Connecting the Dots

In May 2001 the Taliban announced that all non-Muslims in Afghanistan would be required to wear tags identifying that they were non-Muslims. The announcement brought immediate condemnation from nations around the world. India objected because the Hindu minority was being targeted. Christians around the world worried about churches being attacked. Germany objected because it was too similar to the treatment of Jews during the Nazi regime. The Taliban responded that since Afghanistan was under Sharia law that it was necessary to identify non-Muslims to protect them from enforcement of laws that applied only to Muslims. No one really believed them.
Earlier that year the Taliban had destroyed two large Buddha statues because they violated Muslim rules concerning idolatry. These large carvings were considered an international treasure and a great deal of furor was raised over the demolition of these monuments. But beyond the international outcry, nothing happened.

These were isolated events in a foreign nation. The Taliban were in a backward country and lacked the means to be a significant threat to anyone outside of their region. Political pressure was the best way to deal with them and the international community would keep an eye on them. That response was ill advised. In September the world learned how far the Taliban and their ally Al Qaeda could reach.

Fast forward to July 2014 and we see a similar event occurring in Iraq. In Mosul ISIS has ordered that all Christians must either convert to Islam, leave, or die. ISIS members have spray painted the Arabic letter N on the homes of Christians to insure that none are missed. ISIS has also destroyed important Christian sites such as the Tomb of Jonah and converted churches into mosques or outright destroyed them. The international community has been outraged, but little is being done.

There is a pattern that is easily discernible in these events. Fundamentalist Muslims will always seek to identify and mark those who are outside of Muslim. These markings are no different from the Star of David marks used by the Nazis to identify Jews. The purpose is to make it easier to round them up for execution when the final plan is put in place. They will also destroy any historic site outside of their faith. They cannot tolerate the presence, even symbolic, of a different worldview.

The important thing to keep in mind is that a worldview is involved. Al Qaeda, ISIS, and their brethren are never content to keep their beliefs to their region. They will always reach out to challenge any worldview that does not match their own. They truly believe that they are on a mission from God. At the moment ISIS is not a threat to the United States. Many are war weary and do not want to put any effort into confronting ISIS or other radical terrorists. Many, though, will change their minds when a few thousand Americans die in another terrorist attack. Terrorists are ambitious, well financed, and dedicated to a cause. They will not stop with the take over of Iraq or Afghanistan. The Taliban already views the US withdrawal from Afghanistan as a victory. ISIS believes that they have chased the US out of Iraq. They will try to capitalize on their victories and expand their borders. We must keep a watchful eye on these areas and do everything in our power to stop them. That does not necessarily mean military action, but military options must be kept within the toolbox of dealing with volatile regions. We need to be proactive with these threats because the cost is too high to deal with them as a reaction.

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.