The Brussels attacks

Are Muslim immigrants a threat to Europe’s security now? Some people might think that this question is rude. But frankly, this question is being posed by events, and I believe that it should not anger anyone.

Last week, the security situation in Europe, in particular Belgium and France, had put them in the spotlight due the importance of the events and their implications on the world. The bloody suicidal explosion in Brussels, which took place at sensitive places like the Brussels airport and a subway stations, ended the life of over 31 innocent people and wounded several others.

This sad incident has raised a lot of doubts and questions about the ability of European countries to face internal security threats that are occurred at the hands of immigrants.

After the bloody attacks, the attention was turned to Belgium and specifically to the Mulnbek neighborhood in the capital Brussels. Most of the suspects drove off from this area, which is predominantly inhabited by immigrants, and was the starting point for many of the attacks in different parts of the world.

I think that European countries today face a major dilemma. The new generation of children of conservative Muslim immigrants who are ready to kill themselves in terrorist operations. This is the heart of the matter, but it does not seem that many have the courage to admit that Europe had failed in the fight against terrorism in their own countries.

I think that the bombings in Brussels, France and possibly others in the road, can be the beginning of a terror threat that hits Europe with no determination to stop it regardless of the cost. These attacks confirm that security is no longer a matter of question, but a global issue. The typical condemnation, denunciation and denial is no longer enough or productive.

The sad part here is that most of the media reports published for the France and Belgium attacks had mentioned that the killers and suspects had traveled to Syria in earlier times, and we all know that Syria is not a place for picnic right now. I am amazed by those who travelled there without being checked by their authorities. So, just the fact that they are carrying a European passports does not mean they should be excluded from checking.

I am amazed over the large number of papers and documents such as airline tickets, hotel reservation, that a Kuwaiti or a Gulf national would have to provide if he or she wanted to travel to Europe, without thinking that all those who carried the attacks in Europe are European citizens, and there are no single event in which a tourist had been involved.

As usual, the Islamic State (IS) rushes to take responsibility over the suicide attacks, and this is not proof of the strength of IS because we all know as a terror organization, they try to scare the public, especially when the bombers were Muslims.

Let us be honest and consider the fact that even if we took into consideration that the call came from a terrorist group like Al-Qaeda or IS, it does not justify the criminal act which these citizens committed. After all, these Western countries had offered them a decent life and security as well as many privileges, but they have denied all this and they killed innocent people. I also think that investigations should look into the roots of the problem in regard to their parents, family and friendship ties, trips overseas and contacts. Anti-terror operations must be comprehensive without fear, hesitation or shame.

Javier Solana, former High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, called on Europe to take a closer look and realize that the second and third generations of immigrants can be vulnerable to the temptations of terrorist organizations now, because the European citizenship did not translate into real social and economic integration. I think such call is worth real evaluation, regarding the status of Muslim immigrants and what is the real meaning behind becoming a European citizen.

I think that Europe’s policy in identifying the sources of terrorism and the provision of resources has been characterized by diplomacy and the embarrassment of the recognition that the security threat they face is internal, and not external.