Friday, April 08, 2005
Cairo Bombing
Yesterday in Cairo at a busy market (Khan el Khalili), an unknown man sped into the crowd on a motorcycle and tossed a bomb...a homemade bomb filled with nails. Three people were killed, including the bomber, whose body was so mutilated that it will be difficult for authorities to identify him. A French woman and an American man were killed and 18 people were injured including three Americans. May God have mercy on them.
I am incredibly saddened by these events. Egypt relies on its tourist economy very heavily, and the Khan el Khalili is a huge tourist attraction. My opinion in this case may not matter, but I do NOT believe that this bombing was the act of a radical Muslim group. I believe, as the news stories say, that the bomb went off prematurely NEAR the al Azhar mosque, which I think must have been this man's final intended destination. It is my belief that this was actually an ANTI-ISLAM action carried out by an individual crazy person bent on changing the world.
For my friends who are still residing in Cairo, I would like to say that although it is a frightening thing seeing it in the news from America, do not be afraid of what will happen if you step outside your apartments. Go out and show the idiots that you are not afraid. If this IS anti-Islam, wear your higab with pride, ladies, and do not let them win. If it is something carried out by some stupid left-wing terrorist organization, wear your pride in your country of origin with honor, but carefully, whether you were born American or born Egyptian. There is no paradise for the bomber, regardless of what the terrorists may believe. Bombing innocent people is not God's way. That was NOT what Allah meant.
No matter what is happening in the world, between Iraq and America, Israel and Palestine, and the various, sporadic (but idiotic and cowardly) bombings elsewhere in the Middle East and in the rest of the world, may you have peace in yourself this day.
I am incredibly saddened by these events. Egypt relies on its tourist economy very heavily, and the Khan el Khalili is a huge tourist attraction. My opinion in this case may not matter, but I do NOT believe that this bombing was the act of a radical Muslim group. I believe, as the news stories say, that the bomb went off prematurely NEAR the al Azhar mosque, which I think must have been this man's final intended destination. It is my belief that this was actually an ANTI-ISLAM action carried out by an individual crazy person bent on changing the world.
For my friends who are still residing in Cairo, I would like to say that although it is a frightening thing seeing it in the news from America, do not be afraid of what will happen if you step outside your apartments. Go out and show the idiots that you are not afraid. If this IS anti-Islam, wear your higab with pride, ladies, and do not let them win. If it is something carried out by some stupid left-wing terrorist organization, wear your pride in your country of origin with honor, but carefully, whether you were born American or born Egyptian. There is no paradise for the bomber, regardless of what the terrorists may believe. Bombing innocent people is not God's way. That was NOT what Allah meant.
No matter what is happening in the world, between Iraq and America, Israel and Palestine, and the various, sporadic (but idiotic and cowardly) bombings elsewhere in the Middle East and in the rest of the world, may you have peace in yourself this day.
