherever mankind suffers in any way, it leaves us grieved and pained.”
Our entire community offers our sincere prayers and condolences to those who were affected by this brutality. Faiza Farooq, Calgary