What Does the Kenyan Mall Attack Mean for America?

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack/index.html
The smoke has yet to clear over the mall in Kenya, but there is already some information emerging that there was an American connection. Al-Shaabab, a Somalian terrorist group, has claimed that at least three of the attackers are American citizens. In fact, according to Al-Shaabab at least half of the terrorist strike team is composed of citizens of Western nations like Canada and Britain.

Somali refugees have been given asylum in the West since images of starving Somali children flooded the TV in the 1990s. America temporarily got involved in trying to fix Somalia until our own troops started dying in a conflict that we didn't really understand. While we could not fix the country, we opened our doors to help as many as we could. Many Somalis embraced the American dream, but others maintained their connections to their homeland. In fact, American intelligence sources suspect that some of the Somalis radicalized and returned to Africa to fight with groups like Al-Shaabab. At this moment we cannot be sure if Americans were involved in the attack, but that scenario is certainly plausible.

If there are people living in the United States willing to attack a shopping mall in Kenya, why not here? Unfortunately an attack on an American shopping mall is not merely a fictional plot device (though it did happen in a Tom Clancy novel), but a real concern. With the Christmas shopping season just beginning, packed malls will provide an enticing target for those who want to create mayhem and bloodshed.

It is not my intent to be an alarmist. I simply want to acknowledge the potential of a serious threat and to consider what we should do in response. We should not turn to religious intolerance or racial discrimination. A Medieval crusader mentality will accomplish nothing but a continuing cycle of bloodshed.  There are some real steps that we should take in anticipation of terrorism on American soil.

First, we must be vigilant. Individual citizens can no longer turn a blind eye to suspicious behavior in the hope that someone else will respond. If you see someone acting suspiciously or something that does not look quite right, it is okay to notify mall security. If you doubt the competency of mall security, then contact local law enforcement. This does not mean that we panic over every Taco Bell bag abandoned on a table at the food court. Simply keep your eyes open and use your best judgment to make note of potential problems. Keep in mind that most malls are gun free zones (not something that I necessarily agree with) and flagrant displays of weapons is probably a danger sign (legitimate gun owners are not going to brandish weapons at JCPennys).

Second, know how to respond to a crisis. Of course, this step assumes the fruition of the worst case scenario. The first priority in a crisis is not to take photos with your phone for Twitter. Instead of reading your Facebook feed as you enter a store or office, it would be better to take note of emergency exits and resources like fire extinguishers. Unless you are a trained Army Ranger, or your name is John McClane, your primary goal in a terrorist attack is to evade and escape from the terrorists. After you have gotten to safety contact law enforcement to give them as many details as possible before you look for the news crews.

For Christians there are a few more things we must do. Above all else we must pray. Pray for safety and for peace. Pray for the salvation of those who claim to be our enemies. We must love our neighbors and be kind to those who threaten us. True Christianity when threatened does not respond with violence, but with love. With humility and respect we must share the Gospel and support those promote the Gospel. The world is a dangerous place and while we must be vigilant, we must also respond in faith.