The brutality of the horrific attacks on Paris by Islamic militants in the name of their faith is unspeakable. The attacks must be condemned by all–Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and will forever change the way minorities are viewed all over Europe and the developed world.
The way the attacks were launched must change the way the war on terror is being fought; co-ordination among countries is critical. All nations are affected; Trinis are being recruited to engage in terror acts on behalf of ISIS and al-Qaeda.
Minorities in Europe must not be blamed. It is understandable that politicians (in France, US, etc) and prejudicial indigent groups would call for closure of borders and a crackdown on illegals.
But those who carried out the Paris attacks are, from what President Obama describes as "uncivilised."
The attackers don't represent their own cultural and civilised values.
France and other European countries and the US must not cave in to the rightist anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments. The government must go after radical Islamists and those who promote violent jihadism. Everyone has a right to live in harmony with other groups without having to fear that someone is out to kill them senselessly.
Over the last three decades, succeeding French governments have remained largely tolerant of minorities although the meaning of secularist state has been tightened.
France has now closed its borders to outsiders making it virtually impossible for refugees (from Syria and Iraq) to enter. It is not good for minorities like myself who love to visit the City of Lights and who routinely pass through Paris on my way to Delhi or Mumbai.
Jihadist groups kill ordinary citizens including fellow Muslims in the name of Islam. No religion teaches people to kill. No culture teaches people to blow themselves up.
Do people question this cultural practice of murderous behaviour and this idea of going to heaven and being rewarded with 72 brides? That is contrary to any religious belief.
Religion is not about violence, but peace and tolerance. These fundamentalists are driven by extreme violence and hatred, out to kill anyone who disagrees with their medieval brand of faith that even seeks to prevent females from getting an education.
French Muslims, in particular, must take the lead to condemn the violence carried out in the name of their faith because of the extreme harm it has done to fellow Muslims in France.
Paris is among my most favourite cities having visited it countless times and planning to pass through again Christmas Eve.
It is also a liberal city that opens its arms to foreigners (refugees) and so many (Muslim) immigrants from North Africa; people of all ethnicities and faiths are found there.
Paris will not be the same again as people will worry about going out and constantly watching their backs fearing an attack.
It is hoped that the attacks as well as the one against Charlie Hebdo (satirical cartoon publication) and the Jewish market will not succeed in hardening European feelings against minorities.
The attacks on Paris are a declaration of war on our lifestyle and individual freedom to go about our business.
Obama rightly said it is an attack "not just on the French but on all of humanity and the universal values that we all share."
The world must therefore come together and declare war on radical religious practices (terror). Otherwise, the terrorists will get away with their acts. To a large extent, the latest French attacks were similar to what happened in Mumbai on 26/11, 2007.
Then, the world did not pressure Pakistan (from where the terrorists got training and state help) to hand over the masterminds behind the Indian attacks or urge the government to crack down on terror groups training in that country.
Now extremists have spread their tentacles to Europe 14 years after the attacks on America and eight years after Mumbai.
And there were so many other attacks on democratic nations (several foiled in America) with more attacks probably in the planning stage.
The Paris attacks must not only be condemned strongly. But there must be action–co-ordinated multi-national strikes against ISIS and the demand that all states turn over advocates of radicalism to an international tribunal for justice.
Death cults like ISIS, al-Qaeda etc, must be pursued without any let-up and eliminated. The G20 nations, all European countries, and all others in the Middle East must commit to work together to put an end to radicalism and terrorist activities.
Dr Vishnu Bisram