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By : Yossi Mekelberg

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:: For years Britain braced itself for major terror attacks, possibly a suicide bombing that would lead to multiple casualties. It was considered a matter of time. Still, when such a murderous attack struck last Monday in the foyer of Manchester Arena, the shock was complete and numbing. A night of musical entertainment was turned into a site of carnage. Even more outrageous is the tender age of the victims, as young as 8.

This makes it incomprehensible and raises more questions than most of us can answer. What induces a person in his early 20s to believe in such a distorted version of his religion and thus carry out a murderous attack against innocent and vulnerable people? What leads someone to reach such hatred against his own community and to want to harm them indiscriminately? Where does it leave British multiculturalism and intercommunal relations nationwide?

All three questions are not unrelated, and present the country with one of its most momentous challenges. A comforting source of encouragement is that despite the sharp pain felt by anyone who has seen the pictures of those children and parents whose lives were senselessly cut short, the reaction from most people, including the media, has been relatively measured.

Voices that try to drive a wedge between the Muslim community and the rest of society have so far been contained. Moreover, although there is a strong sense that a recurrence of such an atrocity is highly probable, many see that the solution is not segregating communities but improving intercommunal relations. It is also important to detect early signs of radicalization of young people, such as in the case of Salman Abedi, who carried out the Manchester attack.

The people of Manchester reacted with great dignity to such a tough event, and it was heart-warming to see people of different faiths consoling each other. Ensuring that the city stays united is the best answer to resisting those who thrive on divisions and violence.

As atrocious as this terrorist attack was, and the one on Westminster Bridge a few weeks ago, they cannot and will not defeat the UK’s spirit. The need to reject violent extremism in our communities does not equate to supressing diversity. This would hand terrorists victory on a silver plate.

This is a time to reflect on spreading tolerance, celebrating diversity and uniting everyone who is determined not to let fanatics, whoever they are, ruin these values.

Yossi Mekelberg

Western societies have changed dramatically since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US and those that followed in other places, including London. These terrorist attacks, in conjunction with the global economic crisis of 2008 and the recent refugee crisis, have distorted the view of the “other” in the US and Europe.

A relatively small group of despicable extremists managed to taint entire communities of law-abiding, loyal citizens who contribute immensely to their societies. This played into the hands of those who ideologically reject diverse societies. In the case of Abedi, it has emerged that friends reported him to British authorities, raising their concerns about his views and erratic behavior by ringing the counterterrorism hotline as early as five years ago.

This was followed by other cases in which family members and leaders within his own community warned officials of his radicalization and the potential danger to the public. He was even banned from a Didsbury mosque in Manchester for rudely criticizing its imam during a sermon condemning Daesh.

While it is important that neither the government nor the public are dragged into hasty responses to the tragic events in Manchester, lessons must be learnt. The threat of such callous acts is not going to disappear by itself, and the security services do not have all the answers. Legislation to stop potential terrorists returning to the UK after fighting in places such as Syria and Iraq provides only a partial solution.

Addressing the root causes of the radicalization of youth — both those who show support for acts of terrorism and those who carry them out — is paramount. Some are influenced by what happens in other places such as Syria, and in the case of the Manchester attack, in Libya. Moreover, the stream of hatred on social media plays a part and has to be curbed. Tough security measures are necessary.

This is a time to reflect on spreading tolerance, celebrating diversity and uniting everyone who is determined not to let fanatics, whoever they are, ruin these values. Working together toward a country that helps all its people feel at home and like integral parts of society is the best reply to extremism. It is also the role of mosques and their leaders to promote tolerance and banish any signs of sympathy for extremism and violence.

It is high time for all those who believe that people from different backgrounds, convictions and religions can live peacefully, respectfully and harmoniously to join forces and stop those who want, either figuratively or literally, to blow it up.

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Yossi Mekelberg is professor of international relations at Regent’s University London, where he is head of the International Relations and Social Sciences Program. He is also an associate fellow of the MENA Program at Chatham House. He is a regular contributor to the international written and electronic media.

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in the Column section are their own and do not reflect RiyadhVision’s point-of-view.

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