The Islamic State has committed all kinds of atrocities especially after it proclaimed itself as a worldwide caliphate with total control over the religious, political, and social lives of all Muslims. It has killed countless civilians and even had suicide bombers detonate themselves near local mosques and other places of worship for Muslim minorities. IS has also defiled Ramadan, the Holy month for Muslims, by attacking enemy nations as Eid al-Fitr comes. This year, however, IS reached a new low after it attacked a place held sacred by all Muslims. A day before Ramadan’s conclusion, suicide bombers attacked near the Prophet Mohammad Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s City of Medina. This particular mosque is considered the second holiest place for Muslims.
The Attack Shocked Muslims the World Over
ISIS extremists refer to themselves as Muslims though they follow their own Sharia Law based version of Islam. Their version is considered by many as the archaic and barbaric as it brings back slavery and gives women next to no rights. In fact, Islamic State’s version of Islam allows women to be sold and bartered. Despite the glaring differences, they are still calling themselves Muslims so many expected that they also respect and revere the holy places. As it turns out, the terror group does not care about such holy places as even Prophet Mohammad’s Mosque was not spared.
Long-term Aftermath of the Attack
Studies have shown that though most Muslims denounce terrorist attacks, there are some who remain apathetic and there are even some who find suicide bombings justified because the perpetrators truly believe they are carrying out jihad. The attack on the Prophet Mohammad Mosque may change these. Now that the terror group has stretched its destruction to one of the holiest Islamic places of worship, it may cause many of extremist group’s sympathisers to turn on it. Muslims are known for their dedication to their faith and attacking their holiest places means attacking the Muslims themselves. Many Muslims will likely take the attack as a declaration of war by the terror group.
Ramadan Attacks By ISIS Reveal A Devastating Reality For Muslims During This Holy Time
This Ramadan, the worst fears of many Muslims have come to life, as attacks spiked during the holy month in Muslim regions. Many blame the attacks in Iraq, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Read More…
The Attack can Backfire on ISIS
Terrorism thrives on dividing people and feeding us with hate. The attack on the Prophet Mohammad Mosque may actually cause the reverse. Many Muslims have already joined in the fight against ISIS and more will likely following after the senseless attack. ISIS is already losing ground and has lost several key strongholds in the past year. More and more countries have joined the fight and a future where IS gets cornered is finally foreseeable.
After Attacks on Muslims, Many Ask: Where Is the Outpouring?
This is not the first time that the West seems to have shrugged off massacres in predominantly Muslim countries. But the relative indifference after so many deaths caused by the very groups that have plagued the West is more than a matter of hurt feelings. Read More…
The world, especially Muslims, are still reeling from the effects of the attack on Medina but it is not hard to foresee that when everything settles down, ISis will have more enemies than it had before. ISos is a pest that needs to be eradicated and each person denouncing its acts of wanton violence and destruction, the closer we are to finally ridding ourselves of this plague.