We all live in a Dangerous World by Bangkok Post 9:19am 24th Nov, 2003   24th November, 2003    The explosions that ripped apart two synagogues and downtown business offices in Istanbul were another shocking reminder that terrorism has no home, no base and no target. Many Thais noticed the details soberly: a city of 10 million, massive traffic problems, and an homogeneous, united population. If Istanbul is a target, who can be safe? United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said it best right after the Thursday bomb blasts in Turkey: ``We live in a rather dangerous world.''    Forensic experts will determine precisely what happened, and who did it. For now, it seems the hand behind the suicide bombers in Turkey is al-Qaeda. The Istanbul bombings share the hallmarks of other assaults by the international group. In Africa and Bali, in Yemen and Jakarta, terrorists killed and maimed innocent people with car bombs, in support of the Osama bin Laden gang. Once again, local groups similar to Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah have claimed responsibility under the main, international terrorist organisation.    Bin Laden and his inner circle planned and ordered the attacks in New York, Nairobi, Riyadh, Casablanca and numerous other places. They must bear responsibility for these crimes. Indeed, roughly half of bin Laden's inner circle are under arrest or under the ground. But those who excuse or support suicide bombings share blame. They have provided a flawed and insupportable rationale that some suicide attacks are good. Frequently they cite the tragic and misguided Palestinian youths who blow themselves up in order to kill defenceless and innocent Israelis. It is time to call to account such muddled thinkers.    Universal condemnation was quick after the Turkey blasts, from the United Nations and all civilised nations and their leaders. Iran and Greece, nations often at odds with Turkey, were among the first to offer sympathy and support. Inside Turkey, Jews and Muslims united even more closely. Turks quickly understood the dangers of extremist violence, and noted more Muslims than Jews died in the terrorist bombings, even at the synagogues. What remains missing is a larger, more specific community condemnation of suicide attacks that kill and maim innocent people.    The hard-line Saudi cleric Sheikh Ali al-Khudair understood that last week. He was notorious for supporting suicide bombers in other countries, and publicly called for violent terrorism. Last week, he repented on Saudi television, withdrawing ``fatwas'' to conduct terrorism and calling on extremists not just to give up their violence but to surrender. His change of heart came after suicide bombers killed 18 foreign Muslims in their Riyadh housing compound earlier this month. He joined Egyptian terrorists, the Bali bomber Ali Imron and both the Marriott hotel Jakarta bombers in agreeing that terrorism hurts innocent people and the image of Islam, and both results are unacceptable.    To many, this is already evident. Some young people, however, remain receptive to the appeals from twisted elders who fill youths with hate filled propaganda. They exploit perverted religious views to the point of murderous violence and vain, suicidal sacrifice. Others, mostly in countries yet untouched by unprovoked attacks, believe ``one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter'', or that terrorism can somehow be restricted to a battlefield and ``good causes''.    Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad last year condemned all suicide bombings, all the time. When he made the speech to other Muslim political leaders, it was seen as brave support of a controversial stand. Since then, Dr Mahathir's position has gathered strong support. It is time community and religious voices also speak out more strongly against suicide bombings and terrorism. Visit the related web page
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