Thoughts on the London terrorist attack

G’day Nick,

Unfortunately, people tend to link Terrorism instantly with Islam. Islam is a peaceful religion and those dogs who explode bombs, kill and mame innocent people in the name of Islam are NOT Muslims because true Muslims would not conmsider such a vile act. These dogs hide behind a beautiful religion but are not brave enough to confront or even show their faces to the world.

90% of my friends in Java are of the Islamic faith. They condemn this barbaric act upon the people of London as they did condemn what happened in Bali and in New York.

Again, it’s unfortunate that the innocent Muslim community that will suffer the brunt of the anger for the terrorist act in London simply because there is that association of Islam/Terrorism.

Was in London yesterday. Our immediate thought was it must have been the French (Olympics). I guess its the British way, a bit of humour and just get on with it. We live through 30 years, on and off, of the IRA, we know how to react to this sort of thing. The aim of terrorism is to instil terror, if you allow this to happen they have succeeded.

Barrie, I agree and think this head to head conflict we have in the world today between western culture and Islam is due to a lot of misunderstanding, a certain greediness on the part of foreign companies and a black and white view of the world.

Westerners misunderstand Islam, as many people of the Muslim faith misunderstand westerners.

The way certain western companies flaunt their stuff in Muslim countries its not suprising that some people take offense. In Semarang in Central Java there is a square called Simpang Lima, where you will find a tight little collection of western shops, McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut. I remember sitting in front of KFC waiting for Ika and they wer playing the most obnoxious rap music, the kind of lyrics that would never be played in the US. Fortunately most of the locals didn’t speak English, but for thsoe who did, welcome to western culture!

As for the black and white world view, I think Islam is partly to blame for this. Its not exactly a yielding religion, much like Jewdaism or fundamental Christianity. Its our way or no way.

The more ‘pure’ a follower tries to become, the more they get pushed to an extreme, which is why I do not buy into any of these major religions, its all a pissing contest, our prophet is bigger than yours etc.

G’Day Nick,

I know Simpang Lima very well. Stayed in the Metro Hotel opposite Pasar Johar right on the junction.

Anybody heading to Semarang, I suggest you stay in the old part of the city. Fabulous place and great to explore and relish in the food and culture of Jawa.

I am a moslem and I did condemn such brutal act.. (the bombings and also US attack to Irak) When was in Sydney, my friends looked at me differently when they knew I am a moslem.. and I had to explain to them that Islam -which literally means “surrender”- is the religion which requires the followers to surrender their “ego”, thus to be “unselfish”. Islam also teaches people to be kind and caring… such barbaric act like killing people definitely is not Islami… However, in certain circumstances, such as in a war or in order to protect ourselves, killing people might be allowed… moslem / whoever who did the bali-bombing and also london-bombing might think that the world is in a war (between Islam and non-Islam: US,UK).. thus, they made justification that what they did is in the name of Islam…

Hello Ade,
I think the Western World should make changes by teaching acceptance of other religions in primary schools!

At my daughters school they have ‘religious Instruction’ this is a public school. It is $15 per year, so I asked the Principal what this class actually was about.
It is PURELY teaching about Catholic religion.. I said it would make more sense to have all religions or atleast a number of different ones! As this is ra religious instruction… But thyey do not do this, so I said she wont be participating in this class… I was told that most kids attend no matter what, as we don’t have classes outside of this to facilitate, I said If it was religious instruction & not catholic instruction I’d be happy for her to attend as it would teach the kids about ALL religions & allow them to grow up having friends from all religions & not having a problem with it.. But they wont & say they cannot do this, so she sits in with another class during the 30 min catholic class.
There are kids from all over the world in her school & it’s only got 120ish students, but I cannot see or understand why in this day & age they cannot see that teaching kids about all religions & acceptance of all different beliefs would make the world in the future a better place!
A larger number of kids have pulled out of the religious class this year & I explained it has nothing to do with our converting to Hinduism, it is teaching one to accept another!

I do not for 1 second believe that anyone be them black, white, yellow, green etc to be different or less important than me, nor do I care about anyone elses religious beliefs, until our kids can grow up with this, then WARS will continue!

Hi Tracey,

Whoa, totally agree with you about the acceptance. More religious tolerance and education is needed in our schools so that the children, who are the future of the country, can produce a much more harmonious way of life within the community.