Sahar Moussa

I don’t know why evil seems to be winning these days. That’s what my friend told me, referring to the massacre that took place at Istanbul’s Reina nightclub on New Year’s Eve. At least 11 victims of the attack on the upscale nightclub were from Turkey, according to Anadolu news agency, while at least 27 victims were from 13 other countries including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia, Israel, Canada and India. Dozens of people were hospitalized and a handful of the injured are in critical condition, according to CNN.

I would like to send my condolences to all the parents and families that buried their children, husbands and wives. I also would like to send a message to the terrorists. Although it was announced that Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on Twitter, in my opinion, IS is not the only outfit responsible for the death of these victims and definitely not the only terrorist group.

Reina nightclub is considered to be one of the most prominent, expensive and luxurious nightclubs in Istanbul. It is known for attracting famous singers, actors and sports stars. So it is supposed to be highly secured, with bodyguards and security cameras. So letting the terrorist shoot for around 45 minutes without any intervention is really suspicious. Secondly, there is a police station right next to the club, so again the question pops up: Why didn’t the police arrive straight away instead of waiting for 45 minutes to enter the club. So many questions, but no answers!

So dear terrorists - on this occasion, I would like to send a thank you note on your terror attacks that are masked behind your extreme religious beliefs in the name of God that only you claim to know about.

Thank you, because with every terror attack committed against civilians, you are actually uniting people.

Thank you, because with every blast you claim responsibility for, you are strengthening the bond between societies.

Thank you, because every time you kidnap and kill innocent children, women or men, you are deepening the understanding between human beings and making them stronger.

Thank you, because with every act of destruction you cause, new and bigger houses are built.

Thank you, because what politics and religion separated, with your frequent terrorist attacks, you are able to connect people with each other.

Thank you for every person who judged the martyrs that were killed just because they were having fun and celebrating inside the nightclub. You only gave them more good deeds in heaven.

I really hope that people understand that IS and other extremist parties do not represent Islam in any way. What they are doing is ferociousness, terrorism and barbarism. And Islam is a religion of peace, mercy and love.

If these people who are killing in the name of Islam know what Islam is really about, they wouldn’t dare to kill anyone, because it is mentioned in the Quran: ‘If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.’

(Al-Maeda)

IS is nothing but a group of ignorant and brainwashed people, and is not related to Islam in any way.

For all the victims who lost their lives in the attack - RIP.

By Sahar Moussa

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