We stand together against terrorism

Financial Times © Valery Hache/AFP/Getty

 
On 22nd was Manchester. Two months after the Westminster attack in London. Now is
London Bridge, Borough Market and Vauxhall Attacks. From Paris and Brussels to Manchester and London, seems that protecting cities from terrorism has proved to be an enormous challenge.

A sweet anticipation that came up …. to a bloody attack

A promising entertainment night that became a nightmare for almost 14,000 people in Manchester Arena. It was Ariana’s (Grande) night. 

Monday’s concert was the event, that thousands young fans were expecting. Firstly it was joy and enthusiasm. Lots of energy, especially from all youngsters. Most of them had never experienced anything like a big-time concert, there was lots of anticipation of what was to come. For some of them the entrance to the concert was a birthday present, for others a chance to enjoy their beloved pop idol, Ariana. 

A sweet anticipation that came up …. to a bloody attack. 22 people lost their lives – children and adults attending the concert. Parents were in the entrance waiting to pick up their children following the show. 116 people were injured. 

A terror Monday, a day of horror came up to remind British community and the whole world that there is existing a new era, that is not going to end easily. An attack, driven by an evil ideology, as the responsibility for what happened in Manchester, was claimed by the terrorist group “Islamic state”.
Manchester attack, the worst terrorism incident in the UK since 2005, was an incident to remind us that there is an open war.

Fight terrorism

A war that ISIS will not stop until they rule the world. The Islamic State is a lot more than a group of terrorists. An extremist and bloody group, whose aura of invincibility speaks less to their talent as it does the lacking effectiveness of their opponents, as professor Byman D., claimed. 

  
"The United States has provided billions of dollars worth of military equipment to the Iraqi army, which on paper far outnumbers and outguns IS", written in The Washington Post.

What is needed is not more of the same, as political declarations to “fight terrorism” – but a real revolution to fight the destructive forces of ISIS, starting from targeting ISIS leaders.

A decisive step would be the cutting of ISIS material support. If the United States would decide to boycott economic dealings with for example, Turkey and Qatar and any country that has any deal with ISIS.

Meanwhile, Muslim month of Ramadan, a holy month of feasting and religious devotion, started recently and will go till June 24. Needless to say that ISIS released a video message, where a jihadist, member of ISIS called for all- out -war declaring, “Where Are the Lions of War?”, motivating “Muslim brothers in Europe who can’t reach the Islamic State lands, attack them in their homes, their markets, their roads and their forums”.

The Bomber

Salman Ramadan Abedi, a 22-year-old British Muslim, born in Manchester on 31 December 1994 to a family of Libyan-born refugees. Abedi had two brothers and a sister. 

As written on The Times, Abedi had been among a group of students who had accused a teacher of Islamophobia for criticising suicide bombing. According to the BBC, 'Friends remember him as a good footballer, a keen supporter of Manchester United and a user of cannabis’. 

Neighbours described the Abedi family as very traditional and 'super religious'. A total of 16 people have been arrested in the UK in connection with the attack, including Abedi's older brother, Ismail, 24, who was arrested in Whalley Range the day after the bombing, Abedi's younger brother Hasham, 20, was detained in Tripoli on suspicion of links with the so-called Islamic State group. 

Reuters news agency told the BBC that Abedi's father, Ramadan, has also been detained Libya. Bomber's two cousins, Isaac and Abz Forjani, were both arrested the day after the attack and questioned by police for seven days. 

BBC Manchester police believe Abedi used student loans to finance his overseas traveling to Libya to learn bomb-making. Abedi, was known to British security services and police but was not regarded as a high risk, although UK Security Service MI5 launched an internal inquiry of the warnings had received about him.

One Love Manchester concert

Ariana Grande is returning back to Manchester and showing her support by joining a benefit concert. 

The earnings will go to victims and families affected by the attack, with free tickets offered to those who attended the show on 22 May. 

The concert named "One Love Manchester", will take place on 4 June at Old Trafford Cricket House, and will be broadcast live on television and radio. At the concert, Grande will perform along with megastars including Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, Take That, One Direction, Niall Horan, R&B star Usher. 

Manchester concert is an initiative of  'We Love Manchester' emergency fund, which has been set up by Manchester City Council, in conjunction with the British Red Cross. The organisers are hoping to be raised at least £2m.

Grande, said she was feeling "broken "following the deadly terror attack” on her concert, cancelled upcoming concerts of her tour and lately visited young girls injured in the shocking attack at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. 

'I'll be returning to the incredibly brave city of Manchester to spend time with my fans and to have a benefit concert in honour and raise money for the victims and their families.' 

We stand Together

Artists, volunteers, promoters, Police, Council, all relevant authorities and public show a sense of togetherness by providing the victims with their full support and standing together in the face of terrorism. 

 Manchester people have already shown acts of kindness, supporting the victims and trying not let terrorism divide them.

'The pride, strength and spirit that has been seen in the last week is testament to the character of the people of Manchester, and this has continued with the warmth and generosity of some of the world’s greatest music artists and their management teams. 

As well as all of the other people, organisations and services that are part of making the concert on Sunday 4 June happen', said David Hodgkiss OBE, Chairman of Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Published at  Evonews.com 06/2017 By Evelina Nodara