Peshawar Attack

It’s been three days since the attack on the school in Peshawar. Three days since a hundred and forty school children lost their lives. Three days since the nation has been in mourning. Everywhere I go I see solemn faces. It’s as if the people are afraid to smile. If someone does let out a careless laugh they immediately quieten because how can one laugh when something so terrible happened a mere three days ago?

I can go on and one about broken dreams and crushed futures but no amount of poignant words can help ease the sorrow. I can go on and on about cowardly terrorists and rightful vengeance but it won’t take away the anger. 

It’s just that the irony of it all puzzles me.

Decades ago, when the west was fighting its war against communism they handed weapons to conservative Islamists in the tribal areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. These people were instructed to fight against Russia, which was invading Afghanistan at that time. Well, Russia was eventually defeated but these people with the weapons remained. At least, that’s what my history book says. Over time, only God knows how, the influx of weapons in the region led to the creation of the Taliban.

So, you see the irony of it all? The west played a direct role in the creation of the infamous Taliban and yet when the 911 happened the world turned against the Muslim community. I know that many people around the world, people of different cultures and religions, support the Muslim community. I know that after the hostage situation in Australia happened many good people were acknowledging how blameless the Muslims were for these happenings. But, when CNN and BBC and other countless news channels around the world keep using words like ‘Islamic Extremists’ and ‘Islamic militants’ people can’t help but associate Islam with terrorism.

But this time, once again, we’ve suffered the losses. 

Another thing that completely baffles me is how these terrorists are still alive and thriving. For years and years the Pakistan army has been carrying out operations against these militants. For years and years they’ve conducted drone strikes and ground operations. How could a couple of bearded men holed up in the mountains with a handful of weapons survive all this? Now, I don’t mean to go sprouting off conspiracy theories but all this just leads me to believe that there is someone out there supporting these terrorists-someone providing them with the intelligence, money and weapons. Some organization...maybe some country? Of course, all this is just speculation.

In the end though, my dear Taliban, you killed a hundred and forty children. Whether the purpose of this attack was to send a message to the Pakistan army or to put a stop to education I’d just like to tell you lot this. One day all of us are going to grow up and turn into educated, cultured men and women and then we’re going to put an end to all you sick bastards.

#UnitedWeStand