Terrorism reared its ugly head again. This time in Victoria. It is frightening to think these two numb skulls from Surrey were preparing to target unsuspecting families at the Canada Day celebrations. This is obviously not the first act of terror emanating or aimed at Canada. The Squamish Five , Air India, FLQ ,Toronto 18 and many other cases have targeted us invluding the one aimed recently at Via Rail.The Via Rail was in the sights of the conspirators Chiheb Esseghaier of Montreal and Raed Jaser of Toronto. Chiheb is the one who claims not to give a damn about man written book: Criminal Code of Canada. He claims to answer only to the God created books. I guess he forgets a well known 'God created' Book that says ' love thy neighbour' or'thou shall not kill'. I am sure the Quran has similar universal messages. The fault is mine that I am less familiar with the Quran. I understand Islam, like most other faiths , is a faith of peace. What the 'jihadists' of any faith or ideology do is to select what is convenient for their sick designs. That is true the world over. The problem with these single minded 'warriors' is their total lack of understanding of what is required to make the world a better place. They believe killing others makes them heroes. They also believe that Jihad , as understood by their twisted minds, means killing for 'their cause' is justified.
What is disturbing is that some of these elements can now very easily self radicalise. All they need is the internet , and some easily accessible devices and a couple of pressure cookers. Thanks to the depraved Boston Marathon bombers copycats were certain to emerge. I am given to understand that this notion of self radicalisation may be erroneous or misleading. Sometimes it may just be a violently inclined sick mind that may develop an obsession with violence to achieve 'glory' or 'salvation'. Substance abuse and loneliness may create a disposition or an urge to want to' belong'. What ever goes into making a terrorist we need to obviously understand both for detection and prevention. Prosecution and punishment may happen after the horrific consequences as in Boston or before any harm is done as in the case of the two Surrey residents now infamously known as the alleged Canada Day Bombers. We are not always lucky as we lately have been in apprehending terrorists before they are able to do any harm. FLQ and Air India are two where those seeking to do harm succeeded.
The fact that the Surrey duo are recent converts to Islam may or may not have played any part in their terror scheme. But it is going to provide an easy target for the profilers and stereotypers. Terrorists have no religion other than terror itself. Terror is their faith. Terror is their tool. Religion or grievances , perceived or real ,may simply be an excuse for their terror. We need to make clear to everyone through our actions and words that there can be no excuse for terr These depraved minds who seek 'martyrdom' as a way to give some meaning to their lives in deaths, theirs and others', will only succeed if we let our guard down. Robust liberty and freedom are the only guarantees of a just and fair society. A vigilant police force is certainly an important part of a free society. Kudos to our police and security forces!!!