Pluralism Against Terrorism: Interfaith Steps to Prevent Violence

03/23/2016 01:31 pm ET | Updated 5 hours ago
Tahil Sharma
Hindu/Sikh Interfaith Activist and Advocate for Human Rights and Social Justice

I am at a loss for words with the terrorist attacks that took place in Brussels. Our thoughts most certainly go out to the victims of this tragedy, but this magnifies our necessity to mobilize and engage communities across differences to change minds and hearts that constantly immerse themselves in ignorance and hate for the “other”.

Terrorism spares no one and does not carry an incentive for the betterment of mankind. This news, unfortunately, is being seen by the world as another day in our interconnected paradise. For a world that seems to be drawing itself closer through technology and investment, it seems to simultaneously be dividing itself for every day that passes.

In processing the aftermath of these evil acts, it is no surprise for inner “click-tivist” within all of us to begin sharing articles and photos, even changing the filters of our profile photos on social media platforms. How far does it go for people to actually invigorate a sense of responsibility before they simply become posts and Tweets on a never ending news feed? And what happens when the coverage of such events my the mainstream media seem to undermine its impact solely based on its geographic location?

Currently two different countries are mourning. But some among us are standing with one and ignoring and normalizing the other. This phenomenon was also found when the attacks in Baghdad, Beirut, and Paris took place in November.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tahil-sharma/pluralism-against-terrorism_b_9526298.html